CRITICAL PERIOD AHEAD.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3487, 15 May 1920, Page 5

CRITICAL PERIOD AHEAD.

lIYTERESTING OBSERVATIONS BY THE PREMIER-.

Speaking to the conference of educafionalists on Thursday, the Prime ;\lTillister sounded what some may regard as a note of warning respecting New Zeu]:nld's financial position.

He remarked that it. was sometimes said the Government and Pa.rliament were not doing enough for education. He admitted the charge so ‘far as the war period was concerned. We had not done with that period even now. We stili had a somewhat critical time to pass through. !He would not stress the fact. of our very heavy responsibilities because with good management this country could face its responsibi--lit‘ies——could carry the very great burden that was upon it. He had no desire to see education made a party question, and every Government he had been acquainted with had been willing to do its full share for education. Regarding salaries last .s:essioll, increases amounting to £330,000 ponycar were made. He did not say that was too much, and he only menfioxled the matter to show that Parliament wa.s \viiiing to do its duty. There would be more legislation for education when the House met; he was sure the new Minister would see I'o that. ‘

’1‘l1:1.t, morning he 11:16] been dealing with the question of superannuation. He s:-zicl that the payment was £43,000 per your. and up to the present the <-ontrihutio_n of tencfliers was £1,100,000. He did not say they were doing too much, for money spent on education was well spent. There could be no better purpose. Though we might have :1 little financial difficulty——he hoped we would not———befol'e we got our of the present period, "the Government. and Parliament would do its full duty so far as the education I‘equirements of the conpntlfy' were concerned. There had been 3. great deal of crilicism n.bonf school buildings, and he did not wonder. Last season it mm :ng'ree(l to speml £750,000 per s'ear for four _Veal‘.~a (£3,000,000 in all) on buildings for education purposes. He hoped Tlwy wouldho able to find that money —--he thought. the}? could——and if they did no one would he better pleased than he.—N.Z. 'l‘imes_ 0