BOARD PROTESTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 January 1942, Page 4

BOARD PROTESTS

TAKING OVER OF SCHOOLS FOR HOSPITAL AND OTHER PURPOSES. POSITION IN THE WAIRARAPA. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. A decision to resist to the utmost any effort to take over schools for use in an emergency where other suitable accommodation was available, was reached at yesterday’s meeting of the Wellington Education Board. Members expressed the view that the Health Department appeared to be taking the easy way out of its difficulties by taking over school buildings when other buildings such as hotels and picture theatres would do equally well. The board was advised by the Wairarapa Hospital Board that it was proposed to take over in an emergency one of the board’s modern schools in Masterton, and it was proposed to build an annexe connected to the school by a corridor. Later, the annexe could be used as a dental clinic. On the motion of Mi’ T. K. Moody, the board decided to request the Minister of Education to convene a conference at the earliest possible date between the Ministers of Health and Education, the directors of both departments, and the board, to discuss the proposed emergency use of schools. Mr W. R. Nicol said it was realised that accommodation for sick troops would be necessary. The school in Masterton would probably not be taken over immediately and it' would be wanted only in case of emergency. He saw no necessity for postponing the opening of the school because of the building of the annexe, which he said would not interfere with the children in any way. It was not now proposed to take over Wairarapa College and if need be, pupils from the fourth, fifth and sixth forms at the other school could be accommodated there. There was need to preserve a proper balance, said Mr L. J. McDonald. He knew collaboration and assistance with the military authorities in their difficulty was necessary, but he did not think it necessary to sacrifice the needs of the children. Colonel T. W. McDonald: “We must stand solidly by the war effort and sacrifice education, if need be.” The chairman, Mr W. V. Dyer: “I believe that every member will resist to the utmost any effort to take our schools when othei - accommodation such as boardinghouses and hotels is available. The tendency is to take the line of least resistance and grab the schools. It’s wrong that they should be commandeered unless there is a state of emergency and they are required for troops.” Mr L. J. McDonald: “I think the military or health authorities ought, to be called on to show that no other accommodation is available before they take our schools. We should not allow ourselves to be overridden by subsidiary authorities under the Emergency Regulations without making a fight for it.”