EDUCATION COMMISSION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 27, 1 June 1915, Page 7

EDUCATION COMMISSION.

Peh Pbess Association. Welington, May 31. The Education Commission sat at Wellington to-day. The Hon. J. G. W. Aitken, chairman of the Wellington Education Board, said his board considered that Cook Strait interposed a natural barrier to an administrative union with Nelson and .Marlborough of such a nature that the strait should continue to form the southern boundary of the district. The board was well aware that,"' subject to administrative convenience, a larger area was more economical!v and efficiently managed by one th»i by .several bodies, but the increase " area should certainly be determined by considerations of administrative efficiency, including fair opportunity for promotion, which, of course, was an important factor of efficiency, as provision was made in the Education Act of 1914 for the immediate creation of a Dominion grading of teachers. The argument in favor

of an even distribution of the higher positions in the service amongst the different districts had, in fact, lost much in force since the 19]2 commission reported. "Regarding the arrangement of districts in the North island," said Mr Aitken, "my board is not keenly desirous of increased territory. If, however, as seems probable, a. reduction in the number of North Island boards is made, my board ventues to suggest that a reasonable redistribution of territory appears to be :_

"(a) The union of Wanganui and Taranaki.

" (b) An extension of Hawke's Bay by tlie transfer from Auckland of a part of the country south of the Bay of Plenty.

"This would permit of an expansion of the Wellington district northward, say over two counties to the west and two of the oast of the range. This could be administered from Wellington with ease."

Mr T. R. Fleming, chief inspector, said tli.it the Dominion grading scheme of certificated touchers to ho brought into force under the Act would to a largo extent, determine hoards in relation to the appointments of teachers. Administrative convenience and efficiency must he considered when the boundaries were being formed, It did not so much matter where the teacher was employed, as his grading would give him due consideration when apply, ing for other positions. It was not

necessary to have a fair proportion of good schools in a district to ensure good appointments for a board's teach-