PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

Hokitika Guardian, 20 July 1923, Page 1

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES

teaching Swimming. The lion ('. J. Parr (Minister of Education), replying to a question, stated: When swimming capitation was paid the classes were in n great maiority of eases held during school hours, for which the teachers were already paid. Further, in quite the majority of cases, the children simply went into the hatlis lor a swim, and there was very little general instruction in learning to swim. In many large schools with swimming baths attached. and in connexion with which swimming capitation had been paid lor years, not more than 2"> per cent, ot the children in standard classes could swim. In some cases the capitation pavmcnt was paid to some oi the teachers in the school; in others it was devoted to the purchase of sports material. ami had little to do with the stimulation of swimming itself. Though the Department is anxious to promote swimming in schools, it is satisfied that the withdrawal of the grant has had very little material ell'ect on the number" of children learning to swim, ami that the restoration of the payment of capitation would not result in any appreciable advantage.

X.Z. 111!EWERIKS TAXATION. 'Replying to Mr L. M. Lilt's question about breweries taxation—whether the Minister of Kinam-e will see that just taxation is collected according to the value set forth in the New Zealand Brew eries F.til. prospect us —M r Massey M-day made the following reply: The assessment of duty will be made by the officers of the Stamp Duties Deportment in accordance with the law. and a full investigation nl the transactions will he made when assessing duty.

NATIONAL ENDOWMENTS. The total area comprised in the National Endowment on .March Jlst. was approximately P.908.:T)1i acres. Ol this an area of 12.202 acres was held on lease or license sub-divided into .1 |A,7 holdings, the annual rental payable being £139.03;, while 1.09:1.309 acres have been set aside as provisional State forest. Ihe total revenue derived front this endowment during the past year was Cl ,-I 19.-13-1. The annual report states that the present linanciul position is responsible for the small number of lessees ol national endowment lands who desire to take advantage of the facilities provided lor acquiring th tee simple.