Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, SEPT. 19, 1896. School Buildings.

Manawatu Herald, 19 September 1896, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, SEPT. 19, 1896. School Buildings.

■•■ Daring all the turmoil in Parlia ment it is distressing to those outside to find that some of the most im portant wants are overlooked* We have the report of the farce that was permitted to take place on Wed nee day over the Old Age Pensions Bill, which the Premier quickly dropped directly the slightest alteration wa3 macle in his proposal** y^i-Jbo oahuty--iubeuded fed impose an additional burden of taxation amounting to £500,000 upon the people. We are not going to discuss this measure, as though, tin theory most laudably better heads in other countries are perplexed how to make alloondition3 meet. Why we mentioned it, was to 3how that the Premier and Colonial Treasurer seems to be of the opinion that half a million of money is but a bagatelle, a sum which would be in no way burdensome upon the settlers. This is most satisfactory if it is fo, but their actions in other directions do not bear out their statements. We hava. our much belauded system of education, and though most unsatisfactory from our point of view, it undoubtedly is made more unsatisfactory than -it need be owing to thtf Boardr- 6 eiiig starve:! for money to erect the necessary schools in new Now we have one well" known fact that everyone, high and low, rich and poor, are supposed-^*, eon-tribune- towards the funds; *<# it follows, as night "follows i dYy, that a very large number of people have their expenditure without any corresponding advantage to themselves, from want of schools. It a is ltost I disheartening fact to those who urge Ehe people to settle upon the land to find that by so doing parents are urged to do that which must be "most disadvantageous to their child rep. We .have a striking instance in the Wanganui Education Board, which, owing to the numerous bush settlements, is fettered in its action in providing schools for the settlers from the want of money. An urgent need of some JG7OOO is shown, yet last year the Board received only 4J8.800. We are not prepared to say whether the total sum allotted for buildings is sufficient, but if so, the distribution is bad, as this instance niake3 rao9t clear. As the present system of education finds so much favour with the people who are. able to take advantage of it, it seems an intensely selfish act on the part of the taxpayers to deny to those who are placed differently to themselves the monies necessary for school buildings, and we sincerely trust Parliament will, before the session closes, give a few hours consideration to this very important question. We believe due attention to the want 3of settlers in the back country in this respect would materially assist the opening up of our lands, and thus assistance granted on its I own merits would also advance the ' development of the colony in the j I manner so frequently recommend id. >