INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FEES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 20 May 1907, Page 2

INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FEES.

DIFFICULT \VOI!K OF COLLECTING. ■ Per Presg Association. "Wellington, May 19. In the course of an interview on the fact that for some time past magistrates in different parts of the colony have been commenting oil the system adopted by the Education Department ill collecting moneys from parents whose children have been committed to industrial schools, the Minister for Education, the Hon. G. Fowlds, said the position is one of considerable difficulty. As a matter of fact, there are over fiOO orders in operation against, parents, and very few of tlieni are regularly satisfied. If ft statement of arrears were issued from the Department every three weeks, we would have to send out to the police over 10,(1(10 every year. This would mean that a staff of clerks would be required, and the police force would have to be increased largely all over the country, especially in larger towns. It should be borne in mind that not only do parents have to be hunted up, but reports have to be written respecting each case liv the police officer who has the collection of money in hand. Some four years ago the work of collection, which had previously been in the hands of the managers of schools, was taken over by the Department, with very satisfactory results. During that time the recoveries increased from. tiIJJOO to £3500 per annum. The time of one officer of the Department is given entirely to the work, and each case is dealt with upon its merits.