SCHOOLS PROBLEM

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 374, 7 June 1928, Page 8

SCHOOLS PROBLEM

WHITE CHILDREN IN NATIVE DISTRICTS BOARD CONSIDERS QUESTION Anxious not to raise the “colour line” between Maori and European pupils, members of the Auckland Education Board nevertheless consider that white children should be allowed to be conveyed past native schools in some districts. Complaints that children were cor* veyed to Kaitaia school from neigibourhoods in which there are nati'4 schools have reached the ears of t)« Department of Education. The department stated that vary careful consideration had been fiv-« to representations for the alteration in the policy of refusing to make any distinction between native schools awi ordinary public schools, in the attendance and conveyance of children. Neither the board nor the department had any power to make such a dis* tinction, as Section 69 (1) of the Act clearly laid down that a native school was a public school for those P®’ poses. The chairman, Mr. A. Burns, said that there were two considerations involved. The likelihood of skin disease and the fact that schools were a standard behind u* public schools. Mr. H. S. W. King: We should see that no distinction is drawn betwee# the two races. It might cut boti ways. We should ask the department, if it is possible to convey the children to public schools in spite of tee section. _ Mr. J. Boddie also pointed out me seriousness of making distinctions pe* tween the two races. No reflect*® should be cast on the native chilaw . who were well able to take their pia# by their white brothers. . “Native children need special tr ment and special instruction,” said • R. Hoe. “It is clearly recognised " part of the force of the Empire, each native race should receive special education. It was stated that white childrei were being held back by attends at native schools. > Mr. King’s suggestion was adopts