COST OF EDUCATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1922, Page 4

COST OF EDUCATION.

BIG INCREASE INVOLVED. MINISTER OPPOSES ECONOMY. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Christchurch, April 13. Some of the householders’ meetings having passed resolutions protesting against any stinting in regard to educational expenditure, the Hon. C. J. -x Parr, in the course of an interview, I said that he hardly knew what was i meant by stinting. In 1914 the salaries of teachers in public schools amounted to £697,478; this year he believed they would reach £1,730/000. He regretted having to take back £BO,OOO in a recent cut, but hoped it would be only temporary. The total expenditure on education in 1914 was £1,412,372. This year it would be £3.500,000. No government 1 had done more foi the teaching profession than the present. Its one regard was emolument and aid to status. Many people thought that too much was being spent on education in New Zealand. He was opposed to any economy in the vital or essential services but certain excrescences, which, had grown up, would be lopped off. During the past two years the Government had spent or granted nearly £1,000,000 for buildings, but hard times had nearly halted the building programme, which W’ould be resumed immediately finances were easier. The Government to the best of its resources would provide schools where there were no schools and make necessary extensions to meet overcrowding. In regard to pensions, the Government contribution last year was £45,000, but an actuarial report furnished him showed that, to make the fund perfectly sound, the Government contribution must be £68,000.