DOMINION NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 May 1921, Page 5

DOMINION NEWS.

JOHNSTON’S SENTENCE TO STAND. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Government has considered the request made by a deputation -from the Alliance of Labor for the release of Edward Johnston, who was sentenced to a term of imprisonment for selling seditious literature. The acting-Prime Minister stated to-day that the request had been referred to the Minister for Justice, who had obtained a report from the convicting magistrate, and the result of consideration was that the Government found nothing to justify a remission of sentence.

DISPUTE OVER NATIVE LAND. Whakatane, Last Night. During the visit of the Hon. D. H. Guthrie (Minister of Lands) and the Hon. J. G. Coates (Native Minister) to this district, the question of a block given to Te Kooti by the late Hon. Cadman was mentioned. The land is Crown land, given for the . use of Te Kooti, who had few relatives, but many followers, adventurers and adherents of the Rangitu religion, founded by Te Kooti. The religious sect now claims the land against blood relatives of Te Kooti. Mr. Coates said he would uphold the great traditions of previous Native Ministers; he came to look for himself, and would see and hear all parties. It was not his Government’s policy to rob the Maoris, but to treat them fairly and give them every help. Mr. Guthrie said he would deal with the problem after his colleague the Native Minister, The Hon. A. T. Ngata urged consideration of - the reasonable demands. Mr. Coates and party are riding via the Whakatane River to Ruatahuna, thence to Waikaremoana and Wairoa. Mr. Guthrie and party return to Rotorua to-day. THE EDUCATION SYSTEM. Wellington, Last Night. Mr. C. J. Parr (Minister of Education) referred to-night to statements from the Auckland Education Board, criticising the tendency to centralise education and charging the department with being bureaucratic in its methods, withdrawing the power of boards. Mr. Parr said no definite statement was made to support the charge. Parliament, and not the Department, passed the new Act, which compelled boards to follow the grading system in making appointments. The object of the Act was to make the teaching service a Dominion service, and not local and parochial. Concerning the Dunedin board’s complaints, there was no reply to make when asked for specific instances, and subsequently the criticism of the regulations was withdrawn, and they apologised. The Minister said the Department was acting on the right lines, and in the interests of education in the Dominion.