POLITICAL NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2285, 2 September 1908, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(Special to “Times.”) WELLINGTON, Sept. 1. THE EDUCATION BILL. ’ . Clause 12 of the Education Amendment Bill has been described by Mr T. Mackenzie as “the fmliting clause.” It proposes to place the appointment of teachers more completely in the hands of the Education Boirds than heretofore. Already a supplementary order paper bearing the name of Mr Sidey and containing new proposals under this head is in circulation. The effect of these amendments is to give the committees a considerable amount of power in the selection of teachers. The hoard is to submit to the committee a list of not more than sis of the applicants who are deemed competent to fill the vacancy in question with information as to their qualifications. The committee may choose one of the names .in the list and the hoard must appoint the teacher so selected. THE BANKRUPTCY ACT.

A petition was presented to the House to-day by Mr. Baunie from the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and Auckland merchants asking for a commission of enquiry as to what amendments to the bankruptcy laws of the Dominion are desirable. It is asked that the Commission should consist of the senior Official Assignee of tho Dominion, with one or two leading merchants and a similar number of experienced accountants, and that it should be empowered to prepare, or cause to be prepared, a uew Bill in substitution for the present Bankruptcy Act. The i>etitioners ask that the law should be remodelled and amended so that while insolvents, as at present, -receive every protection when their conduct has been boua fide, the general public, and the commercial community, whom the bankruptcy laws particularly affect, should have ilieir interests safeguarded and be afforded more adequate protection against- dishonest traders and insolvents. It is stated that- since tho E resent- Act was passed in 1592, there as been a large increase in population and trade in the Dominion, and that the Act now fails to meet the altered conditions of trade. “That- the administration of the Act is not considered satisfactory,” says the petition, “is also proved by the large and increasing numbers of private assignments to creditors’ trustees, a practice that is inimical to the best interests of the commercial community.” A reduction in the size of bankruptcy districts, increased remuneration for Official Assignees, and the appointment of one or more judges_ to attend solely to bankruptcy, business are amongst" the amendments desired bv the petitioners. THE" ARBITRATION BILL. It is pointed out that under the Arbitration Bill now before Parliament, a ••lock-out” is only possible when a.number of employers lock-out-their employees.. If one employer locks out his employees that is not a lock-out within the meaning of the Bill. Probably this is onlv an error in draftsmanship, and will be rectified in due course. The discussion on the Bill in the House when it comes back from the Labor Bills Commit too is expected to prove of more than ordinary interest. Numerous amendments are predicted before the Bill becomes law. SECOND BALLOT BILL.

It is stated that a number of Government suptHuiets are determined to stonewall the Second Ballot Bill. The Opposit ion also will oppose it. Indeed, there seems to bo a pretty general ccwtoonsns of opinion that the Government has adopted a had principle. and that there ate many objections to such a Bill becoming law.