In view of the fact that the question of compulsory age and the age at which children may attend school, has been occupying the attention of the Press of the Colony, and has been recently referred to in Parliament as a subject requiring consideration and amendment, the Committee consider it desirable to submit the following statements on the subject:—

(1.)	That the age which children may attend school in New Zealand is from 5 to 15 years of age. It has been proposed to raise the age to 6 or 7.
(2)	An examination of the statistics of other countries as to school age shows that New Zealand has, generally speaking, a higher initial school age than any other country. The following figures illustrate this:—England, 3 to 18; Scotland, 3 to 18; Victoria, 3 to 16; New South Wales, 4 to 14; United States, 4 to 14; New Zealand, 5 to 15.
(3)	There are 20,000 pupils in the schools of the Colony under 7 years. To raise the age to 6 or 7 years would have the effect of saving £10,000 or £20,0(.'0 annually, but would result in closing schools in the outlying districts, or would lead to the establishing of aided schools, in which there is no guarantee that the teachers will be competent and efficient.page 10
(4)	Since there is no average age at which pupils must pass the First Standard, fixed by the Regulations of the Department, there is no inducement to force the pupils beyond their powers, and no occasion to resort to undue pressure.
(5)	To allow children to go 7 years without regular instruction would be highly detrimental to a sound course of instruction.