MINISTER OF EDUCATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9087, 12 May 1908, Page 5

MINISTER OF EDUCATION.

SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS. NEED FOR PRISON REFORM. BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSDCt ATI fi N. HASTINGS, May. 11, The Hort. G. Fovvlda was deputalionissd by several districts requiring schools. His replies were unsatisfactory from the settlers' point of view, namely, as it favoured the conveyance of children to centres in preference to establishing small schools. The Chamber of Commerce waited on Mr Fowlds, urging the importance of grants for a new railway station and post office, which he approved. Replying to a request for a grant for the making of Elsthorpe road, the Minister replied that if tho Government subsidised the road the value of the land would be so increased that the Government would have to take it for closer settlement. After the deputation had withdrawn the Minister drove to the residence of the Rev. J. Kayle, to discuss the lattcr's proposals for the reorganisation of penal institutions upon the basis of scientific penology. They considered the various methods of different countries |for dealing with criminals of all classes, Mr Kayle explaining that it was now possible to make such provision as would enable the authorities to deal effectively with all phasas of criminality. At the conclusion of the interview, the Minister expressed himself very pleased with all he had heard, and added that he was assured it would bo the best policy for the dominion to make use of expert knowledge, and thus bring its institutions to the greatest possible efficiency. The Hon. J. A. Millar also went into the subject with Mr Kayle, and, speaking afterwards, the Minister expressed himself much pleased with Mr Kayle's exhaustive knowledge regarding reform of the prison system' upon scientific lines. Reform was much to be desired, and he did not think it was very far off.