In Parliament. Questions by Members

Horowhenua Chronicle, 6 October 1913, Page 3

In Parliament. Questions by Members

AND MINISTERS' REPLIES TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Mr Sidey to ask the Minister of Education, Whether" lie or the Public Service Commissioner is responsible for the creation of the ofhee of Director of Technical Education, and on what principle has th.« ofiieot been filled?

llie Hon. Mr,Allen replied, Nn new office lias been created; the officer described as Inspector and Director of Technical Education lias been doing- the work so described ever since his appointment ill 1901. The description was inserted by the Public Service Commissioner in the provisional classification list on information furnished to him by the InspectorGeneral of Schools. It correctly describes the actual facts, which art well known to most of the those connected with technical education in New Zealand. WATERWORKS PIPES. Mr Young fo ask llie Minister of Railways, Whether the Government will make an amendment in the railway tariff schedule by allowing a rebate on the freight paid 1)V local authorities on cast and other iron pipes used for waferworks ? The Hon. Mr Herries replied, It is intended to revise the tariff af an early date, and the representations made in respect to the freight on pipes used for waterworks will be borne in mind. The (|iiestion will be given consideration and a final decision come to at that time. • JENNINGS THE LIMPET. The Hon. Mr Millar to ask the Minister of Marine, What is the Government's reason for desiring to remove the Government nominee on the Waitara llarbour Board P The Hon. Mr Fisher replied, A protest was received by the Minister of Marine from three members of the Waitara Harbour Hoard, who objected to sii on the Hoard with the Government nominee. Mr W. T. Jennings, on the ground that Mr Jennings was illegally appointed to the Board and was not qualified to act as member. The protest was referred to the Crown LaAv Department, and the circumstances of Mr Joining's appointment were investigated,' when it was found that he was not then and is not now eligible for appointment to or for a seat on the Waitara Harbour Board. If has become necessary, therefore, for the Crown Law Department to take proceedings in the Supreme Court to remove Mr Jennings from office. The position was pointed out to Mr Jennings long ago, and an opportunity was given hi in lo retire from the position, but since he has refused it has become necessary to enforce the law. CHINESE LABOUR. Mr Glover to ask the Minister of Customs, Whether he will take steps to prevent the unfair competition occasioned by the introduction into New Zealand of niantlepieces and other joinery manufactured ill Melbourne by Chinamen ? The Hon. Mr Fisher replied, It is not practicable to discriminate between the furniture made by Chinese in Australia and that made by British labour. As a rule, furniture made by Chinese would not be exported by such Chinese, but lb rough a Melbourne merchant. The rates on wicker and rattan ware will be cons idered by the House when the tariff seherules are brought down.