WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 9 January 1932, Page 2

WELLINGTON TOPICS

THE NEW PARLIAMENT,

EARLY SESSION

(Special Correspondent)

WELLINGTON, Jan. 7

It is expected that the new Parliament will be summoned to business not later than the first week in March next, perhaps as early as the middle of February, and, whatever, the date may be, that the two Houses, having dealt with urgent affairs, will be prorogued until the usual meeting time at the close of June. Just what the urgent affairs may be has not yet been fully disclosed ; but before leaving for Honolulu, to meet the Canadian delegates there, Mr Downie Stewart, the Minister of Finance, let it be known that he was by no means sure the arrangements lie had made for adjusting the Budget would meet all the needs of the situation. Since then, it would seem, the position has not improved. Civil servants at the moment are a little perturbed lest they should become the victims of another salary “cut”; but so far as can be gathered from those in authority they lire In no immediate peril. EDCCAtIOK SYSTEM. “1 wOnder,’ afcks a corespondent in the morning paper } “if we can possibly •muck up' the education of our children more than we already are doing?” This is a question for the Hon. ■Robert Masters, the sturdy new Minister of Education, to answer, and he is sure to be interesting when lie sets about the task. Meanwhile one sentence from this impeachment of the existing school routine may not be inopportune. .“Nearly every year, writes tile critic, “sees some new device, at once indisputable, infallible solution of the new teaching enigma. A coulpe of days even spent in examining the results of our enlightened education system are sufficient to make the judicious weep copiously.” A column of this kind from the pen of a critic who obviously knows much of the systems and the products of the primary schools of the Dominion makes striking and suggestive reading. Mr Masters may find here additional stimulus for the great national work in which he is engaged. PRACTICAL PATRIOTISM. Rather mo ( re ; than twenty-eight years ago Sir llenry Wigram, much against his own inclination, entered the Legislative Council on the solicitation, one might say, of Richard John Seddon, warmly backed up by Sir Charles Bowen, then a member of the Council and to become two years later its very capable Speaker; Sir Henryj then uiiburdeiied by a title, declined thd distinction when it was first press, ed upon him by Mr Seddolt, pleading that ho had neither tlio time nor tile qualities required for a 'political career; but the Libaral Prime Minister subsequently persuaded him to take a week to further consider the matter. In the interval Mr Seddon solicited the good offices of Sir Charles Bowen, who ultimately succeeded in persuading Sir Henry, still much against his will, that it was his duty to take up yet another burden in the interests of his adopted country. Now one is reminded of all this by another splendid benefaction lie lias bestowed upon the Dominion. CRICKET. Th© mate'll, between Wellington and Canterbury, which was expected to determine possession of the Plunket Shi Id for the current year, ended disappointingly on Tuesday afternoon, save for the poor sports who rejoice rather in the luck than in the sport of the game. The eager crowd would have liked to see the match carried to a plainer conclusion, but that was gainsaid zy Tuesday’s weather. The southern team had the least of the luck on the opening day and fared no better on the second. Jn the circumstances the Canterbury representatives put up a great fight under difficult conditions, and the displays of Roberts and Page on Monday and Tuesday were worthy of all the applause they promoted. Wellington was left at the head of the shield scores, but the trial of strength is still open to discussion and it will not be at all surprising if Canterbury finishes up at the top of the list. In any case the quality of New Zealand cricket stands fuly confirmed.