NOT “DEMOCRATIC”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 505, 7 November 1928, Page 16

NOT “DEMOCRATIC”

CONTROL OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CRITICISED ‘•This shows that the department is not adhering to the principles of democratic government, ’ declared Mr. H. S. W. King at the Auckland Education Board today. The criticism followed on advice be- ! ing received from the department | that, as “only seven’’ boards out of a I total of nine were in favour of a proposal to alter the existing method of checking voluntary contributions from schools, the alteration would not be carried out. The board had suggested that the statutory declaration by a school committee that certain moneys had been raised should be accepted. At present the actual amount raised has to be forwarded to the board. The chairman, Mr. A. Burns, said there was a wilful waste of money in exchange at present. As business men members ■wanted to alter the wasteful method. The department took no notice of the Council of Education’s opinion. Mr. King: It does not take notice of the Council of Education or anyone else. Instead of receiving this we should write regretting that the department is not acting on democratic principles. I think it is a shame. Mr. T. U. Wells: One of the seven boards is Auckland, which controls a quarter' of the education of the Dominion. It was decided to reply to the department on the lines of Mr. King s motion.