EVENING SITTING.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9858, 15 October 1897, Page 6

EVENING SITTING.

The House resumed at 7.30. PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Mr GILFEDDER was not at one with Mr Fisher in this Bill, but there were a number of points in this measure which would have his hearty support. Mr ROLLESTON would like to know the position of the House over this measure. He regarded it as a highly revolutionary Bill, but they were told by Mr Fisher that it was not intended to go on with it this session. It was perfectly obvious it could not be dealt with at present. He (Mr Rolleston) would not be a party to the Bill in any shape or form. It was entirely subversive of our present system, and no provision was made for finance. One strong feature of the Bill was its tendency to centralisation. It would put the whole primary system of education into the hands of the Minister of the day, and every teacher would have to be appointed by the consent of the Minister, which would necessitate those teachers being of the right colour. He would be no party to centralisation or making our school teachers servants of the Ministry of the day. He thought the House would do wrong "if they allowed the Bill to be read a second time.

Mr MOORE said the present Act had been in operation for some twenty years, and, although some amendments might be made in it, the system had worked very well. He entirely objected to the centralis ing power given by this Bill. No doubt the School Committees at present had very little power, and their power might very well be extended, but he did not thiny it wise to disturb the whole system of education on that account.

Mr BUCHANAN would like to know how many members of the House were returned with a mandate to interfere with

the present system of education. He thought the system could be amended in several directions, but this Bill would revolutionise it. Mr PIRANI said the Bill, at any rate, gave them an opportunity of discussing the education system. Dissatisfaction existed all over the colony with the system on several points. The disconnected state of Education Boards worked badly, and there was no more close corporation than an Education Board. Mr FRASER d«d not think the time of the House wasted in discussing this Bill. If this measure were submitted to the people of the Colony, nine-tenths of them would be against it, as they believed in the present School Committees. He should oppose the Bill.

Mr HERRIES thought they all agreed that some change was required and, although this Bill might not do it, if they did away with the centralisation in large towns it would be a great benefit to the country districts.

Mr MASSEY was a strong supporter of the present system. Mr MEREDITH thought the education system was perfectly safe as it was carried out at present. No system was perfect, but the Bill now before the House instead of improving the present one would demolish it. Mr WRIGHT said the present educational system was exceedingly popular, and the complete change that was proposed in this Bill would, he believed, be rejected by nine-tenths of the people of the colony. Mr GRAHAM moved the adjournment of the debate. Carried. companies audit bill. _ Mr MILLAR moved the second reading of the Companies Accounts Audit Bill. Mr BUCHANAN opposed the Bill. Mr MONK also opposed it. Mr MOORE hoped the House would be very careful in passing a Bill of this kind. He pointed out that in companies such as the Kaiapoi Woollen Company it might prove very detrimental. A heavy penalty should be levied on any officer .who misrepresented the goods he valued. Mr PIRANI regretted that a large question like this should ba dealt with in such a piecemeal fashion. Mr TANNER had no wish to offer opposition to the Bill, but it was a clumsy attempt to improve the present system. Mr O'REGAN strongly opposed the Bill. Mr SEDDON said he took it that this Bill wanted to provide a thorough system of audit for these Companies. The law at present provided that shareholders of any Company could apply to have their accounts audited by an auditor. (A MEMBER— " What more do you want ?") They wanted more than that, and people who had invested money in these Companies should be protected, as well as the shareholders. He was not altogether in favour of the present Bill, but if the House passed the second reading it would indicate that the Government should take the matter up. Mr ALLEN objected to auditors being appointed by the Government. MrCROWTHER moved the adjournment of the debate. Carried. CROWN SUITS. Mr HONE HEKE moved the second reading of the Crown Suits Act, 1881, Extension Bill, to allow certain Natives in the Middle Island to bring an action against the Grown in consequence of the nonfulfilment of promises made in 1844 respecting the Otakau block. Mr SEDDON said the Bill would up3et the whole of the land in Otago. Mr HALL-JONES moved that the debate be adjourned. Agreed to. NATIVE LAND BILL. Mr WI PERE moved the second reading of the Native Land Bill, to make provision for original investigation to titles of Native land. Mr SEDDON hoped the day was not far distant when Native Land Courts would be abolished. He would not object to the Bill being referred to the Native Affairs Committee. Mr PIRANI said Mr Wi Pere would made it appear that he was very childlike and bland, but some of his transactions in Native land did not show he was anxious to benefit the Natives. Mr CARROLL defended Mr Wi Pere. The motion was agreed to and the Bill referred to the Native Affairs Committee. SECOND READINGS. The Criminal Code Act Amendment Bills (Nos. land 2),.the Weights and Measures Act Amendment Bill, the Mortgages Bill and the Pharmacy Bill were read the second time and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. The New Zealand Institute of Surveyors Bill was read a second time and referred to the Waste Lands Committee.

The House rose at 10.50.