FREE BOOKS

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1930, Page 2

FREE BOOKS

MINISTER’S STATEMENT.

WELLINGTON. February 12.

Amplification of the announcement that the Government was providing free , books for the Secondary School pupils in necessitous cases was made by the Minister of Education (Hon. H. Atmore) to-day. “I have found, the Government, on the recommendation of myself, having decided to set aside a sum of money for the purchase of books for secondary school courses in necessities cases, does not appeal to be,.w generally known. One of the northern newpapers. waxed men \ over an announcement of the Government’s decision by the Hon V. B. Taverner, the newspaper declaring that this was somewhat belated new* as one of its representatives had been informed by the Secretary of the Auckland Education Board that it.had been in practice for a great many years. The newspaper added that if the Government had given assistance to parents whose children were at the secondary schools, such in innovation would have been welcomed and approved throughout New Zealand. “The supply of the secondary school books in necessitous cases was decided upon by Cabinet about three months ago.” The Minister added: “It was felt, that as the school books for. secondary courses were. much more expensive than those used in the primary schools, and that ns the scholars themselves Syere coding their parent* for their clothing and food, help at that stage was badly needed in many eases,”

CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOLS

WELLINGTON, February 12

Referring to-day to the Correspondence School of the Education Department, the Minister of Education (Hon. H. Atmore) ..stated that the secondary courses established some months ago were now in operation. The idea of this'departure was to enable hoys and girls living in rural areas, where it was impossible for them to attend secondary schools, to obtain their tuition through' correspondence. The courses were up to, and including, matriculation standard.