VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 January 1921, Page 4

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION]

SCIENCE CONGRESS.

PALMERSTON N., Jan 20

At tlio Science Congress, tlie 10l lowing papers were read:—New Zealand oils, (Professor Easterfiekl and N. Mehellan) ; agricultural, (Sir J. Wilson); service and principle relatively of motion, (E. Millar) ; natural camouflage marine moll lisa, (Miss YVestayer) electric power, (L. Birks); quantum theory (Professor Robertson) ; biological pollens of Pacific, (Dr Chilton) ; cretaceous rocks, (Dr Marshall); geology, Western Samoa, (Dr Allan Thompson.)

THE DEFENCE FORCES

A* MODIFIED SCHEME

WELLINGTON, January 26

The Defence Minister stated to-day that a , modified scheme of organisation and administration of the Defence Forces had been approved by the Government, and would bo initiated forthwith. With a view of securing the greatest possible economy consistent with efficiency. The Minister regrets that it is necessary to retire a number of officers, some of long service. The permanent force for the future will consist, of the minimum number of highly-trained officers in the Staff Corps and Royal New Zealand Artillery noces sary to c arrv on tho administration and training of the Territorial Force. The retiring officers will be selected with strict impartiality, primarily on a basis of their war records. The Government will endeavour to compensate these officers on the most favourable terms possible, the minimum compensation to

consist of three months’ leave on full pay and a months’, pay for each year of service with the department. The Government will pay superannuation in the c nse of all officers within three and a half years of the qualifying period, granting them leave until the retiring age of 55 years has been reached. In tin 1 meantime the Government will pay superannuation contribution.

SOLDIERS’ SETTLEMENT sCHKMI-

AUCKLAND, January 26

J The suggested postponement of op- ! orations in connection with the Soldiers’ Settlement Scheme was discussed in Wellington on Tuesday by the Dominion executive of the Farmers’ Union and was referred to by Mr Massey to-day. He said, he believed he knew the two farms referred to as having been purchased in the most expensive district in Nw Zealand recently for probably £l5O an acre. If these were the same as the two he had in mind the facts were that the smaller of the two was bought for £9O an acre, and the larger for £3O. His experience was that land purchased hr the Government for settlement purposes had turned out to be very good bargains in almost .every instance. W ith regard to the larger issue of postponing the scheme. Air Massey said the country was pledged to it and it must go forward.

‘‘CA PPIXG CARNIVALS.’ ’

WELLINGTON, January 26,

At the University Senate, Rev. Dr. Came,Yon (Dunedin), moved flint on the request of any College Council the Senate agrees to hold the graduation ceremony in that centre.

In the course of the discussion which followed, reference was made to buffoonery of the students and the disgrace which their misconduct at ceremonies brought on the University, but the motion was carried by 13 votes to 8.

If FXZIXF EX PLOSION

TWO MEN SERIOUSLY HURT.

WELLINGTON: Jan 26

1 1'° coastal steamer Knpuni, which arrived at Wellington to-day from I’awas severely shaken l>v an cxplosion of benzine at I‘atea on Tuesday afternoon. \Vlia.t was believed to *bo a t.n of kerosene was being poured into a tank in the engine room, when the li<lit i< 1, which proved (o be benzine exploded. X. Walker, engineer arid I.eiteh fireman, were severely burnt about the .bead, face and neck and arms, and are in Paten Hospital! The vessel escaped .structural damage, excepting that the paintwork of the engine room was burnt off and the skylights were blown off the engine room.

EDUCATION BOARD

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER

WELLINGTON, Jan 20. A deputation from the Dominion Edu cation Boards waited on the Minister to-day.

Air Purdy (Auckland) urged the great necessity for modifying the regulations bearing on educational matters.

Air Swanger (Wanganui) pointed out that .owing to the Department’s mistake, second year pupil teachers had been overpaid. He held that it was a hardship that they should be called m>on to refund.

Air Lane (Canterbury) asked that Matriculation and, D. Examinations should be held earlier, so that results could bo announced sooner. Under the present conditions, the work of the train ing colleges was dislocated. Mr Dana (Napier )urged the revision of the capitation and regulations regarding loss of attendance through epidemics. Mr White (Taranaki), complained that in his district the increase in the buildings maintenance grant averaged only 25 per cent. whereas the costs of maintenance had gone up 200 per cent. Air Andrews (Canterbury), stressed the necessity for a bigger grant than eightponce per head.for conveying children to school. Contract prices had gone up, with the result that Nelson was losing £IOO per year, Canterbury nearly £3OO and Otago £4OO. The Afinister emphasised the difficulties of the present financial position, but said ho would give the various matters serious consideration.