PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 July 1923, Page 1

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

EXCURSION FARES POLICY

“Popularise the railways by issuing cheap excursion fares to New Zealand s beauty spots,” is a suggestion to the Minister of Railways by Mr AVitty. The Ministerial answer is that cxeur■doll tickets at cheap rates are issued over the railways at suitable periods, „n,| these provide reasonable opportunity for any persons who desire to visit tlie various scenic resorts of the Dominion." It is not considered that excursion tickets issued at other periods of Hie year would bo availed of to anv considerable extent for the pmposo mentioned, and they would simply result in a depletion of the Department's revenue.

A PAPER PULPING LEASE. The Government was asked by Mr Witty what they intend to do with regard to a hush area which was leased to'a syndicate for the production of paper pulp, whether the syndicate still holds the lease, and, if so, will the Government see that it carries on the work or cancel the lease

Sir Heaton Rhodes, Commissioner of State Forests, replied that the area in question is now a provisional Stale forest, and not subject to rights or leases of any kind. The lease held by the syndicate referred to expired many years ago. and tlie syndicate went into voluntary liquidation. Future action in regard to the lam! is under consideration.

PRIMARY TEACHERS’ GRADING. An amendment of the provisions lor payment of salaries of public school touchers so as to reduce tlie number of grades of assistant teachers and thus avoid io a large extent the necessity for transfer from school to school, is at present receiving the consideration of the Department, states the Minister of Education. Regulations are being drafted to ensure that transfers shall ns far as possible, take place at the end of the school year.

PA.RLIAMENTA&Y MANNERS. % unnatural calm of the atmosphere in the House lias ceased, although debates are far from being uproarious. Mr Speaker, whose exceedingly severe discipline during the Financial Debate tins irksome io members, especially those who cultivate the intei nipt ion habit, lias relaxed a little. I iiterrepl ions are not m lumro to he limited to laiiglitei and "Hear, hears. The lion E. Si a I liaiu has laid down from the chair a wider scope for the interrupter. He took occasion to-day to firmly conclude some cross talk between the leader of the Opposition and a .Minister, and gave this ruling. ‘ I have been allowing courteous interruptions to be made, courteous questions to be a-lied ol speakers, but T will not allow argument to be used across the fhior of the House. Alien a member is speaking il is highly improper for another member to use argument or to heckle the speaker. 1 give this linal warning. I shall use strong measures io suppress disorderly iniei'riiplioii."