SCHOOL TEXT BOOKS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 304, 18 August 1932, Page 4

SCHOOL TEXT BOOKS

The action of the Minister of Education (Hon. R. Masters) in extending the unexpired contract for the supply of school textbooks by a further f our-year period, undoubtedly calls for scrutiny and appears to justify the protest made by the member for Eden (Mr. A. J. Stallworthy) . On his own statement, the extension was made by the Minister in return for a 22} per cent reduction in retail prices with the firm concerned, but a much more full and detailed statement than this is required. Any dealings of this nature with a private firm are particularly open to criticism, and whatever may have been his object, Mr. Masters has not been well advised in the metbods he has pursued in this particular case. As Mr. Stallworthy pointed out, it is possible that the Minister, while eifecting an immediate reduction, will in the | long run place an extra burden j upon parents as a result of his | action. The retail price of school j text-books, and in fact of all books, is at present falling, and i if present indications may be taken as a guide, will continue to fall. In binding the department by an extended contract, the Minister has contracted to pay a set rate for five and a half years (the contract has still 18 months to run) , and it is very possible that over that period, the 22 } per cent. reduction se- ; cured will be overtaken. If this ! is the case, the additional cost | will be placed upon the parents j who already have been called ; upon to pay altogether too much | for the equipment of their children. Quite apart from this aspect of the case, however, this contract extension is another example of the arbitrary powers employed by Ministers of the Crown in matters relating to public expenditure. We have repeatedly drawn attention to the abuses of the Order in Council system and this is another committment which savours very much of the same methods. On the facts as they are known at present, it would appear to be a much more businesslike arrangement to purchase the books on a renewable contract from year to year. Under the present changing market conditions, no private firm, we venture to suggest, would bind itself over a long term on a. set scale price. Mr. Masters attained political eminence on a reputation as a business man and it wonld be illuminating to have his explanation in that capacity.