PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 276, 22 November 1927, Page 10

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

NOTES FROM THE GALLERY.

NIGHTINGALES NOT ALLOWED'

CB.r Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON. Monday,

It is against the policy of the' Government to allow- imported birds to be liberated in sanctuaries, such as Little Barrier Island, which have been set aside specially as sanctuaries for the preservation of indigenous birds,"' said tlip Act-ing-Minister of Internal Affairs j n reply to Mr. Field (Otaki). It iii e?al fo ' r am person to introduce "birds to the Dominion without the conscnt of the Minister of Internal Affairs, and no Midi consent has been given in the case of nightingales. Instructions have been issued that such birds are not to be allowed to he landed without the necessary authority. Native Land La W. A Maori Land Board wiil be entitled to charge o per cent commission on ail rents and other money deposited with n r collected and distributed by it according to provision contained in the Native Land Amendment and Native Land Uaims Adjustment. Bill, introduced in the House. The bill contains .36 clauserelating to native lands. Where several areas of native land are vested in the Maori Land Board, power is given that they may be formed and dealt with cojointlv.

Washing Up Bill. Additional clauses to the Reserve and Other Lands Disposal Bill were introduced by Governor's Messaee. One clause vests in the Crown a certain portion of foreshore reserve now ve-ted in the Devon port Borough Corporation. Unly a small portion of land i~ a fleeted. Construction of a bridge over the Hikutaia Canal by the Minister of Public YYorks ,s validated, and adjustment of title boundaries to lands adjoining Omeheu stream, Rangitaiki, is effected by means of other clauses. There are also some formal provisions relating to certain parts of Hamilton Domain. Education Reserves.

? leasing powers are given to tae trustees of High Schools under the provisions of the Education Reserves Amendment Bill, introduced by Governor's Message. Trustees are also empowered to accept the surrender of leases ot pastoral lands, and grant new leases in lieu thereof. The leasing powers of high school trustees is to be subject to the Minister s approval. <,i" lands comprised in education reserves mav surrender their leases in exchange for new leases.

The Nelson System. "The Government is not prepared to take steps in the direction suggested at • 1 ii~ stage of the session/' was the Prime .Minister's reply to a question by MrAtmore (Nelson) as to whether steps would lie taken this session to amend the Education Act -o that no education

board or school committee shall have power to prevent religious instruction [being given outside compulsory hoars [under the Nelson svstern.