The Daily News. FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1922. OVERCROWDED SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 June 1922, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1922. OVERCROWDED SCHOOLS.

For a long time past there has scarcely been a meeting of the Taranaki Education Board at which the subject of inadequate accommodation, at certain schools has not been a topic for discussion. Practically the Board is at a dead end in relation to obtaining adequate floor space for the children attending those schools which have not been allowed to expand hi a corresponding ratio to the increase of population. While all sorts of flattering remarks are made by Ministers as to the progress and prosperity of Taranaki, it. does not seem to occur to these dominant authorities that increased progress and population have much in common, both being important. factors in national status, entailing duties and responsibilities which cannot be ignored, eleven treated cavalierly, without serious trouble arising . The Minister for Education (Mr. Parr) is always sympathetic towards all reasonable requests, but unfortunately there seems to be some sort of grit in the machinery of his department that cuts off the power just when and where it is most needed. By this time the Minister must surely have fully realised that Taranaki schools are not getting that square deal to which they are entitled. Naturally he points to the stringency of finance as the monster which bars the way to justice to the children, their parents and the taxpayers. There is certainly a marvellous straining by departmental officers to save expenditure in some directions to be poured out unheedingly in others—sometimes like water. Of course, it is claimed for all . expenditure in these days, that it is absolutely necessary. Assuming that it is—for the sake of argument —can it be conceived that there exists a more imperative necessity, greater and more urgent than the health and mentality of the rising generation? Yet, from day to day, and from year to year, the children in certain districts of Taranaki are subjected to the menace of epidemics, the undermining of their stamina, and the lowering of their physique, through the overcrowding at school—and that not as a matter of option, but of legal . compulsion. What would be said if the prisons of tlio country were overcrowded. in ft similar manner. There would be such an outcry that the life of the Government would not be worth a moment’s purchase. Yet poor, defenceless, and innocent children are compelled to undergo the evils of overcrowding, while departmental officials put all possible obstacles in the way of speedy and effective relief. There is much matter, not only for sober reflection, but also for searching inquiry into what has become a serious blot on I the country and the methods whereby it is governed. The State compels children to attend school, otherwise their parents suffer uni der the penal code, but fails to | provide the necessary breathing i space in the class -ooms to keep the children in health. As a consequence the innocent suffer for the guilty, and the citizens of the future are being treated wi,th less consideration than criminals, factory hands, or seamen. The law of the country in protecting life and property provides punishment for those committing srrievons bodily harm, and though Ministers arc not punishable either for official acts or neglect, they are morally guilty if they fail in their duty. It would seem that the time has arrived when education boards should realise that the public expects them to insist on the health of children being preserved instead of undermined by overcrowding. It is their business to demand as a right, and not as a favor, that adequate space be provided in every school for the children on the roll. For the Government to plead lack of funds is absurd. It is their duty to ascertain how much expenditure is required for absolutely necessary purposes in connection with education, and then to raise a. loan for the work. This can and should be done, while now is a particularly good opportunity for a campaign in this direction. Manifestly 1 requirements eannot be met out of

ordinary revenue, and as the best asset of the country is physically and mentally virile people, any money spent to that end is put to the best purpose possible. The time for talk is past, and the insistent call is for action on behalf of the helpless and innocent children who are compelled to endure suffering because of shameful neglect of duty by the authorities.