The Minister of Education was asked if he subscribed to a particular political philosophy. "Well, no. There are great dangers in a rapidly changing world of wedding yourself to a philosophy which would become quickly outdated. So I do not want to become a captive to one rigid political philosophy. I suppose if you wanted a phrase I'm a mixed economist."

By way of explanation, Mr Wellington said, "In a small country like New Zealand there is simply certain things that the state must - because there is no alternative out there - must provide.

"But point two, where there is a possibility of encouraging that which is not the state or central government -well, you know - we should be doing that.

"So what I'm saying is, there is no alternative to the state in conjunction with other groups such as the churches (I'm talking about education) running education.

"On the other hand, in my view the state has no place in doing anything other than encouraging industry, farming, fishing, and so on. So I think the government has a very important role in the servicing sector of the community and that those not part of the state system have a very important part in being dominant and predominant in the productive sector."

More specifically, Mr Wellington described his aims as Minister of Education.

Equitable and Sensitive

"I am anxious to ensure in the university sector that all those who wish to go can in fact go."

"What I set out to do two years ago was to find a more equitable system." Mr Wellington criticised the old tertiary bursary system where all students living away from home received $30 a week as being "not sensitive enough to the varying degrees of hardship."

"The Tag scheme makes for an equitable distribution ... across the board. I think it is a success. I am aware of the criticisms of it. I am aware that there are people who take offence at having to fill in forms ... it's not a problem with everybody.

"I don't accept that the forms are hard to fill in. University students are presumably our top 10 percent of the IQ strata."

In the past, it has been suggested by representatives of NZUSA that the SHG should be administered on the basis of academic ability rather than on a financial basis in much the same way as the A and B bursary. Mr Wellington rejected this, saying he thought it was "contrary to the New Zealand ethic in an egalitarian society where the ... purpose is to give every opportunity for those who wish."

Non-Existent Cuts

When asked his opinion of the Education Fightback Campaign, Mr Wellington said he thought perhaps it was a little misguided.

"As I understand it the theme or focus of the so-called campaign is that there has been some reduction in spending. I just wonder how many of those who marched (on April 8) had read a budget paper. You see, if you read a few budget documents it shows that spending in the last five years has risen."

With reference to the bursary situation and the quinquennial grants he added, "The focus of their interest is very narrow. It seems to me a bit insular".

Mr Wellington believes that the new system of funding students and their universities has had two good effects. One is that, as has already been discussed, anyone who wants to go to university can. The other is that universities are now "more sensitive to what is necessary in curriculum terms". Mr Wellington used the examples of Auckland law faculty and other medical schools which have reduced their intakes because New Zealand already has plenty of doctors and lawyers. The question of distribution has nothing to do with his department, he said.

Despite the heavy criticism Mr Wellington has faced during his time as Minister of Education, he insists it is a job he enjoys. "I can't think of a better investment in the present and the future ... it is the criticial investment in our future."

He said he enjoys the contact with people and the diversity of the job. He believes in the present education system because there are "not many frills" and because "it concentrates on producing a good all-rounder. We have a good, strong system." Assuming that the National Government is re-elected this year, Mr Wellington would like the Education portfolio again.

In an attempt to find out about "the man behind the position", Mr Wellington was asked how he would describe himself as a person. "That's an impossible question ... I'm an ordinary New Zealander."

He said he misses his teaching career and the contact with young people. His leisure time is mostly spent playing sport and he wishes he had more time to do this. At this stage he has no plans to write a book.

Michele A'Court