8.—6

IX

TEACHEES , SALARIES—INCREASED CAPITATION. The inequalities and anomalies in the salaries of public-school teachers, who are in many cases in receipt of pay that is quite inadequate to the work they do, have been for some time past little short of a grave injustice, and call strongly for redress. Prom causes which it would be out of place to discuss here the total number of children attending the schools in many of the districts shows little or no increase. The number of schools to be maintained is, however, greater than ever it was before. On this account, and in consequence of increased irregularity of attendance and of the large proportion of small schools in those parts of the colony where population is sparse, and especially where settlement is spreading, the strain on the finances of the Education Boards is so great that they are unable with the present grants to do justice to country schools or to the teaching staffs. We propose therefore to increase the total annual grant by about £28,000, which is equivalent to ss. per head for the number in average attendance in all the schools of the colony, and to deal with it in such a way as to remove the inequalities and anomalies to which I have referred. TECHNICAL EDUCATION. So much has been spoken and written in favour of manual instruction and of technical education for the youth of the colony that it does not require more than for me to say that substantial financial assistance will be given to the existing technical schools, and for the extension of technical education into all parts of the colony, including'hand- and eye-training for the pupils in our schools, and the special technical training required for manufacturing, agricultural, mining, and commercial pursuits. In recent years the superiority of Germany and America as manufacturing nations has been clearly demonstrated, and if the youths of New Zealand are to hold their own in engineering, and in skilled handicrafts and industries, a comprehensive system of technical education is of paramount importance. The Bill now in course of preparation by the Minister of Education will, I trust, prove satisfactory, and find its way into the statute-book. As far as finance is concerned it is sufficient for me to say that the necessary expenditure will be amply provided for in the Supplementary Estimates. NEW MARKETS IN SOUTH AFRICA AND ELSEWHERE. I desire to draw especial attention to the vast possibilities that present themselves for opening up a fresh and large market for the natural products of this country in both South Africa and China. It is not unreasonable to assume that, after the termination of the present troubles in the former country, there will be a permanent importation for some years to come of food-products, which this colony has shown itself to be second to none in producing; and while it is difficult to forecast what will be the outcome of the difficulties which have developed in China, it is not improbable that there will be a necessity for maintaining for some years to come in Chinese territory standing armies of the several countries concerned in the present complications, and that this must, in the natural course of things, necessitate the importation of a class of food that was unknown there, excepting to the comparatively small population of Europeans that hitherto lived within Chinese territory. It would be of great advantage if we could obtain a fair proportion of the business which must be created by the two special conditions to which I have referred respecting both countries. I sincerely hope that the enterprising steamship-owners may see their way to give a regular service, so as to admit of a steady outpour of our products to these countries. The matter is one which is deserving the close, earnest, and serious attention of honourable members and the people of this country. I am gratified to note that a vessel for the carriage of coal to China has already been sent to Westport, and the improvement of the Westport Harbour ii—B. 6.