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No. 239.—Petition of William C. Smith, of Tauranga. Praying for an increased pension or other relief for services rendered as a public servant. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 9th November, 1927.

Child Welfare Amendment Bill. I have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered the above Bill, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed, with the amendments shown on the copy of the Bill attached hereto. 10th November, 1927.

Education Amendment Bill. I have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered the above Bill, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed, with the amendments shown on the copy of the Bill attached hereto. 25t|) November, 1927.

No. 337.—Petition of J. R. Wilson, of Fairlie. Praying for a refund by the Education Department of full legal expenses incurred owing to a scholar at his school meeting with an accident. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 29th November, 1927.

No. 73. —Petition of T. L. Lancaster and 14 Others, of Auckland (and 40 similar Petitions, as per Schedule attached). Praying that no alteration be made in the secular status of State-owned schools. I am directed to report that the Committee has heard evidence on the subject-matter of these petitions, and is of opinion that the New Zealand State system of free, secular, and compulsory education (under which our children have received incalculable benefits, and under which, after fifty years' experience, our people —the immense majority of whom have passed through our schools—compare most favourably morally, socially, and religiously with the people of any other part of the world) should be maintained. Further, that the Committee is fully alive to the value of biblical and religious instruction, and is of the opinion that full opportunity should be given for the adoption of a voluntary system, such as that known as the Nelson system, in which the teaching is imparted outside the school hours, under which the State exercises no authority in religious matters, and under which there is no compulsion or violation of conscience. sth December, 1927.

Schedule. No. 74.— W. Lewins and 10 others. No. 94. —F. J. Pearce and 61 others. No. 75.— F. J. Tackaberry and 16 other ■. No. 95.—A. J. C'areburt and 58 others. No. 76.— K. ft. Clarke and 7 others. No. 96.—M. M. Keating and 14 others. No. 77. —R. J. Martin and 36 others. No. 97.—ft. Stevenson and 4 others. No. 78. —M. Dibble and 95 others. No. 98. —F. J. Hutchinson and 21 others. No. 79.— T. Mason and 32 others. No. 99. —G. Fowlds and 6 others. No. 80.—A. Rosser and 7 others. No. 100.—L. Ramsey and 54 others. No. 81. —G. J. Poeook and 6 others. * No. 101.—P. A. Gravenor and another. No. 82.—0. Mcßrine and 22 others. No. 102. —K. 0. Arvidson and 32 others. No. 83. —C. I). McLean. No. 103. —T. Kay and 2 others. No. 84. —G. T. Jones and 7 others. No. 104. —J. B. R. Stead and 6 others. No. 85. —A. F. McDonnell and 13 other?. No. 105. —E. Lediard and 34 others. No. 86. —N. M. Foster and 54 others. No. 131. —G. Connelly and 193 others. No. 87. —F. J. Hutchinson and 9 others. No. 135.— F. L. Combs and another. No. 88.— T. D. Hamilton and 7 others. No. 138.— F. L. Sharp. No. 89. —W. Huckisson and 65 others. No. 146.— F. A. de la Mare and 45 others. No. 90. —A. Hinder and 22 others. No. 147.—L. R. Harvey and 64 others. No. 91. —W. L. Petty and 16 others. , No. 173. —J. R. Salt and 18 others. No. 92. —M. A. Rait and 38 others. No. 174.— J. Caughley. No. 93. —M. B. Clark and 9 others. No. 266. —Right Rev. H. W. Cleary.

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