UNIFORMITY OF SCHOOL BOOKS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 396, 31 March 1908, Page 2

UNIFORMITY OF SCHOOL BOOKS.

The question of uniformity of school books has received the attention of school committees throughout the Dominion, at different times, through parents in poor circumstances who remove from one educational district to another, complaining because they are compelled to buy a new set of b.oks for their children. The question, however, has been discussed by Inspectors and Education Boards from quite another view point. Many committees and boards contend for uniformity of school hook 1 -, throughout the whole of the Stale Schools in the Dorainkn. Otago and Canterbury Boards arc opposed to the system of uniformity. At the last meeting of the Wellington Education Board a resolution was carried, on the casting vote of the Chairman, affirming the principle of uniformity. At the same meeting Mr A. W. Hogg, M.P., opposed the motion because it represented an attempt on the part of the central authority to interfere with the privileges of the Board. Competition said Mr Hogg, was tfrg life of trade, and rivalry was the life of Education. Uniformity might look very well, but it signified stagnation.— There is much sound reason in Mr Hogg's rcma'ks.