EDUCATION POLICY

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1930, Page 8

EDUCATION POLICY

ADDRESS BY MINISTER.

EXPLANATION OF PROPOSED

CHANGES

NELSON, November 11

The Hon Harry Atmore, Minister of Education, delivered an address on the Education Report at Motucka last evening before a large and representative meeting of teachers, school committeemen and parents. Air E. P. Irevena, a member of the Nelson Education Board was in the chair.

Air Trevena said that a report bad been framed the adoption ot which would prove of tremendous assistance in improving the educat.on system. Ihe report was of such a nature that it had brought forward certain criticism. .*ie Minister was there for the purpose of replying to that critic.sm and to let them know clearly and distinctly what the proposed changes were. He was sure they all appreciated the keenness and the great amount of energy displayed by the Minister in his work Everyone knew lie was thoroughly conscientious, that his heart and soul were in his job and above all, that lie placed the interests of the children paramount.

All' G. C. Black, ALP. who is a member of the Parliamentary Education Committee, said the Alinister was the mainspring of the reorganisation referred to. There had been certain criticism but it would have been a very poor report indeed had /it not provoked some criticism and the fact'/tlnit it had been widely commented ‘ upon by the Press proved that it was a worth while task. Air Atmore was to be congratulated in bringing about the proposed reorganisation and for submitting it to the widest franchise possible. The Minister then spoke at considersable length.

Air S. G. Smith, secretary of the Alotueka School Committee, speaking on behalf of his committee said Air Atmore had explained the report in a very able manner. They had been rather in the dark as to the exact meaning if the report. They had seen reports in the newspapers both for and against the report, and it was difficult to arrive at a proper perspective. However, after hearing the Minister’s address they were in a much better position to judge the excellence of the recommendations.

xhe report had been framed by tlie Recess Committee, which comprised, members representing the various parties in the House and the Alinister had told them that there was not a single tlivis on on any phase of it. He had no hesitation in saying that the adoption of the report would prove of very great benefit to the Dominion. He moved the following resolution:—

“That this large and representative meeting of school committees’, teaching staffs and. parents of the Motueka district desires to thank the Alinister of Education for his very eloquent and lucid address on the Education Report of the Recess Committee of the House and is of opinion that the Minister and the committee have rendered very signal service to the country in organising and bringing up to date the education policy of New Zealand, and further, that if the report is adopted by Parliament, it cannot fail to have far-reaching and beneficial effects to New Zealand.”

AH H. Hart, a member of the Alotueka School Committee, seconded the resolution.

Mr D. L. Drummond, speaking on behalf of the Riwaka School Committee, endorsed tlie resolution. A,s a committee they did not altogethei fall :n with the report when it was brought down, hut after listening to the Minister’s address and particularly his reply to the criticisms, lie thought his committee would be more favourable and accept the report. Mr F. A. Carling who represented the Tasman School Committee and who spoke from the point of view of the smaller schools, said that his committee thoroughly endorsed the report They were particularly pleased with the recommendation to finish the primary stage of education at eleven. Thus it would be of tremendous advantage to the small schools, where perhaps there were only four or five children in the upper standards. The scheme would enable these children to take their part iiy school games, and

in his opinion that was a very important part of their education. He hoped the Minister would bring the scheme into operation as early as possible and convey their children to Moteuka and not wait for live years as alleged by one of the critics. He was strongly in favour of consolida-

tion. The resolution was carried unanimously.