NEW PLYMOUTH SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 December 1918, Page 2

NEW PLYMOUTH SCHOOLS.

"MUCH TALIS AND LITTLE ACTION?'

TARANAKI MEMBERS CRITICISE

THE MINISTER,

By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent. Wellington, Sov. 30. Speaking in the House of Representatives early this morning on tlie education estimates, Mr. c. A. Wilkinson (Ejjmont) demanded, that more should he done for the country schools. He said that an exceedingly tad stato of affairs existed at the West End School, -New Plymouth, where the children were crowded and the playground was in wet weather a mere -quagmire. Mr. S. G. Smith (Taranaki) said the people of New Plymouth had agitated long and in vain to induce the Government to do its duty. They had now, through the Borough Council, presented to the Government four and a-half acres of the only fiat land in the town reserve, fie hoped there would be no further delay in .providing proper facilities for th 9 education of the children.

The Minister for Education (Hon. J. A. Hanan) said that the school had been erected and its site had Seen chosen by the Education Board. The Department was not responsible. It was being asked now to re-model the unsatisfactory 'buildings at great cost. The amount of money available would not go very far. The Finance Minister had provided an extra £304),000, making a total'sum of £400,000 for school buildings, but that would not do everything. With regard to the New Plymouth school, the Department liadi agreed to pay £IOOO aa a subsidy. He thought that, having regard to the great need of schools all over the country, the New Plymouth people had done very well. Mr. Wilkinson asked why £SOOO had been voted for the New Plymouth High School last year and not spent, and why only £2OOO was being voted this year.

The Minister said the other £3OOO was on the Public Works Estimates. The money had not been spent last year because Cabinet had not approved the expenditure. Mr- Wilkinson: (But Parliament voted the money. It is an extraordinary position- Mr. Wilkinson proceeded to protest against the lack of conveniences in the houses provided by teachers and the lack of reasonable grounds and cover at country schools. Mr. Smith said tho Minister bad not given a satisfactory answer. A school had been mentioned where 500 children were herded on a quarter of an acre of land. The plan of that school was all right, but the building was on the wrong site. The Taranaki Education Board was not to Wame for anything that was wrong at the West End School. Mr. Wilkinson referred to the "disgraceful sanitary conditions" prevailing at some of the schools. At one school there were tc-n lavatories for G4O children, 250 of whom were infants. If a plague broke out in that district, the people would know where to look for the cause. The schools were not getting the attention they ought to get, and there were some people beginning to say that the Minister for Education had much talk and no action. If members could not improve these matters, the electors would clear them out- It was not right thiit Parliament should vote money and the Government then fail to spend it. Mr. -T. Payne (Grey Lynn) said tne "Minister did not deserve all tTie blameIf members of the House had enough backbone, they could force the Government- to do the right thing. Mr Wright (Wellington Suburbs). How could it be done?

Mr Pavne replied that the members could hold a meeting that morning, reach a decision, and announce it to the Government, with an instruction to obey or resign.

The Minister for Education said he hoped during the recess to do some talking and to .enlighten the people' as to various matter*. TTo would put the saddle on the rigrlit horse. The Education department had provided a sum of £9500 for the New Plymouth 'High School, for the education of 200 hoys. He would have something to say to education boards about. C' e maintenance of school buildings and teachers' residences. He hoped that, what he would sav dining the recess would living about some improvements.