SCHOOL COMMITTEES’ ASSOCIATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1949, 8 March 1919, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEES’ ASSOCIATION.

Tire fprarlerly meeting of the Manawatu School Committees' Association was held at Palmerston on Thursday night. Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., presided, and there was a good attendance, most of the district school committees being represented.

The chairman, in opening the meeting, said that the' epidemic had interfered with the regular working of the Association, but since the last meeting the executive hud met artd dealt with some matters. As far as educational matters were concerned, the hurried legislation during the last session had prevented their proper discussion in Parliament, but he thought the meetings held simultaneously by school committees throughout the Dominion had probably helped to increase the education vote, although the increase was nothing compared with what was wanted. He hoped the Association would impress on the Government the necessity of further helping, and he himself would leave no stone unturned in Parliament to push educational matters forward. The Teachers’ Association had also done good work, and they, too, were imbued with the idea of the betterment of the children in the primary schools. He referred to the good work done by the late secretary, Mr 11. J. Keys, and said it was a matter of general regret that he had passed away, but be thought his place would he ably tilled by Mr H. C. Le Grange. A resolution of sympathy was then passed with the widow and family of the late Mr Keys. The Canterbury School Committees’ Association wrote forwarding copies of correspondence which passed between it and the Mew Zealand Educational Institute in regard (o a discussion which took place at a meeting of the Institute in M eliiugion, on the “Usefulness or otherwise of School Committees,” The letter from the Institute to the Canlerburv Association stated that the ream rks complained of had only been spoken casually, and that the executive could not he responsible for the expression ol opinion hy individuals. At (ho same time, however, it was pointed out that the Institute would resent any attempt to resricl the right of its members to freedom of speech when discussing educational matters.

The paragraph referred to, over which some correspondence has taken place in local newspapers, was as follows: “Generally, school committees were made up of men of mediocre intelligence, who met together at regular intervals lo indulge in occasional squabbles, or perhaps to arrange for the payment of the charwoman who cleaned on! the school under their control.' The reading of the correspondence caused amusement and discus-

sion, but the chairman thought the matter had been put very (dearly, end considered Unit no liuiher action need be taken in (be mailer, as far as Palmerston was concerned, the Association was on splendid terms with the Teachers Institute, and worked in with them. .Mr H. -I, Canton said that his views had already appeared in the. press, but be did not think eommitleemeii were ignoramuses. They did (heir work voluntarily, and with the best interests of the .children al heart.

Mr Hornblow said there were times when things had to he said which teachers did not like, and the teacher took his opportunity when tie got in conference to hit back. At the same lime, credit must be given to the Educational Institute for promoting interest in educational affairs, but teachers should be careful not to make statements reflecting on committeemen which caused bitterness, while they also compromised (lie Educational Institute.

It was decided to forward (lie following additional remits to the Dominion Conference of School Committee Associations: (I) That this Association is Strongly of opinion that a central hall should be an integral part of all new school buildings, and that representations be made to the Education Department, that in all cases where schools arc built, the English model should be adopted. (2) That this Association, while appreciating the additional grant recently made, is strongly of'opinion that the grant should lie continued, as the capitation allowed is inadof|iiate for carrying on the complete work connected with schools.

Some strong remarks were made by members when (lie foregoing remit came up for discussion, in regard to the paucity of grants for school repairs, and the delay on the part of the Board in giving effect to urgent requirements of commit-. tees. _ . The question of a combined schools sports gathering was brought up, hut the chairman pointed out that something similar had been arranged for in the peace celebration-;, No action was taken in the matter, except that it was decided to have it discussed at the annual meeting.- of hou-elmklers.

The chairman made rcteronce to (he resolutions passed at the last meeting in regard to increased educational grants. They had received an increase, Iml it was not sufficient, and the question was: Mere they going to agitate for more? The increase in capitation to school committees was also referred (o, and it was pointed out that the comrnltees had no guarantee that it would be permanent. The matter was discussed at some length, and it was eventually decided to refer it to the Dominion Conference. On the motion of the chairman it was also decided to write to the Teachers’ Institute, advising

them of the Association’s action in the matter. The chairman and Mr Hornblow were appointed delegates to attend the Dominion Conference, to ho hold in April. It was decided to Hold the annual meet ing in June. The appointment of'an auditor was left in the hands of the chairman. i: ’ Prior to the close of the meeting several members congratulated the chairman on his election to Parliament, and a congratulatory vote to this effect was carried with acclamation.