NEED FOR ECONOMY.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 December 1921, Page 3

NEED FOR ECONOMY.

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S PROPOSALS. The Education Department has forwarded to Education Boards a circular letter, urging the strictest economy. A thorough investigation of all Government departments had resulted in eco- ; nomies being effected amounting to very large sums. Staffs had been reduced, services curtailed, and expendi- > ture of every kind had been scrutinised, with the view of cutting out everything that was not essential. A great deal had already been done in reducing the ■ grants to boards for buildings by postponing every new work that is not urgent, and only those works of repair and maintenance should be undertaken i that were necessary to prevent buildings from deteriorating or being damaged by weather conditions. Some ' boards had already effected large savings on such items as stationery, printing, postage, telegrams, advertising, • travelling expenses, board meet mgs. clerical staffs and the cost of administration generally, and this example should i be followed by all bodies admiriistering education. In the matter of school supi plies, while these should not be ent down beyond reasonable requirements, • the teachers should be imp ssed w;th I the necessity of avoiding undue waste ! or extravagance in the use of materials I and apparatus, and in framing their re- ! quisitions. Economy should be practiced 1 at all times, but more so at the present time, when funds were limited and the | cost of materials generally was high. : Particular attention should bo paid to expenditure on material, etc., for classes ! in cookery, woodwork, agriculture and science. At the present time there was ■ no necessity for expenditure out of the board’s funds for prizes, the money for • which should be raised by entertainments and subscriptions. Mr Lees thought that it would be I false economy to cut out work on some buildings, as the work would cost more later on. —. The matter was referred to the Finance Committee, and that they be asked to report on the various points made.