I.—8.

EEPOBTS.

No. 17 (Sess. 2).—Petition of Mrs. Norah V. Barber, of Rotorua. Praying for an increased pension from the Teachers' Superannuation Eund. I am directed to report that, in view of the fact that the petitioner's husband died only nine months before he would have been entitled to superannuation, the Committee recommends that the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 7th November, 1931. •

No. 65 (Sess. 2). —Petition of A. Murdoch, President, New Zealand Educational Institute (Reg.), and Another. Praying for the restoration of remote allowances to school-teachers. I am directed to report that the Committee recognizes that some places which were formerly remote have now ceased to be so, and for these places remote allowance would not be justified ; but, as other places are still remote, the Committee is of opinion that each case should be reconsidered with a view to the payment of the allowance where justified. The Committee therefore recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 7th November, 1931.

No. 58.—Petition of A. R. Atkinson, Solicitor, Wellington, and 8 Others. Praying that the Religious Instruction in Public Schools Enabling Bill be not passed, and that the petitioners may be heard. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the prayer of the petitioners should be given effect to. 7th November, 1931.

No. 85.—Petition of H. Hayes, 577 Manukaa Road, Epsom, and 500 Others. Praying for the rejection of the Religious Instruction in Public Schools Enabling Bill. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the prayer of the petitioners should be given effect to. 7th November, 1931.

No. 94 (Sess. 2). —Petition of Mrs. Margaret Warneb, of Lower Hutt. Praying for compensation for alleged loss of position in the Education Department. I am directed to report that in view of the fact that the petitioner is entitled to apply for any vacancy in New Zealand as a teacher the Committee has no recommendation to make. 7th November, 1931.

Religious Instruction in Public Schools Enabling Bill. I have the honour to report that the Committee, having carefully considered the above Bill and heard evidence thereon, recommends that it be not allowed to proceed, because in the opinion of the Committee the question can be met by the insertion in the Education Act of the following clause, namely : — " Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the principal Act or in any direction given by the Board, if accredited persons approved by the Minister desire to give moral and religious instruction of a voluntary nature in school-buildings, the ordinary opening-hour of the school shall be postponed, or the ordinary closing-hour in the afternoon shall be j advanced, on one day in each week, as agreed upon, for not more than half an hour, in orderto enable the instruction to be conveniently given : ; " Provided that no alteration shall be made in the opening or closing hours which would reduce the number of hours to be devoted on that day to secular instruction to less than the minimum of four hours fixed by the principal Act." 7th November. 1931,

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