SCHOOL TEXT-BOOK

Hokitika Guardian, 18 August 1932, Page 6

SCHOOL TEXT-BOOK

EXTENSION OF CONTRACT CRITICISED AUCKLAND, August 16. Ah extension of four years of the unexpired contract for the supply of primary school text-books / has been granted by the Government, according to information received by Mr A. J. Stallwbrhy, M.P., from the Minister (the Hon. R. Masters). ' - The Minister said that the present contract had still eighteen months to run, and the extension of four years h&d been giyen im return for a 224 per cent: reduction ! in the': retail prices. Ha;s times been norma], he' would’have jthe preparation of a new set of books by the Education Department, but. to force parents to purchase a new set of books at this time would entail unduly heavy expense. Mr Staliworthy strongly criticises the Minister’s .action, saying that the Minister has paid a heavy price for the immediate reduction,, and, with prices falling, the arrangement is likely to prove very costly to parents.

The .'attitude of the- Canterbury School Committees’ Association ex-, pressed at a general meeting last Wednesday night, is that the Minister for Education in arranging for the §upply of text-books without giving public notice of his intention ha committed a breach of faith. According to an officer of the association, the Minister promised that before the time came "for a renewal of the contract for .school books the whole matter would be. carefully reviewed, and before a, decision was made the action proposed would be announced. A motion calling upon the Minister to make an immediate announcement - whether on . the expiry of the present contracts the Department would take over the copyrights of the books has been forwarded to him at Wellington'; but no reply has so far been received. j. -