School Books.

Mr D. Ferguson, M.A., brought up the Committee's report on the question of school books. The Committee unanimously considered that it was not necessary for the New Zealand Government to compile a set of books for use in the schools in this Colony, as private enterprise in New Zealand and England provided cheap, varied and excellent books of the kind required. He moved the adoption of the report.

Mr D. White (Otago) seconded the motion, saying that it would not have been necessary for the Council to express an opinion on the subject, had not the Hon the Minister for Education said in the House that he was in favour of introducing a uniform set of books for use in the Colony. Such an important statement rendered it necessary for the Institute to give a very decided expression of opinion. The expense to families through the change of residence was, in his opinion, overstated; or at any rate he had not heard much of it. He thought the Government would not be warranted in taking the matter in hand, as it was not called upon to do so, and especially as the English educational authorities had such facilities for providing what was needed.