NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 23 September 1901, Page 2

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Democrats— at least some folks who pose as Democrats—are at times so wrapt up with their own importance and superiority as to surpass the aristocrats of the Old World in their demand for “recognition ” from their fellows. Something of the kind cropped up quite recently in the New Zealand House of

Representatives, the orderlies at the entrance to Parliament House having been reported for failing to salute. Captain Napier, the member for Auckland City, when he appeared at the doorway the other evening in uniform, on his return from the farewell supper to Colonel Penton. The matter was brought up in the House in the form of a question by Mr. Horrsby. The Premier stated that it was a fact that the orderlies were reported, but the Commandant did not think there had been any neglect of duty—an answer which was received with “Hear, hear” and laughter at Mr. Napier’s expense. We can understand an aristocratic ensign in the British Army “ fuming and raging ” at such a dreadful slight, but a New Zealand Democrat— and a member of a Democratic Parliament —being hurt at such a matter is a trifle laughable.

Ministers’ salaries were increased last session, it is said, upon a distinct understanding that members should this session receive a guicl pro quo in the shape of a rise of £OO, bringing members’ salaries up to £3OO per annum. Wc have heard so much about retrenchment of late that the fulfilment of the promise —if promise there was—has been kept in the back ground, the Premier having given no hint of his intentions on the matter. Mr. Fisher, however, evidently means to bring things to a crisis, as he has given notice of his intention to ask the Premier whether he will introduce a Bill in accordance with the following announcement, contained in the speech delivered by his Excellency the Governor at the opening of the present session:— “A measure having for its object an increase in the salaries of members of Parliament will be submitted for your consideration and early attention.” After all the loud talk about retrenchment and the iniquity of increasing salaries, i:. will be interesting to note how these would-be economists vote on the matter of “ increase in their own screws.”

The Dunedin Education Board is thoroughly displeased with the Teachers’ Salaries Commission report and at their meeting last week passed resolutions (1) protesting against the recommendation that only two grades of certificates of competency be issued ; (2) viewing with alarm the curtailment of inducements to boys and men to enter into and continue in service at a time when there is a marked and serious falling off in the number of male teachers ; (3) protesting in the strongest manner against the proposed payment of teachers in schools under twenty ; (4) expressing the opinion that a pursuance of the policy set down in the recommendation of the Commission must inevitable lead to the teaching profession being ultimately handed over to women or to the Boards having to look abroad for the supply of male teachers.