PROGRESS OF EDUCATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2845, 12 February 1925, Page 3

PROGRESS OF EDUCATION.

SIR JAMES PARR’S STATEMENT

"Litres ting reference to the progress of education in New Zealand was made by Sir James Parr (Minister of Education) in reply to congratulations tendered him by members oif the Canterbury Education Board on his elevation to Knighthood at Christchurch last week.

Sir James pointed out that the expenditure on education had increased from something over a million pounds in 1914 to three and a-half millions this year. The expenditure per head of tli population last year in New Zealand was £2 10/5. In Australia it was £1 10/10; in New South Wales £1 14/9; in Victoria £1 5/9, and in England £1 11/-. In America and some of the provinces of Canada they were going in for palatial'school buildings and the expenditure per head in some of the States would be £lO but that would be mainly capital expenditure for buildings. In the past few years a great deal had been done in New Zealand in the matter of improving the school buildings. The remodelling of the older was making things much better for the children. Opinions of visitors who were competent to express an opinion were that the Dominion’s new schools would compare with anything abroad. “I am giving open air schools a fair run,” added Sir James, “and we will see. Let us not be afraid to experiment. In a year’s time we should know more about it. Maybe your enthusiasts here have discovered something that is going to revolutionise the school buildings in New' Zealand. On the other hand parents may be clamouring to have the other sides put in. In the meantime, my attitude is one of kindly benevolence and support.”