W.E.A. FUNDS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 October 1931, Page 4

W.E.A. FUNDS

CARNEGIE INSTITUTE TO THE.,,; RESCUE. (By Telegraph—Per Tress Association) WELLINGTON, October 27. A fear that there wouJd be a drastic curtailment in the . Government grantto the Workers’ Education Association was expressed by a deputation to the Minister of Education, Mr Masters, to-day. It was pointed out .that only a quarter of the estimated grant for this year lias been paid, and that the Association is about -to. make its plan for the next year The Minister Said he would look into any commitments that had bem made, but, he stressed the serious position of the Government's finances. He appreciated the work the W.E.A. was doing, but the Government found itself in the, same position as local bodies and private individuals as far as finance was concerned. In 1914, the Government had paid £3OO to each University College for W.E.A. work, but' last year the grant for the Dominion had grown to £6,190. The cost of social services had grown to such an extent that one-third of the total Government receipts went in ITs direction. Even if times had been normal, this position would have had to be investigated. As matters were the situation was infinitely worse. Professor T. A. Hunter, Vice-Chan-cellor, of Die New Zealand University, state? that a large proportion of funds tor the W.E A. work is obtained from ,/rarts ' bv local and other bodies together with Government . subsides. In view of the falling off of this source of revenue, the University has approached the Carnegie Corporation and requested a grant that would enable' the W.E.A. work to be. carried on in this difficult financial year. ..The ..Carnegie ■Corporation has advised the University that it has made a special .emergency grant of 10,000 dollars for this year, only. With the Government grants already in the Estimates, this should emable the colleges *to balance ’ their W.E.A. accounts for the year, and prevent a breakdown in a valuable system of adult education. _ The University, he said, was greatly indebted to the Carnegie Corporation for its sympathetic treatment of the requests for assistance.