PUBLIC SERVANT REBUKED

Hokitika Guardian, 1 July 1929, Page 2

PUBLIC SERVANT REBUKED

STATEMENT ABOUT INSTITUTE I EGA BLIND. WELLINGTON, June 27. A strong rebuke to a Government servant ior having urged people not to contribute to a deserving public institution, has been issued by the Minister of Education in connection with the Jubilee Institute for the Blind Auckland, which is under his control as far as education questions are concerned.

Jn the May issue of the “Education Gazette,” Mr E. Douglas Taylor supervisor of musical education wrote an article in which lie stated that the Jubilee institute was not in need ol donations at present and that contributions could be better made elsewhere. The statement was brought under the notice of the Minister during his recent visit to Auckland and he -ms written the following letter to Mr Taylor: “The authorities in charge of the Jubilee Institute for the ' Blind at Auckland have drawn my attention to a few lines written by you in your official capacity, in which you are reported to have said that the Blind Institute in Auckland is so heavily endowed that it - is in no need of donations at present. The authorities inform me that your statement is incorrect, and they naturally object to a New Zealand official asking that prospective donations should be diverted to institutions outside this Dominion. It will probably not he necessary for me, as Minister in charge to say I hope you will refrain from making anysuch statements in future as fhey are calculated to injure an institution which has done and is.still doing such excellent work in this Dominion.