EDUCATIONAL REFORM.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 July 1920, Page 3

EDUCATIONAL REFORM.

PROBLEM OF FINANCE. By Telegraph.—Press Association, Wellington July 15. Kupresentativea of tlie conference of the Dominion Schools Committees Association interviewed the Prime Minister and Minister of Education to-day and placed Wore them the conference resolutions. Mr. Massey said he was in sympathy with the requests, but he had to think of the cost as Minister of Finance. He knew that the Dominion was suffering from a scarcity of teachers and an inadequacy of school buildings. To show tho attidude of the Government to education he would mention that for the year ending 31st March, 1912, £1,214,327 was spent, while in the year ending March, 1020, tie amount was £2,43(1,378 —an increase of £1,124,490. He thought it quite likely the capitation paid to school committees would have to be increased. A steady increase already occured—the figures for 1914 being , £48,000 and for 19J0 £BO,OOO. The Minister of Fniance informed the depntati&n that it might be possible to make a modarate increase in the annual grant to school committees. If it was proved tluit larger grants were necessary he would be glad to back up the agreed, for uniform school books, and as soon as the paper shortage was overcome the Department would give practical effect to the proposal. He also approved the proposal the all schools should have central halls. There was no doubt the schools were •understaffed and the Department was doing its utmost by an increase of salaries to make tho profession attractive It was his ambition to get the sizes' of the classes down, and he also desired to increas? the leaving age of pupik. He hoped to see 1400 to 1500 joung people 'entering the training schools next January. Nowadays science is made use of to do £kway with hard labor. This applies as much to the household as it does to a factory. Thus "Fairy Wonder" Dry Soap, blended scientifically, does away with nearly all the hard work when washing clothes or cleaning house. If using "Fairy," you know the truth; if not, then buy a packet and you will be amazed at tlie results. All grocers Btock it. The attention of those requiring white marcella quilts is drawn to the Melbourne Ltd.'s offer of these goods. Prices are particularly keen, and as there is a shortage of quilts just now buyers are advised to get in early. Ten-quarter size, 29/6; twelve-quarter size, 42/0; better quality eleven-quarter size, 39/8; twelve-quarter size, 45/-.