In Parliament

Horowhenua Chronicle, 30 August 1913, Page 4

In Parliament

Questions By Members (NEW ZEALAND BIIiDS. Mr G. M. Thomson to ask the Prime Minister, What arrangements have been made by the present or previous Governments with Mr James Drunmiond, of Christchurch, in relation to the preparation of an illustrated work on the birds of New Zealand ? The Hon. Mr Massey replied, If the honourable member will be so good to repeat this question next week, the Government will then be in a:position to answer it. CIVIL SERVANTS. Mr Clark to ask the Prime Minister, Whether he is aware that the head of one of the Departments of which he is the Minister in Charge is drawing a salary of about £300 a year for managing an outside estate while drawing a salary of £725 per year from the State? (Note. -As the regulations of the Railway Department prohibit a railway man from selling milk, as he would thereby be competing against the milk-sup-pliers, surely it is not equitable that what applies to lpwer-paid servants should apply to the higher paid officials.) The Hon. Mr Massey replied, The officer referred to states that he is not in receipt of a salary, but receives a small annual payment for acting as advisory trustee [ on the estate of a deceased relative. The matter is being referred to the , Public Service Commissioner. DEER SKINS. Dr A. K. Newman to ask the Prime Minister, Whether he will direct the Department of Agriculture, Industries, and Commerce to find some market for the sale of deer skins? (It is believed that this will lead to a valuable export trade.) The Hon. Mr Massey replied, It is understood that there is no market for deer skins in Australasia. The High Commissioner is being asked whether a market exists in Europe, and his reply will be published when received. FEEBLE-MINDED GIRLS. Mr Myers to ask the Minister of Education, Whether the Government do not consider that the time has now arrived when they should erect a school for feebleminded girls on the same lines as the school at Otcknike: and whether, should the Government decide to erect such an institution, provision will be made in it for those girls who appear before the Magistrate's Court, after school age, and are adjudged to be mentally deficient ? Note.—lt would

be advantageous if an institution of this kind were.in the nature of a farm colony so far as the older inmates are concerned, the sexes being rigidly segregated, and the cases classified in various cottagehomes. No effort should be spared in the effort of making the institution self-supporting, and u> this end the inmates should be paid wages for work done, this hav.-iig proved elseAvhere to have a most beneficial elfect. In this connection, also, any goods or articles produced by the inmates of the institution should be sold at current market rates.) The Hon. Mr Allen replied, (1) I would refer the honourable member to the paragraph in the Budget dealing with special schools. The matter is receiving the earnest attention of the Government, and provision is being made for the accommodation of girls as well as boys at Otekaike. It is hoped that the institution will be ready to receive the girls early next year.. (2). In the case of feebleminded children, school age extends to the age of twenty-one. The Magistrate has power to extend t this time in periods not exceeding four years. RAILWAY FAKES. Mr Bradnoy to ask the Government, Whether it is true that ltoman Catholic children are not allowed free passes on New Zealand railways to attend high schools in the dominion ; and, if so, will they amend the regulations that every one may enjoy equal political privileges irrespective of class or colour!-' The Hon. Mr Hemes replied, No discrimination whatever is shown against lloman Catholic children in so far as conveyance by rail is concerned. The regulations lay down the conditions, under which free school tickets are issued, and anyone can obtain such tickets on complying strictly with the provisions of the regulations.'

POLICE FORCE

Mr-Glover to ask the Minister of Justice, Whether he will amend the Police Force Act so as to provide for the compulsory retirement of all members of the Force at sixty-five years of age, or sooner if they have had forty years' service?

The Hon. Mr Herdman replied, A clause amending the Police Force Act to provide for the retirement of members of the Force at the age of sixty-five years appears 011 Suppleineutarv Paper Noll.

CABLING CHARGES. Mr Okey to ask the PostmasterGeneral, Whether, m order to bring the cost of cable communication between the Dominion and the Old Country within reasonable limits, he will consider the advisability of co-operating with Australia in the direction of breaking down the vested interests that exist at present, even if it necessitates the nationalizing of the cable business, giving the companies a fair price for their interests? The Hon. Mr 11. H. Rhodes replied, The Government is fully impressed with the desirability of cheapening the cost of cable communication between the Domiuion and other parts of the world, and with this object in view has been and is still in communication with the Commonwealth authorities on the subject of a in rates. The nationalisation of the cable business is a proposition of such complexity and magnitude that it would constitute a tit subject for an .internation conference, but is scarcely one in connection with which this Dominion should take the initiative.