OTAHUHU’S PROTEST

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1042, 5 August 1930, Page 10

OTAHUHU’S PROTEST

CENTRALISED CONTROL FOR EDUCATION OTHER SECTIONS APPROVED Considering that the whole trend of the report of the special committee set up to investigate education control in the Dominion was toward centralisation, /which members considered to be against the best interests of the community, the Otahuhu District School Committee decided at a special meeting yesterday to oppose the recommendations in this direction. The chairman, Mr. C. R. Petrie, said there were many suggestions which would appeal to the committee, but on other questions it was evident that the view taken by the Auckland Education Board was the correct one. The committee has opposed centralisation in the past and would continue to do so. The following resolutions were passed: “(1) This committee offers its congratulations to the Minister of Education for his earnest endeavours improve the education facilities in New Zealand, as expressed in the Recess Education Committee’s report. (2) We are in full agreement with section 1 of this report. (31 W"e are of opinion that the unification of control of the existing primary, secondary and technical education in New Zealand is desirable. (4) That the implied recommendation in the report for the centralisation of the education system of the Dominion is a retrograde one. and should not be incorporated in the bill until after a conference takes place between the Minister of Education and representatives from the various education boards of the Dominion. (5) Further, the committee is of opinion that wider powers should be granted school committees, such powers to cover:—(a) Full liberty in spending its own funds: (b) increased capitation: (cl more generous subsidy on all moneys raised locally: (d) two years of office: (e) the final vote in selection of teachers.” Copies of these resolutions are to be sent to the Minister of Education, the Auckland Education Board, and Ml. A. W'. Hall, M.P.