TECHNICAL COLLEGES.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 August 1920, Page 5

TECHNICAL COLLEGES.

SUPPORT FROM THE PUBLIC. MINISTER REPLIES TO CRITICISM. By Teleer.ipli.—Press Association Wellington,-Last Night. A statement was made to-day by tho Minister of Education touching on a resolution circulated among local bodies fthich. embodies a protest against local authorities being asked to provide funds for technical cduation. ■* ... ?I have asked for, a Departmental report on this master," said Mr. Parr. "I find that as a matter of fact the actual monetary .contributions..made to technical schools by local authorities amount ju the aggregate to less than two per cent, of the total expenditure on the schools, mi that at present } local authorities have' very litle to erf out about. Certain local bodies, however, have provided sites'for technical schools, in one or, .two cases purchased by special legislative authority out of loan money raised for that purpose. Prior tL the last session of Parliament there was no provision for grants being'made by fhc (lovcrnment. for sites for technical schools; reliance in this- «respeet being placed entirely on local bodies. The Education Amendment Act of last session provides for the appropriation of public moneys for that purpose. "The present Act makes provision for the appointment of managers for technical schools, and to> encourage local bodies to make contributions to the funds of schools by allotting reresentation to contributory bodies in propor-. tion to their contributions. The object of this is not so much to relieve the public purse as to enlist the sympathy of contributors on behalf of technical schools. Contributions, in comparison with the total State expenditure, are somewhat insignificant, These provisions have been found to be unsatisfactory, and 1 am now considering proposals with a viow of amending the Act, so that the representation of local authorities on "technical school boards shall not altogether depend on the proportion of contributions.

"I quite recognise that the burden of education should fall on the consolidated fund (is a general rule, but where people are keen, as they are in manv centres, to keep their technical school it is well that there should be legislative sanction for voluntary effort, and I do not propose to withdraw the present right to contribute if they think fit. It is, of course, entirely permissive and not compulsory, and quite within the discretion of the local authority. The department will continue to welcome practical support for technical schools, m which the work done is governed largely by the local conditions and objects largely to satisfy local needs. Many centres recognise the value to their district of giving their local tradesmen A sound grounding in the principle of their respective trades, and thev have voluntarily helped us with sites." T do not propose to forbid this attitude."