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of worn-out buildings, a system of allowances to these Boards was laid down by the Education Committee of the House of Representatives in 1903, by which it was intended to provide for this important branch of the public property. For some years, however, the annual report of the Department has called attention to the apparent insufficiency of the funds in the hands of the Boards to meet liabilities on this account, and a review of the position cannot be long delayed. During the same period the expenditure on technical and high-school buildings has advanced at a more than corresponding rate. During the past ten years it has increased approximately from £10,000 to £28,000 per annum, and from the growing wants in this direction, due to various causes, finality is very far from being yet in sight. In addition, the average expenditure on buildings for higher (University) education has been at the rate of £8,000 per annum. Whatever demands there may be for buildings for secondary and higher education in the immediate future, it cannot be too strongly emphasized that where financial provision cannot be made for all, the claims of the primary school, as representing the school of the bulk of the people, must be paramount and have the first consideration. Volunteers for Military Service. In common with other sections of the community, the Education service of the Dominion has answered to the call of patriotism, Inspectors, teachers, students, and members of the clerical staffs of the governing bodies being fully represented in the overseas forces. To married teachers going as officers of commissioned rank specially favourable terms have been granted, for the reason thai, the Imperial authorities had pressing need of men so qualified, and special inducements were accordingly necessary. All others have gone on terms generally applicable to those employed in the Government service, including the reservation of their positions for their return, and the payment by the Government in the meantime of their superannuation contributions. The depletion of the professional ranks thus caused will accentuate the difficulty of obtaining a complement of trained teachers adequate to the full requirements of the schools, but the country, it may well be anticipated, will not in vain look to those who are left to minimize the inconveniences caused by the absence of their comrades.
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