Norman Kirk

The education policy of the Labour Party was partially revealed by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr N. E. Kirk, at the university last night.

The basis of Labour education policy was one of believing that education freed people.

"It is the most important aspect of growth and development in New Zealand society."

Mr Kirk said special problems included pre-sohool children, Islanders, and the ever present problem that anybody on a low income had a smaller possibility of getting to university.

Upgrade

He sad it was Labour policy to upgrade technical institutes 80 that anyone with artisan level of knowledge could come to university and get a degree.

Mr Kirk said in the U.S.A., 3.9 per cent of all graduates between 20 and 24 were science graduates.

This was one of the areas, including engineering and management which needed "tremendous growth" in New Zealand.

Mr Kirk said some channelling of bursaries might be necessary in those areas.

Involvement

Referring to Vietnam. Mr Kirk said, the most dangerous illusion New Zealand could have was that stability depends on military involvement Mr Kirk said some criticism of "what I should be doing" was unjustified.

"You in the universities, like myself in Parliament are not clearly identified with as many of our respective age groups as we would like, or as many as we would assert," he added.