PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 73, 17 July 1914, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. {Peb Phebb Association.] Wellington. July 1(5. The House met at 2.30 pan. Twenty-four petitions were presented against the Bible-in-Schools Bill. On Hon. Hr Fisher laying the papers on the table, considerable discusisbn took place upon the State Fire Insurance Department. The Opposition members held that persons obtaining advances from the State should insure in tho State Office and not with tho private companies. Mr Bell held that the State Office should not bo used as a monopoly against private companies. Sir Joseph Ward pointed out that previous to the establishment of the State Fire Insurance the rates were fixed beyond the shores of New Zealand. After the establishment of the Department, the insurance rates were reduced by 33 1-3 per cent. If the State had not made a condition that those obtaining advances should insure with the State Department, it would never have got upon its feet. The Government Insurance Department bad done good work, but it was not an enemy ef the private companies. Mr Payne said the argument that the State should not make profits would not hold water. Mr Hands could not endorse the policy of the Government towards the State Fire Office, which suffered in consequence of that interference. Messrs Veitch and Okey continued the debate until the 5.30 adjournment.

THE EDUCATION BILL. The Hon. James Allen, Minister of Education, explained the . provisions of tlie Education Bill. Provision was made in it, ho said, for the election of women to the Education Council. It was proposed to give representation on the Education Council to all interests, from primary schools to universities. He thought it was wise that the Minister should not he upon the Council, so that ho would be free in the administration of the Department. He proceeded to explain tho proposed representation for the North and South Island secondary and technical and primary schools. Tho Education Council would contain 17. Altogether apart from the Education Council, there would be district councils. Teachers were to be given representation. / He hoped Parliament would help him to fix tho boundaries of the nine proposed Education Districts. There would bo urban and suburban districts. It was proposed that election to Education Boards should be on the Parliamentary franchise. A better method of keeping accounts was suggested, and inspectors were to be brought in closer touch with the Department. There was too great multiplicity of examinations. It was . proposed to adopt a Dominion system of grading teachers. Better results would be obtained if the Department could got in touch with the inspectors with regard to tho syllabus. The inspectors could also act ns independent judges as to the necessity for new schools. It was also proposed to make more effective provision for medical inspection of school children.

Subsidies would be paid at the rate ni £ for £ on all cash contributions, and 10s in the £ on all donations of land or material. An increase in capitation to school committees was (proposed, and an increase was suggested for secondary schools, provided that a proportional increase was made in teachers’ salaries. It was proposed to reduce the grades from ten to seven, and to increase the salaries. An increase was also proposed in house allowance. The maximum salary to he paid to a head teacher would be £440. Chief inspectors would be appointed. There would not ho more than five, and not less than two. The maximum salary paid to inspectors would he £OSO. Provision would he made for the appointment of assist-ant-inspectors at £365 per annum. It was proposed to pay by way of increased capitation to secondary schools C7OOO, to education boards £IO,OOO, and the total increased expenditure an education under the Acts of 1908 and 1913. and this Bill, when in full operation would he £150,000. The s!blister paid a tribute to the invaluable work of the officials in preparing the measure. .Mr Bussell said that the Bill was largely the result of the Royal Commission set ii]i by the Mackenzie Government. He was pleased to see that we were now embarking upon i •centralisation education scheme. He urged that there should ho a Dominion scale for teachers’ salaries. He complimented the Minister upon the compilation of the Bill. Mr Hamm was glad to see a national system of grading teachers. A teacher would now have a wider field for advancement. Benefit would come from the centralisation of inspectors. Some trouble would arise from tlm attempt to reduce the number of education hoards, hut they should look at tlio matter from a national standpoint. He would vote for the Bill, because it contained progressive proposals. Mr Davey congratulated the Minister upon the Bill, hut urged that provision should ho made for scholarships for Catholic schools. Messrs Braduey and McCallum supported the Bill. Mr Malcolm urged that it would he impossible to give satisfaction unless provision was made to pay teachers irrespective of

attendance. Mr Buick congratulated the Minister upon the Bill, hut hoped fair concessions would ho made to the Catholics. The Bill was read a second time proforma, and referred to the Education Committee. AFTER SUPPER. Mr Hainan moved the second reading of the Election of Ministers and Party Government Reform Bill. -He urged that the Cabinet of the day was the master instead of the servant of Parliament, and private members had little say in the House. The party machine ruled everything. Press reports were reported to suit party purposes, and the reports of the committees were at' present partisan. Measures ■ should ho considered on their merits apart from party government. Large sums of money wore being wasted through party wrangling. Messrs Ell, McCallum, Anderson, Webb, and the Hon. W. 11. Kerries also spoke, and the Bid was read a second time on the voices. The House rose at 12.10 a.m.