Politicians on education

Wellington — "Education may properly be regarded as an investment, but it is im-portant to realise that the Government must find a balance between the long-term investment in education and investment in increased production and export earnings," the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon K. J. Holyoake, told the New Zealand Educational Institute conference.

New Zealand is at present facing great problems due to the high rate of development in recent years and a serious drop in our export earnings," he said.

"The Government has to, accept the responsibility of determining the appropriate rate of expansion or educational services in relation to other phases of our national life," Mr. Holyoake said.

The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. N. E. Kirk, said it was essential that education prepare the whole of man for life, but in New Zealand there was a significant minority for which the pre-sent education system was not altogether satisfactory.

This minority included Maoris seeking education and maladjusted children.

Mr. Kirk said that between five and 10 per cent of school children were suffering from emotional disturbances: a disquietingly high figure.