ABSTRACT
In 1939, Peter Fraser, Minister of Education in New Zealand's first Labour Government, declared that it was his administration's objective to ensure 'that every person, whatever his level of academic ability, whether he be rich or poor, whether he live in town or country, has a right, as a citizen, to a free education of the kind for which he is best fitted and to the fullest extent of his powers'. First of all it must be said that unlike some Western European countries, where fundamental theoretical and ideological differences divide national political parties and where there is a tendency for educational discussion to be channelled through them, in New Zealand neither of the principal political parties is fettered by strong ideological bonds. Responsible for the department is the Minister of Education, who, in New Zealand, has always held cabinet rank.
