“TO BE OR NOT TO BE.”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2305, 25 September 1908, Page 3

“TO BE OR NOT TO BE.”

THE EDUCATION BILL. TO BE PROCEEDED AVITH. (Special to “Times.”) AVELLINGTON, - Sept, 24. A brief discussion took place in the House yesterday afternoon regarding the Education Bill, which has occupied a place of varying obscurity on tho Order Paper since Mr. AVilford’* amendment in favor of uniform school books was recently curried against the Government. Mr. Barclay asked the Minister of Education wliat course he proposes to pursue in connection with the Education Bill, and received the following reply: “The matter will be dealt with w'hen a statement is made to the House by the Prime Afinister regarding the business to he dealt with this session. Afr. Barcloy, who had supported Air AVilford’s amendment, said ihe had voted for it, not so much in favor of uniform school hooks, as with, the object of getting free books. Hon. members appeared to scent a reversal of Air. Barclay’s vote, and there were many cries of “Oh, that’s too thin.” and “Tlieold game again.” Mr. Baumo • expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that the Education Bill had practically disappeared irom the Order Paper. •Air Field: It is still over on the Order Paper. Air. Baumo: Yes, we know what it means when we see a Bill in the I3th or 14th place oil the Order Hiper. The speaker said ho was in favor of uniformity in school hooks to a certain exteht, but notwithstanding thathe had voted against the amendment in order to save the Bill. The measure was a very important one, and it behoved all members to consider the advisability of sinking, minor differences in order to assist in its passage. Air. Aitken said that tho fact that there had been an adverse vote against the Government on one clause would not absolve it from responsibility if the Bill ditf- not pass this session.

The Minister for Education said that Air. Barclay had let; the cat out of the bag as far as he was concerned, but he would go further than Mr. Barclay land: say that it would, be -disastrous if the uniform school book was instituted. It Mould bo u different tiling altogether to the free school book. It was because he had thought some members were in doubt in the same position as Mr. Barclay and had voted as they thought for a free book that ho hud taken the course lie had. A uniform school book would be a larger expense to parents than ton years’ cost of the present -interchange from one district to -another. He (the Afinister) had told Air. AVilford some time before that the question of a uniform book would be gone into. In view of that he had been very surprised when that member moved Ills- amendment. Mr. AVilford: I gave you notice of it-. The Prime Alinister’s statement; in regard to tho Bill was made this evening. “AVe propose,” he said, “to go on with this Bill. (Hear, hear.) AA’e are going on with it,” he continued, “on the understanding that an important alteration made in committee is not- insisted upon.” Mr. AVilford: There is no understanding with mo. Tho Prime Afinister: Wo have not asked for on understanding with any particular person. No persons except Alinisters have any right- to introduce matters of policy into any Bill. Afr Massey :• I can t agree with that. Sir Joseph AVard said that he was speaking about policy mutters, and that lie did not- intend to allow himself to bo side-tracked.