THE POLITICAL ARENA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5, 3 May 1912, Page 5

THE POLITICAL ARENA.

THE PRIME MINISTER. iPer Press Association i Christchurch, May 2. Mr Mackenzie passed through Christchurch this morning. Asked concerning the political position, lie expressed gratification at the reception accorded to .himself and his colleagues everywhere in the North Island. The question of dissolution was mentioned, and the Premier replied: “If the feeling of the country towards us is reflected hy members of Parliament during the session, there is no fear of a dissolution taking place. Mr Massey is telling his friends to be ready, because he does not know what a month may bring forth, but whatsoever happens I believe Mr Massey is not the man his friends will look to. They realise that he had his opportunity last election, but bungled the whole campaign.” THE HON. H. G. ELL. Wanganui, May 2. The Hon. IT. G. Ell, PostmasterGeneral, had few leisure moments today. In the morning he received Chamber of Commerce deputations relative to the requirements of the town and district. In. the afternoon he inspected the harbour works and was driven to various points of the town, and visited public and scholastic institutions. In the evening lie again received deputations. To-morrow morning the Minister will leave for Rangiwahia, where he will open the now post office in tire afternoon and attend a banquet in the evening.

THE EDUCATION QUESTION

Master ton, May 2. The Hon. A. J. Hanan, Minister of Education, officially opened the Assembly Hall at the Mastorton District High School to-day. He was accompanied by the" Hon. Te Rangihiroa, Minister in charge of Maori Councils. Addresses of welcome having been given, Mr Hanan spoke at considerable length on the education question. He stated that public opinion on this question must precede legislation. In reference, to the universifcy,>Mr Han- VfclX an said that the new Ministry had decided to extend the principle of free university education by opening the door to university bursaries somewhat more widely than hitherto. Such bursaries had been tenable only by those who gained credit in the university junior scholarship examination, even although! they, had not obtained scholarships. It was now proposed that university bursaries, carrying free university education, should be open to all who had completed satisfactorily four years of the secondary course. After referring to the work of technic;;! schools, the Minister stated that wo must endeavour to educate public opinion, in order to ensure that boys and girls after the age of fourteen should attend continuation classes until they had reached the age of 18. He felt that' in many cases there was a period of idleness which was not in the interests of those concerned. Mr Hanan outlined the scheme which had beep adopted by the Government, providing for the medical inspection of school children. He also urged the importance of education to equip cnildren for various walks in life, laying stress upon the agricultural course, which had developed into a science. The Hon. Te Rangihiroa spoke of the advantages of education to the Maori ’•ace.