TARANAKI SCHOOL COMMITTEES ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 June 1919, Page 5

TARANAKI SCHOOL COMMITTEES ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE.The annual conference of the Taranaki School Committees' Association was held at the Technical College yesterday, when Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., presided over a very representative attendance, there being present: Mrs. Jemisos (Tajiki), Messrs G. H. Dolby (Central), W. W. Thomson and J. Garcia • (West End). E. S. Sage (Hawera), Ira J. Bridger (Eltham), W. G. Shoemark and D. Jordan (Albert), J. W. Downs, H. J. Koller, L. F. Laurent,'and H. C. Sampson (Bell Block, W. K. Morris (Oakura), T. J. Mildenhallund T. H. H. Sinclair (Opuniake), F. Gawith (Tokaora), W. A. Thomas (Newall), F. Dickinson, M. Biordan, and A. 13. Williams (Hurford), ana W. G. Stanton (Lower Mangorei). Mr. P. J. H. White, member of the Educational Board, and Messrs A. J. Morton, W. A. Ballantyne, and H. Dempsey, inspectors, were also present. The president, after welcoming the delegates and rending apologies from referred to the increased interest taken in educational matters during the past year, one result being that Parliament had voted an increased amount for educational purposes. If the people continued insistent, he was certain that in the next session an increased grant would be made. The replies received from the Education Board and the Minister of Education in regard to the remits passed at last conference were read. The report and balance sheet, as already published, was adopted. STRATFORD REMITS. _ Mr. Bocock moved that the association be recommended to support the system of national hostels for Taxanaki as one mians of protecting the national system of education. This was seconded by Mr. Sage, who referred to the difficulty of finding board for country children desirous of attending secondary or technical schools. The chairman stated that he understood the Department was now considering the establishment of hostels for the children of country parentß. The remit was carried.

Mr. Bocock then moved that the conference consider ways and means towards cheapening the cpst of school books and that the Government be urged to establish a central bureau for the supply of school books. This was seconded by Mr. Bridger (Eltham).' Mr. Garcia moved as an amendment that, with a view to cheapening the cost of school books and. requisites, the Government be urged to establish a central bureau for their supply. This was seconded by Mr. Gawith (Tokaora). The remit was withdrawn and the amendment substituted and carried. ELTHAM REMITS. Mr. Bridger moved that the conference discuss the proposal by the New Zealand Teachers' Educational Institute as to the election, eto., of school committees. Mr. Sage (Hawera) seconded this, and it was carried. Mr. Bridger moved that the School Committees' Conference is satisfied with the present method of the election of school committees. Mr. Thomas (Newall) seconded. After some discussion, the motion was carried, tlie president stating that he hoped the incoming executive would place the vjews of school committees before the Department. On the motion of Messrs Bridger and Bocock (Stratford), it was resolved.that the Taranaki Board of Education be asked to urge upon the Government the necessity of greater expedition in the payment of subsidies, as the present system of indefinite delay seriously hampers tlie work of the committee and their financial position. Mr. Bridger then moved that the conference strongly approves of the suggestion that a universal system of books should be introduced throughout the Dolninionj and that the Department be urged to act immediately. y.r. Gawith (Tokaora) seconded. Mr. Morton (chief inspector) favored limitation in the choice oe books.

The motion was adopted. Mr. Birdger moved that the question of granting assistance to children travelling by road to hiigh and teehnii/il schools be urged upon the Government, and that the Taranaki board be asked to co-operate. He referred to the fact that children could travel free by rail from Eitham to New Plymouth, but the fare by coach from Kaponga to New Plymouth was not paid. Mr. Gawith seconded. The president stated that the matter had been placed before the Department, and he thought that in the near future something would be done.-—Adopted. Mr. Bridger moved: That the conference gives its support to the suggestions made by the chairman of the Taranaki board to the effect that a teacher should be provided in theiback country districts when there were at least six' children and that ample salary be provided. He referred to the Department's Idea of decentralisation, but pointed out tlmt there were numerous districts in the backblocks where children could not travel, and the effect was to drive settlers out of the back country to the towns so as to obtain educational facilities for their families. Mr. Gawith seconded the motion, which was carried. NEWALL ROAD REMIT. Mr. W. A. Thomas moved that in view of the difficulty experienced by teachers in obtaining suitable board and lodging! in country districts, thf faet that the -absence of a school residence often restricts the choice of suitable teachers, the Minister of Education be ur»ed to make provision in this year's estimates for an increased grant for building srhool residences. Seconded by Mr. P. Stanley (Hillsborough) and carried. EXECUTIVE REMITS. The president moved: That the conference supports the demand for an increase in tiie payment of capitation to school committees. This had been before the conference on previous occasions, and, though the capitation had been increased, it was still inadequate, especially in the case of big schools. After a brief discussion, the remit was adopted. Mr. Dolby moved that the Minister of Education be urged to increase the amounts now paid to holders of Taranaki and university scholarships. He said that the Government -offered 30 university scholarships annually, and, as 30,000 children were born each year, the [Government considered that one in a thousand should have a university education wtich they called free. University scholarships carried £SO per j»r «ad f$M ) md TuwM acholuiUpi 1

£6O Without fees. At present it £IOO per annum to keep a student at the university, and, as the coarse wM» {or four years, there were many parent* rwlo could not afford the expense. - ' i Mr. Garcia seconded the remit, which' was carried. ADDRESS BY MR. MORTON; Mir. A. J. Morton, chief inspector, briefly addressed the meeting, pointWg out the advantages of holding these conferences, as the co-operation of school committees was necessary to the advancement of education. What was required was more teachers, and he pointed out the difficulty the board had in filing the lower grade positions. There was aiao difficulty in the proper staffing of schools so that children could obtain more individual attention. If mo» teachers were available smaller classes could be arranged, and this, of eourst, meant consideration of buildings. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Ofliqera were elected as follows: , President, Mr. S. G. Smith, lIP. (reelected); vice-presidents, Messrs G. H. Dolby (New Plymouth), R S. Sage (Hawera), J. B. Simpson (Moa), G. E. Bocock (Stratford), W. K. Morris (Oakura), T. H. H. Sinclair (Opunake), and I. J. Bridgcr (Eltham); executive, * Messrs J. Garcia., A. P. Lister, J. W. Downs (Bell Block), and F. Stanley (Hillsborough); secretary and tre&cnrer. W. G. Reid.