E.—l

enthusiasm, or personal energy will bring richer or nobler results than that which is devoted to education. The realization, of this fact, an unyielding faith in the value of our human assets, and the determination to translate these convictions and beliefs into immediate action, would constitute the most fitting sequel to the high level of national spirit and of national endeavour to which our people have risen during the great conflict between material forces and spiritual power. We have fought on the battlefield and have made sacrifices at home to preserve civilization arid a world worthy of our children's inheritance. With the conclusion of this great conflict in sight, and with the spirit of victory with which our efforts bid fair to be crowned, may we not proceed to devote our energy and even olir sacrifice to the cause of education, where in a more peaceful atmosphere we may still, in the broadest and deepest sense, labour for civilization and for the heritage of our children. THE GENERAL COUNCIL OF EDUCATION. The third general meeting of the Council was held from the 20th to the 23rd June, 1917. Reports were presented from committees set up to consider the following questions The establishment and disestablishment of certain secondary and district high schools, and also the general principles that; should govern the, setting-up of such schools ; the adaptation of the education system of the Dominion to .the development of its resources; the education of girls; child-welfare; Kitchener Scholarships; agricultural education. The subject of continuation classes was also dealt with, the motion being passed that it should be compulsory for every child between the ages of fourteen, and seventeen years living within three miles of technical classes to attend such for three hours a week and thirty weeks a year. Proposals regarding the establishment of such classes at schools above Crade IIIa were also made. The reports of the various committees as adapted by the Council may be found in the printed report of the meeting. The interim report of the committee dealing with the adaptation of the, education system of the Dominion, to the development of its resources contained many important recommendations, including the establishment of a National Advisory Council on Research, with specially defined powers and duties in connection with the encouragement and development of scientific research and the co-ordination of this with the industrial activities of the Dominion. COST OF EDUCATION. (Sec also 'rabies A—_ on pages 81-82, and Appendix A.) The total expenditure by the Education Department for the year 1917-18 was £1,809,187, an. increase of £119,480 over the expenditure for the previous year. If to this expenditure is added the income derived by secondary schools and University colleges from reserves (most of which was expended), and a sum expended by the iVlines Department on schools of mines, the total public expenditure on education amounted to £1,895,000, or £1 13s. per head of the population. The corresponding figure for New South Wales is £l os. sd. (no expenditure on university education) ; Victoria, 19s. lOd. ; Queensland, £l Is. 3d. ; United States of America, £l 18s. Of the total expenditure 75 per cent, was on account of primary education, 12 per cent, on account of secondary education (including technical high schools), 4 per cent, on account of university education, 3 per cent, on account of industrial and special schools, 4 per cent, on account of technical education, and 2 per cent, on account of teachers' superannuation and miscellaneous charges. The expenditure on primary education per head of roll number was £7 7s. 3d., excluding new buildings, and £7 12s. 7., including these; the expenditure on secondary education her head of the roll number was £14 os. 7d., excluding new buildings and reserves revenue, and £18 (is. 4d. including them. Of the expenditure of £l ,300,000 by the Government on primary education, £997,000 was on account of teachers' salaries and £102,000 was for the general administrative purposes of Education Boards and allowances to School Committees. £50,000 represented the expenditure on new school buildings and additions, and £95,000 was the amount granted for fhe maintenance of school buildings and for

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