COST OF EDUCATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 March 1921, Page 6

COST OF EDUCATION.

TOTAL OF £3,240,000. hAif A MILLION FROM LOANS, * The total cost of education for the current financial year is estimated by the “'Minister, the Hon. C. J. Parr, at £3,240,000. While in Christchurch he gave a comparative statement of the expenditure for the years 19(13-14 and 192021. showing the great increase that has taken place. The figures were:—

Mr. Parr pointed to the fact that total expenditure had more than doubled, and the money spent on some items had quadrupled. Of the curent year’s expenditure nearly £500,000 spent on buildings was obtained from loans, but the rest came out of the country’s general revenue. Three million pounds per annum seemed a very large sum of money for a country of just over a million people. However, considering that the pound wa% worth now only about 10s, the increase was relatively not such a burden as it appeared. One item—higher salaries for teachers—was undoubtedly necessary and fully justified. At present he took about one pound in ten of the general taxation for use in education, but seeing that it was used for the benefit of not less than 200,000 children, be felt safe in saying that the demand was not excessive.

1913-14. 1920-21. £ £ Teachers’ salaries .... 697,478 1,530,000 “Incidental expenses” of school committees 41,600 90,000 Maintenance of buildings 45,054 96,395 New Primary school buildings and sites 69,123 270,000 All new buildings (including secondary and university) and sites 121,954 430,000 New secondary schools and sites 51,725 150,000 Total for all purposes £1,4-12,432 £3,240,000