PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 222, 18 September 1924, Page 11

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

NOTES FROM THE GALLERY. DAIRY PRODUCE FREIGHTS. (Bγ Telegraph.— Parliamentary Beporter.) WELLINGTON", "Wednesday. The Railway cannot agree, says the Minister of Kailways, in Teply to the member of Awarua, that the dairy freight rates are very high. The present average freight on butter and cheese is only about oneninth of a penny per lb. Having in view the fact that the working costs per train mile have increased since 1597 by over 200 per cent, it seems scarcely reasonable, says the Minister, to contend that any injustice ha 3 been done to the dairy industry by restoring the original classification. The -whole question of freight rates is under consideration. Rangitaiki Drainage. Kangitaiki land drainage -was the subject cf a report submitted to Parliament to-day. The report states that throughout the period under , Teview very satisfactory progress has been made, and, as anticipated, with the exception of several dredging projects very little construction work Temains to be done. It can now be safely said that the major portion of the swamp is "receiving the full benefit likely to accrue from the drainage system, and is ready for vigorous prosecution of farming 'activities. This must of course go hand in hand with the internal subdivision drainage. The dairying industry has made great strides on the plains during the year; and farmers have shown progressive foresight in the erection of a new and up-to-date butter factory in a central position on the Kangitaiki Eiver. The amount of butter manufactured during the year was 633 tons, an increase of 79J tons over last years production and the amount paid suppliers was fSO,S6I. The Tarawera Cheese Factory turned out 320 tons of cheese and paid suppliers £35,840. The works remaining to be done would be pushed on to completion as quickly as possible, so that the remainder of the area can be brought to full- .production. Results of Petitions. In the case of Edward George Creamer, of Auckland, who petitioned for a refund of stamp duty paid on an "agreement to. purchase land, which. agreement - -was subsequently cancelled, the Public Petitions Committee recommends the petition to the Government - for favourable consideration. The opinion is expressed that the case is one of real hardship, and an immediate refund is suggested. The same committee recommends for favourable consideration the petition, of Thomas Harle Giles, of Auckland, praying fcr compensation for lose of appointment as Conciliation Commissioner. Several members spoke in the House urging the Government to; give ; effect to the committee's recommendations, and paying tribute to the valuable services the petitioner rendered to the country.: Purse Seine Fishing. Replying to a suggestion voiced by Mr. T."W. Rhodes (Thames) that purse seine net fishing should be absolutely prohibited in the Hauraki Gulf, if evidence shows it is having a disastrous effect upon the feeding beds and breed--1 the.fUh. . The Hon. G, " Jl "AndersonT" Minister of "Marine, has -.made, a -further statement on the sub- ' jectl " "He "points out that ifhiuTbeeir already stated that, as purse seine fishing -'m: i 'J&alantt >isv a =new method df fishing, a. , reasonable time should be j Allowed within, which to .discover Whether it is necessary to impose on jiat particular class of fishing; any restrictions other than the limits already imposed. ." The* Department's officers lave been: watching- tie fishing: as closely ais possible, and the chief inspector will shortly pay;: a visit to the?district, with.-. a view to investigation,' and- will make any recommendations necessary. Dilworth Trust Leases. ..Why are holders of leases issued by the Dilworth Trust Board not eligible fbr loans from the State Advances Office, asked Mr. T. M-.Wilford. " Mr. Massey replied that the holders <Sf leases issiwd by the Dilworth. Board are eligible provided the leases do not -^contain. any provisions which are in "conflict with,,the. terms and .conditions ■upon which the "Advances Department is authorised to -advance the, money. The Sash to- Arapuni. , . The early influx of a large; population "to Arapuni, estimated at over 1400 people, was emphasised by Mr. F. Hockly, -when he asked Hon. C. J. Parr, Minister of Justice, if he would .-consider rthe ■undoubted and urgent necessity of .providing adequate police accommodation at Putarnru, and. provide a vote on this year's estimates for a new police station there, for which '"a; site was already provided. Mr. Parr said in reply, - that the matter of making provision for the erection of the new police station at Putarnru had been noted for consideration in preparing the public works estimates -for the | current year. Technical School Classes. " The need for systematic technical training of apprentices is stressed by - Mr. W. S. La Trobe, superintendent of technical education in the Dominion, in his annual report presented to Parliament to-day. He points out that this ta3 been illustrated in. the case of the plumbing trade, in which in places where apprentices are induced to take a reason- ' ably good course the results of the cer- . tificate examinations are satisfactory, ■ but where the-y are allowed to leave their technical school training. to the last few months of apprenticeship the results are correspondingly poor. The superintendent hoped -that -rull advantage wo-'ld be taken of the powers given in the. Apprentice Act, and. further that the importance of the day continuation and technical classes would become more generally recognised, so that the provisions of. the Apprentice Act relating .to ..the .technical training of apprentices may be extended to include all young people at work. ' It is, however, quite certain that the reiatroductlon'of compulsory attendance only at evening classes of young people between fourteen and seventeen would not be in accordance with either the letter or the-spirit of recent legislation, while in the opinion of the great majority of directors of technical school , !, and- of those in industries, it would be of very doubtful sdvantage educationally. . -Inspectors of ..technical schools have repeatedly noted the lack of freshness in the appearance of young people at the evening classes in many cases. It was obviously difficult for students to fix their attention on the these circumstances it was easily seen work in hand or even keep awake. In that the work of unwilling students forced to'take subjects in which they were not interested" coald not be any.i appreciaeTe Talue, . . ,_ "\