PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2292, 10 September 1908, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

TUESDAY. EVENING’S SITTING

fl’nr.ss Association.]

WELLINGTON, Sept. 9

Ju tho House alter midnight, Air. .1. 0. Thomson said tile district high schools, if near high schools proper, could not be a success. Country school committees should got larger allowances. The appointment of teachers was the lighting elaueo of tho Bill. Some check upon Boards was required. Mr. J • Stall wort by generally supported the Bill. Boards should select teachers.

Lion. G. Fowlils, replying, said that Mr. Hatmio had effectively replied to Mr. Malcolm's speech, lie desired to take strong exception to Mr. Tlornshy’s speech. The moral character and training of the young were specially provided for. Country schools were fairly treated. The salaries in distinct high schools were as high as possible. Increased 1 stalling was as necessary as increased salaries. It was in the interest of country reboots that Hoards should have the power of transfer, os good teachers at present refused to go to country schools. Salaries wore determined by attainments, length of service, and eiliciency. Under the now clauses school committees would have the power to select teachers from names an the second division. In committee, the short title was agreed to, and the Mouse rose at 2.7 a.m. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. AFTERNOON SITTING. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Roman Catholic Archbishop ot Wellington Empowering Bill passed its third reading. The Second Ballot Bill was read a first time, and the second reading was set down for Friday next. The Local Elections and Polls Amendment Bill ami tho Town Boards Act Amendment Bill passed their third readings. The Westport Harbor Board Loan Bill passed through committee unamended, was read a third time, and passed. The Christchurch City Betterment Bill was read l u second time. The Christchurch City Sanitary Empowering Bill was further,considered in committee. New clauses amended the proportional payment of the cost of sanitary work by owners and occupiers of houses with at least one year’s lease to run, tenants to pay one-twentieth of the cost. The Bill was referred to the Local Bills Committee to consider tho rato of interest. , " , Tho Counties Amendment Bill was taken in committee. New clauses woro inserted to provide that the Governor may, on the resolution of the Council and the County, increase tlie number of ridings in any county to any number not exceeding twelve. The Bill was reported-as amended. The Destitute Persons Amendment- ■ Bill was put through committee, and ,reported unamended. The Canterbury College Empowering Bill, tho Lincoln Road Board Empowering Bill, the New Plymouth Harbor Board Empowering Bill, the Opunako Harbor Bill, and the Inangalnia County Empowering Bill were read a second time. The Council adjourned at 4.55 -p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Ministers, replying to questions, stated that tho Classification Board, being unable to complete tho scheme of classification of tho Civil Service for this session, all increases of pay will be dealt with on the Supplementary Estimates; that tho Admiralty report on the proposed sito for a harbor at Port Elizabeth is unfavorable; the cost of building *i breakwater would probably exceed one and threequarter millions, and from a naval point of view the proposed harbor would be useless; that it would be inadvisable at present to make any alteration in the arrangements under which Cook Island fruits are carried over the New Zealand railways; that in connection with anomalous position in which manufacturers in this country arc placed in relation to tho Commonwealth. Customs tariff, whereby NeW Zealand is regarded as a foreign country in the matter of duty, no steps had been taken to induce tlie Commonwealth authorities to make an exception in favor of tho Dominion ; the matter will bo one for consideration in connection with reciprocal agreements for mutual -concessions ; ( tha.t it is not intended to amend the law so that the Government will he responsible to local bodies for general rates on unlet sections of land 1 bought by them for the purposes of land for settlement or workmen’s homes. The lloiiso rose at 5.30 p.m. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Consideration of the Education Amendment Bill was.resumed in committee. At clause 6, appointment of probationers, ITon. G. Fowlds, in reply to questions, said that head teachers must to some extent bo responsible for the training of probationers, who would never bo in sole cliargo of a class, though they might give lessons to a class. The term of probationers was limited to two years, after which the probationer would go to a .training college. Tlie clause was passed. At clause 7, salaries of teachers in public schools, Mr. James Allen moved to omit tho words in sub-section 2, “so long as lie remains in the same position.” This would preclude tlie possibility of a teacher suffering a reduction in salary except for inefficiency. Mr. A. S. Malcolm wished to strike out the words at the end of tho subsection, “to which lie would have been entitled,” in order to insert the words “which he is receiving at present.” Hon. G. Fowlds said this would increase the appropriation. At this stage tlie Premier drew attention to tlie fact that no Hansard reporter was present, and asked on whose authority the new departure was made. 'Tlie Chairman of Committees stated that the -chief of Hansard had informed him it was on tlie instructions of the Speaker. Progress was reported for tho Speaker’s explanation. The Speaker, on taking the chair, said that Hansard suffered under disabilities compared with the old House. Hansard was not required to report committees, except Committee of Supply. The only report they took was the same as that taken by tlie Clerk of the House, and the only true official record of the proceedings was that contained in the Journal of the House. He did not see the necessity for duplicating reports, and had therefore informed the chief of Hansard that his reporters need not be coming in and out of the House every few minutes to do nothing. Sir Joseph Ward disagreed with the decision of the Speaker, while admitting lie had acted for the best. Ultimately the Speaker agreed to the Hansard reporters being present. Mr. Malcolm’s amendment was negatived by 41 votes to 15 votes.

At clause 12, Hon. Goo. Fowlds moved certain amendments enabling school committees to select a teacher from four names submitted by the Board. ' Alr A. S. Alalcohn moved an amendment in the direction of giving Boards power to make transfers without consulting school committees.

General discussion on the lines of the second reading debate took place on the value of tho functions of school committees.

Eventually Air. Malcolm's amendment was defeated by 50 to 2. Air. T. Alaekenzie moved an amendment to ensure a better system of transfers between city and country schools. This was lost by 41 to 16.