' ' Tuesday, April 18, 1967 m

Preston D. MacLure: Mr. Speaker, some seem determined to rush the business of this Legislature, but I think we should, in all fairness, discuss all problems and dwell upon them until we are all satisfied that this is the right thing to do. We have been elected here by the people, Mr. Speaker, to attend to the businss of the Province and this we must do even if it takes all summer.

Mr. Speaker, as I continue on education, a little more on education, we must not forget the former Minister of Education under the previous Government. I am sure that the Minister of Education under the Government of the day is well qualified for the position he holds and to carry on the business of education and schools, and what have you. “My Government will continue the program of Vocational and Technical Education in the Province." Now, we ho e that this will be carried on in an orderly manner of Technical Schools and Consoli ated Schools in the years to come. so that all our children can have a better education. Another thing that we must do in this res- pect is the use of education for our children if we do not have jobs for them. So I would ask the Government to continue on in the education field, and also at the same time to supply all the jobs that can be supplied to keep our brains in the Province for years to come. As in the past, there has been a great influx of our youn people to the Eastern United States and Central Canada. We should try to supply 50 s at home for as many as possible. Future higher education in this Province is of dee concern. In- creased grants will be provided for University purposes. Well now, we . ope that this will come from the Government at Ottawa, as we know, Mr. Speaker, the Province of Prince Edward Island cannot carry on education facilities by itself as we do not have that kind of money. But it says here that there will be increased grants for University purposes. Now, here is just a little iece from the Guardian of March 17th. I would like to read, Mr. Speaker, “Senator ohn Connolly, Government Leader in the Senate, said the prime responsibility of education is with the Provinces and they must expect to pay a great deal of the capital cost.” Now, Mr. Speaker, if this ha pens in this Province, we are in a very bad position as far as education is concerned? I think our education system will go in reverse if this does happen that we do not get the grant from the Dominion Government to carry on our education facilities in this Province.

Now, the next is free school books. This is a very delicate subject. I am all in favour of everythin free, but then again it is a very delicate subject, Mr. Speaker, as to what it looked li e to the people before the election. It looked like all books would be free. Now, Mr. Speaker, I think this should have read ‘Loan of School Books" be- cause, it is not free school books. It is just, Mr. Speaker, the loan of school books, be- cause the books have to be erturned. Thtfiiare not free; they are loaned to the student and it is a good thing if we can control loan of books at all times. I see this coming fall we will have them in two higher grades. I think all this is good but it reads just a little wrong. It says, “Free School Books,” and it should have read “Loan of School Books," because it is not free. What you get free is not good.

Another delicate situation is salary increases to school teachers. Mr. Speaker, this probably hits the people that have worked hard over the years, tting near re- tirement age; they will get something like thirty-seven cents per day. $oung teachers, who have not the qualifications to receive higher pay, can go back to college. But a teacher that has only two or three years left and has worked up through the years when we all know that the salary of teachers was very low, cannot go back to college to further their education, to become better paid in the Province. So I think we should have taken care, a little more care, in the raising of salaries that would cover those people that cannot go back to college and receive a ater education so they will get more pay in the years to come. Redrafting of the Sc 00] Act; that is underway.

“Appraising a program for pre-school children.” This, Mr. Speaker, will be good in the urban centres. think that all young people should be encouraged to pick up at an early age. But in a Province like Prince Edward Island where the rural areas are scattered out, it would be quite a problem to get children to a centre where they can receive pre-school education. Now, in the town or any small village, it would not be such a great problem. But in the rural communities I think you will find quite a pro- blem, but we hope that this will be overcome.

Next is to construct a new Division of Youth Affairs. Now this education and constructive Youth activities and organization is a good thing for all youth of the Province, to get them interested in some project where they will take great interest in the public affairs of the Province and to help themselves and to help others at the same time. This Youth Affairs should be a great thing for the young people as they

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