EXPENDITURE TO INCREASE Education Bill Attacked
South Shields Education Committee has approved estimates for the year ending March 31, 1937, amounting to a total expenditure of £236,822.
This will mean an increased call on the General Rate Fund of £4,381.
The detailed figures are Estimated expenditure: Elementary education, £201,472; higher education, £35,350; total, £236.822. Estimatedincome: Elementary education, £120,172; higher education, £20,377; total, £140,549. Amount required from the General Rate Fund: Elementary education, £81,300; higher education, 1:14,973; total, £96,273 Rate in the pound, elementary education, 3s. 4d.: higher education, Md.: total 3s. llid. Increased call on the General Rate Fund, elementary education, £2,420; higher education, £1.961;
total, £4,381.
The corresponding totals for the financial year just ending were: Expenditure, £222,703; income, £131,584; amount required from General Rate Fund, £91,892; rate in the pound, 3s. 90.
Government Attacked Several attacks on the government's new Education Bill were made by members, following unsuccessful motions by Councillor W. L. Pearson.
Councillor Pearson first moved that the committee be represented at a public demonstration organised by the Association of Education Committees, the National Union of Teachers, the School Age Council, and the Workers' Educational Association to be held in London on Saturday to consider a resolution urging that the exemption clause in the Education Bill will defeat its object, and that maintenance allowances provide the only alternative policy.
Councillor J. W. Parker described the bill as "useless" and "farcical."
Councillor Pearson's motion was defeated by eight votes to seven.
He then criticised the action of the cornmittec in sending to the special general meeting of the Association of Education Committees held in London on February 10 representatives who disregarded the council's resolution (made in May) and voted for exemptions in connection with the Education Bill.
Councillor Pearson moved that a letter be sent to the association that the South Shields representatives aCted contrary to the council's decision.
The motion was defeated.
Whitley Bay Concert
A concert in aid of church funds was given by " A Party of Parishioners " in the St. Edward's parish hall, Whitley Bay, last week.