SCHOOL GRANTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 779, 23 March 1905, Page 3

SCHOOL GRANTS.

* A QUESTION OF AITHOIUTY. (Per Press Association.) •' AUCKLAND, March 22. At the Education Board this morning' Ihe disposal of the building grants voted to the board was discussed. A letter was read from the .Premier in reference to a press report of his statement at New. PlymoutU, and which made certain allegations of extravagance on the part of the Education Boards in the expenditure of building funds. The Premier said tho Press Association telegram did not iqonvey an accurate report <fi his remarks. A circular was rcail from the Education Department to the effect that tho ordinary grants for school buil- , clings had been distributed in accordance with the report of the Education Committee of the House of Representatives' in 1903 and 19»4. In future it was the intention of the Government to follow the recommiondotion of the Education Committee in regard to tho distribution of building votes, and they asked , that moneys thus distributed should be expended in strict accordance with .the recommendation of the committee, and with the approbation of Parliament. Mr Pair said that it was rapidly coming to this, that the Board was toeing denuded of all power over grants entrusted to it for expenditure. It seemed to him that it was proposed to tic their haflds completely. With reference to the ordin r ary grant, . thoy should protest -aga'inst any interference by the Dep partment. It appeared to him they were simply a buffer between the Department and committees. Mr Parr moveil, "That the circular 1«j referred to the Finance Committee to report." Mr Bagnall thought the Board should not allow 'its legal power to be taken away by any circular from the Department. Mr Tarr's motion was carrio:!.