PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 92, 27 July 1910, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last The House met at 2.30. TECHNICAL EDUCATION. On the motion of Mr. Sidey for leave to introduce the Education Amendment Ball', Mr- Taylor (of Christchurch) raised Uhe question of technical education. TOie Estimates made provision for technical instruction to the amount of £48,500, *<nd for primary education £621,452. rhe Minister for Education would have bo withdraw from the position lie recently took up in regard to technical education. It was better, he contended, that half the cost of primary edu-' jatiion be borne by local ratepayers than to -hamper technical education in die manner proposed. Economy ni technical education, he maintained, was indieSensible. The technical equipment of >ur youths was more necessary than primary education, and in all" larga iowiis the former was hampered for 1 ivant of adequate accommodation. i The Hon. G. FowUls deprecated Mr. Fayloa- raising a discussion on every' jccasion when an educational matter tvas btafore the House. He was just as mxious for the -welfare of technical education tiS Mr. Taylor. There was really no change in policy. The Cliristihurch Technical School had been in'ormed that any further expenditure on wildings would have to be on the pound 'or-pound basis. Were the districts vhich were prepared to assist tiliemlel'ves in technical education to be placed n the same position as those unwilling ;o help themselves? He was not jn fa'ar of centralisation, but deeentrajisa'ion. The cost of buildings was not iniluded in the vote quote! by Mr. Tav or. Technical education could only proved on the basis of sound primary edu'ation. Large numbers of children did lot participate at all in technical eduction. Many people took up Mr. Tavoi*'s attitude because of a desire to sad-, lie tflie poorer classes with the cost of? 'ducatiion. through the Customs duties. | Mr. Sidev said the Bill did not deal' vitli .the question raised by Mr. Taylor, but intended to classify combination ilassfß and make them compulsory. The Bill was read a first time. OTHER BILLS. ! The Phosphorus Bill passed its com-1 n.ittee stage unamended.. I The Stone Quarries Bill was further) »iiisidered in committee. j lAn amendment was carried on the > motion of Mr 0. V. Reed (Bay of Is-1 lands) to exclude quarries exclusively used for stone for public roads. The House adjourned at 5.30.