MOCK PARLIAMENT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1516, 12 August 1912, Page 7

MOCK PARLIAMENT.

AT THE WELLINGTON 1 COLLEGE. Those boys' at the Wellington College who have at tlio back of: their hcad3 adim idea that some day they ■ may, ,bo. •called on to take their places in the political'arena had an ■ opportunity of learning a few of tho rudiments of "the game, of politics" (to quote ' a locally-written song quito recently published) at the meeting of tho College Debating Society •on Fridav evening last. On that occasion several interesting questions were gravely discussed, and somo novel ideas wero promulgated. Tho Government was represented by the following Ministry;— 0. Borer, Premier and Minister for Land, Finance, and Labour; F. Jonhn, Internal Affairs; U. S. Johnson, Education and Dofenco; P. Locker, AttorneyGeneral and Justice; G. 23. Ml, Tost-'master-General; W. Ivory, Customs and Marino; E. Gries, Natives 'and 1 Foreign-, ers; Casclbcrg, Railways; J. Williamson, Public Works; Stockman, Porks. Roadways, Footpaths. G. Lusk was Whip for tho Government. Tho. Opposition- Loader was N. Moss (member for Awnrua), and Earlo (Duncdinl and Corkill (Molneka) wero tho Opposition Whips: To supplement the failing Treasury a Bill to provido for tho taxation of bachelors was brought down'by the Prime, Minister, who i expatiated at some length on its.pl'oTho Premier showed, that in 18S2 Iho number of bachelors was . one-fifth per cent, of tins population, whilst in 1011 it was 8 per coat, and if they wero allowed to increase at this alarming rate ull tho men would bo bachelors in IMli. (Loud applause.) . Tho Dill was thrown out on tlio voices. An amending Education Bill introduced bv the Minister, for Education, who stated that it was introduced for tho. sako of economy; more general' instruction; sport; a minimum salary, for teachers of .£lO -Is. Vjd.per year was provided; maximum numbel' of pupils per. teacher to bo 20; no detention; girls, excluded from corporal-punishment; Wellington Girls' Cnllcire be combined with Wellington Boys' College;' school caps worn bv. both sexes. . ...'.. The UiH 'pasetl.-ull throo slagos at the, one sitting; - .■, : A Dcfclie'e.Act Amendment; Bill was introduced by tho Leader of. tin Opposition','., which provided for:—Abolition of fcnior. cadets; existing }»ol punishment for dissenters "be .substituted by _ detent ion ;n barracks;, age of Territorial s-rvice be. between.! 1.6 •years 10 days to 10 years 11 months .and .'ll days; yearly, parades,as follow:: nightly (whenever they roll ,iip). co.mp seven days, preferably in July ami August; two full days', parades not. '.on public holidays; uniforms which fit to. bo supplied. This Bill was also put through all its stages at. a sitting, in view of the urgency of its provision.". Subsequently a voto of "no confidence in tho Government" was carried. .