SLOW WORK ON ESTIMATES.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 224, 21 September 1929, Page 18

SLOW WORK ON ESTIMATES.

EDUCATION POLICY. STATEMENT BY MINISTER. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday. When the House of Representatives met at 10.30 this morning, Sir Joseph Ward gave notice of his intention to move that from Wednesday, September 25, and for the remainder of the session, Government business should take precedence on the Order Paper on Wednesdays. Mr. D. McDougall (Mataura) was granted five days' leave of absence on account of illness.

Replying to Mr. H. T. Armstrong (Christchurch East), the Hon. H. Atmore said the expenditure on the erection of schools was not being held up as the result of the awaiting of the decision as to the policy in regard to junior high schools. He pointed out that in the Governor-General's Speech and the Budget it had been said that a select committee would go . thoroughly into this matter, and take evidence from all the organisations interested. The House went into Committee of Supply •on the Estimates. The Police Department vote (£401,088) was taken first. Before the luncheon adjournment the Prime Minister referred to the speed at which the estimates were being passed, and stated that if members desired to get through them in a reasonable time there would be need to limit the number of speeches. Many of the matters raised could be covered by an interview with the Minister. He realised the position was due to the fact that the Government had to deal with criticism from two other parties. Mr. H. E. Holland (Buller) said he agreed a strain was being imposed on the new Standing Orders, and ho thought the only way of overcoming the difficulty was an agreement between the three parties.