GUARDING PEOPLE’S RIGHTS

Taranaki Daily News, 18 November 1926, Page 12

GUARDING PEOPLE’S RIGHTS

POWERS OF EDUCATION BOARDS. EFFORT TO CURTAIL RESENTED. “They have given the suffrage to the people in the appointment of education boards, and any interference with these rights should be jealously watched,” said the Rev. J. L. A. Kayll at the meeting of the Taranaki Board yesterday when referring to a departmental tendency to curtail the powers of boards. The boards were representative bodies based upon constitutional authority, he continued, and he thought he was right in saying that a Minister could not make constitutional alterations without first consulting the people. Mr. P. J. H. White: No public servant seems to understand constitutional history. “When Parliament could pass a law bringing in compulsory control of private property, there was no knowing what might happen,” said Mr. A. Lees. Mr. Kayll reiterated that it was essential the people should see that their rights were protected. It was eventually decided that in view of changes having taken place and in contemplation regarding the administration of education, the board recommend the executive of the Education Board’s Association to call a conference of boards early next year to consider many matters of vital importance.