N.Z. PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 26 November 1932, Page 5

N.Z. PARLIAMENT

IN THE HOUSE.

(Pet Press Association-* Copyright )

WELLINGTON, November 26.

In the House of Representatives yesterday, the National Expenditure Adjustment Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. Progress was made with the committee stage of Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Amendment Bill. The Education, Committee, reporting on a number of petitions asking for a continuance of the subsidy to free Kindergartens recommended they should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, as soon as the finances of the country permitted.

Mr Atmore said all that was wanted was a zeal for the work of the kindergerten institutions, and he pointed to the fact that Roman .Catholics who were not a wealthy section of the community had not curtailed their educational facilities. The Government seemed to be devoid vof educational ideals. There had never been greater need for more education' than at the present time.

Mr Fraser said that the committee’s recommendation seemed to be an attempt to shelve the question. In his opinion, the raising of the school age (which he understood was to he reviewed this year because it had proved unworkable) had made it imperative that kindergarten work should be expanded.

Mr Armstrong moved that the petition be referred back to the Committee for further consideration. Mr Jones urged that the Government make every effort to find at least portion of the former grant for kindergarten work. Mr Bodkin, chairman of the Com-

mittee, replying to the debate, assured the House that the committee had no desire for the question to be shelved. The whole matter had been disrupted f by the Committee on strictly nonparty lines. Mr Armstrong’s amendment was de-

feated by 37 votes to 21. and the Committee’s report was adopted. The House rose at 5.30 p.m. till tuesday.