SHOPS BEFORE SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 April 1920, Page 8

SHOPS BEFORE SCHOOLS.

EDUCATION PROGRESS HELD UP. By Telesrnph.—Press Assn.—Copyilßht. Hastings, April 12. Mr. C. J. Parr, Minister of Education, informally opened the new Hastings East 'school. He dwelt on the importance of education and the need for sufficient school accommodation. This led him to speak of the shortage of labor and supplies hindering the building of schools. He said that if in any district it was si question whether a shop should be erected or whebhei the construction, of schools should be proceeded with the shop should givq way to the school. He was going to urge in Parliament that the claims of children should come first. He could not accept the position that the ■building of schools should be put aside for private interest He appealed to contractors to give preference to school contracts. The construction of schools should be placed on the same level with the construction of workers' dwellings. The Minister, in congratulating the parents of scholars attending the. new school, warned them against paying the exorbitant, prices now asked for land. He quoted one dairy farm in another district having recently been purchased a,t £IOO per acre, and this had no less than seven mortgages inscribed on its title deeds. People should not lose their senses because of the high prices ruling for .produce. It was the game, he said, after every war. He expressed the hope that people will remember this and refrain from indulging in reckless land speculations endangering the progress of a prosperous district.