ONE NAME OR MORE?

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 609, 11 September 1909, Page 14

ONE NAME OR MORE?

IN SCHOOL APPOINTMENTS

"WAS PARLIAMENT DUPED?"' Speaking , to a .reporter in. reference to the opinion of ,Jlr. C. K Skerrett, K.C., in which, he states that , the Education, Board has tho power ,to-6ubmit .either,'one. name only, or as many as they choose, to committees, in school, appointments,",the Rev. A. Thomson, a member ' ot the Petone School Committee, said-. "If the' opinion ; given ins; by Mr. Skerrett is correct, then': it-is very'clear that the Minister for Education duped the House when the Bill was borore Parliament., The intontion of; the'. Bill when it was - introduced . was. very clear.' The Minister intended-to take-away all real -con. sulfation .and voice- in, 'the appointment of teaohers from the school committees,'and to : ■vest /the supreme ;authorit'y in this matter, in the ..boards,- but when .he reached what .-he • termed., his' &bting: clause' in the Bill,', the House - would; have none of-'it, and he; was ~ j-'i? withdraw the .Bill.; in ■ order to so, -.amend that clause,as.to conserve therrights of the .committees ,in the appointment of teachers. 'It-'.'s. evident - that the-House' l thought that that had,been- done, or the, measure would, not, have been passed;; If tho,Minister and his legal advisers, . through some species of legal - casuis-' try, have accomplished what Mr. Skerrett says' in nis letter, then the House, was undoubtedly duped. But. finality in the- matter! has not. been reached .by, obtaining the opinion oka. I lawyer, . as the declaratory Judgments Act, provides for a decision! that cannot be . If. the decision should confirm the opinionYgiven by-Mr. Skerrett to tho Pe- ? n fi" SMPfflz-CoiDnattej, -.then' the' committees of the. Dominion: must avail .themselves of'■ the coming, session ■ affords them of getting the,:matter- brought: ".before :Parlwment..:. This-. matter is not one which -is •bMng_-awoo«Bsdv,'M 1 y.--by, .the ''committees..-'in ™.® .Wellington^Education ■ District ;'-'it' concerns h ' country,'-.and .-no* doubt they will take concerted action. A meets'?' '| a " n K as: its the .formation' of a. bchool Association, is being-held on September 25,".whin tho- question - wilT- como