The Daily News. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1914. EDUCATIONAL DISTRICTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 205, 27 February 1914, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1914. EDUCATIONAL DISTRICTS.

Tho liope expressed by Mr. James Allen to the deputation from.the Taranaki Education lioard which waiti 1 lipon liini on Wednesday that in the rearrangement of the North Island (education lioard districts Taranaki would i not bo sacrificed will be eelioed by the people of this district. In the light of past experience, we are afraid, hoiverer, that unless Taranaki bestirs itself more than is its wont we will be "loft" or side-tracked once again. The deputation placed before the Minister a scheme drawn up by tho Taranaki Board inspectors, and revised by the Board, extending the 'boundaries of the present, district to what is practically the southern provincial boundary, namely, Patea, to a point a little beyond the provincial northern boundary, namely, Kawliia,. thus taking in part a of the Wanganui and Auckland districts. The suggestion is an eminently sound and practicable one, for it meets tho considerations of contiguity, community of interest and communication—considerations which, as one member of tile Board rightly said, were essential to the success of any new arrangement of boundaries. An alteration of the kind should have been made years ago. At. present the educational affairs of the thickly-populated southern portion of the province are in the hands of the Waiiganui Board. No logical reason can be advanced as to why they should be. In the early days, when communication between northern and southern Taranaki was difficult, it no doubt was more convenient to administer tiio educational, as well as the postal affairs of south Taranaki from Wanganui, but that- consideration no longer obtains, and has not obtained for many years past. Taranaki should administer the educational institutions within its own borders, and that it has not been permitted to in the past is no credit to our legislative representatives or the chief educational authorities. Taranaki, as a matter of common fact, has been altogether too meek and mild about this and other matters, being apparently afraid to assert its rights and hold out until it secured them, whilst other districts have been clamoring and holding and seeking ndvantages at Taranaki's expense. We do not refer specifically to educational matters. Auckland is always encroaching-. It has become a habit with it to expect and grab everything within, and beyond, its reach. It does so unblushingly, as if it were a perfect right, and against weak opposition like that presented in the past by Taranaki, the policy liaH been fraught with considerable advantage and success to itself. It is just about lime Taranaki asserted itself and resisted this encroachment. If we do not watt# up and act, through our Parliamentary representatives and individually ami collectively, we will see our Education Board wiped out of existence. Geographical and other considerations will not necessarily weigh with the Department or the Cabinet in determining the new educational boundaries. "Pull" counts more, and Auckland and Wanganui, one may be sure, will not be slow to exercise all the "pull' in their power. Auckland, avaricious and ambitious, will want a slice of tUs district; Wanganui, which is one of the most efficient and progressive boards in the Dominion—a model in many respects for the other boards—will, naturally enough, fight hard to preserve its identity. Wellington must have its district, and Ilawke's Bay is entitled just as much as Taranaki to its district. Which then, is to be cut out, if tho Government proceed with the idea of cutting out one of the 'boards in the North Island? On geographical grounds Wanganui is the only board that can be extinguished. But is there -such a violent hurry or imperative necessity for reducing the number of Boards in the North Island? Cannot that end in view—a desire to give teachers greater scope and better opportunities—be met by treating them more liberally in regard to salaries and general conditions? A re-arrangement of boundaries is certainly necessary, especially in the case of Taranaki, as we have pointed out above, and we hope, that whatever the fate of the scheme the Government have in mind, effect will be given to this much-needed improvement.