FORMER MINISTER CASTIGGTES GOVT.

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 53, 24 October 1931, Page 3

FORMER MINISTER CASTIGGTES GOVT.

("Post" Speeial Commissioner)

EDUCATION VOTE ECONOMICS MAY BE AT THE EXPENSE OF CHILDREN OPPOSITION CRITICISM

WELLINGTON, Thursday. Strong exception to tne House being asked to deal with the estimates in their present form before the Government had given any indication of the economies it was proposed to make, was voiced in the House today and a hostile amendment was moved from the Opposition benehes in protest. The Labour Party had the support of the Independent group and interest was added by the protest made by the ex-Minister of Education, Mr. H. Atmore (Nelson), against what he termed a departure from Liberal principles. Mr. G. C. Black (Masterton) asked whether Grade O and Grade 1 schools were to be cut out by the economy measures which were to be put into operation in the Education Department, and asked whether an outline of economies to be made could be given to the House. Righfc to Know

The members had a right to know the extent of economies when they were considering the estimates. The Minister of Native Affairs, the Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata, said that economies would be shown in the supplementary

estimates. Mr. H. Atmore Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central), said that the position was a most farcial one. They were discussing estimates which were going to be reduced and they did not know the extent of the reduction. In its economy campaign, the Government was apparently using rule of thumb methods. In The Dark Mr. J. O'Brien (Westland), said that they were completely in the dark. It would have been much better if the Government or somebody else had worlced overtime and had given them all the estimates together. They would then know what they were voting for. The Minister of Finance, the Hon. Downie Stewart, said it was impossible to present all the estimates at one time, as the position was eontinually changing. The bulk of the estimates would not be changed. The efficiency of the Department was being watched and when economies were being made it was impossible to present all the estimates at present. Not Done Before The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. H. E. Holland, said the House was asked to vote a sum of money considerably. in excess of what was required. They were told that the matter would he adjusted in the Supplementary Estimates, but that was something that had never been done before. "We are Teaching the end of the life of this Parliament; we have four weeks at the outside to go, unless legislation is introduced extending the life of Parliament," said Mr. Holland. The whole business of the country is being held up for party political purposes. We are entitled to know what reductions are proposed . Mr. Holland then moved that progress should be reported to enable the Government to provide a schedule of reductions which it was proposed to

make in the estimates. Mr. C. A. Wilkinson (Egmont) asked why it was that the Public Accounts Committee had not been set up until a few days ago. ."I also want to know why last year's chairman, Mr. J. T. Hogan, has been dropped," said Mr. Wilkinson, "I have also been dropped from the committee." Mr. Samuel (Thames) : "You have joined the Labour Party." The Prime Minister, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, said- the Labour Party could not be expected to tako up any other attitude than that which it had. The estimates they were working on were estimated for the year and it might not be necessary to alter them. It was not possible to bring down any statement yet as to what might happen to them. The Labour Party was opposed to any economies that would bring the country out of its present difflculties, Mr. Forbes said. The Labour Party was willing to take advantage of every opportunity of destroying and misrepresenting. The Minister of Finance had given a very reasonable explanation of the whole position. If the Labour Party had its way, it would increase the diffieulties of the country ten times. The Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata said that in previous years reductions. in various votes had been shown in the supplementary estimates. I don't think the Prime Minister has answered the objeetions by criticising the Labour Party said Mr. H. Atmore, He was strongly opposed to

. any reduction in the Education vote, and private members who represented as many people as the Minister, had the right to know the position. The Minister of Education had said that it was intended to reduce the vote by £400,000. "I am not a disgruntled ex-Minister," said Mr. Atmore, "but at the risk of being charged, as a disgruntled ex-Minister, I am retaining the right to criticise the expenditure or non-expenditure of the' Government." Expense of Children Mr. Atmore said that 81 per cent of the Education vote was spent on teachers' salaries which had already been reduced.- The proposed saving would thns have to he made in another direction and it was feared that it would be accomplished at the expense of the children. Apparently some members of the Government did not realise the differ,ence between reductions and true economy. He desired as much as anyone to see that they got 20 shillings in the £ for their expenditure, but 81 per cent. of the vote went in teachers salaries and out of the vote last year, £68,000 had been expended on Massey College and £153,000 on State Wards. The Liberal policy in regard tq Education was being departed from; but he did not know at whose dictation. The free place system in secondary schools inaugurated by the late Mr. Seddon, had placed New Zealand! in the f orefront of the world and now there were rumours that that system; was being threatened. The amendment was def eated by 4?* to 25,