EVENING SITTING.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11021, 19 July 1901, Page 3

EVENING SITTING.

The House resumed at 7.30 o'clock. COMPULSORY DRILL IN SCHOOLS. The State School Children Compulsory Drill Bill was committed,Mr PIRANI moved that the word "compulsory" in the title of the! Bill be omitted. A long*discussion followed, iri which the question of military and physical drill in all its bearings was exhaustively dealt with. Finally the amendment, to strike out the word ""compulsory" was carried oy 30 "to 24. In clause 2, which made it compulsory to teach military and physical" drill to ' ooys and girls attending the public schools.' Mr MILLER moved an" amendment to provide that the ciause should apply only to physical drill, thus deleting military drill from the provisions of the Bill. After considerable discussion Mr Millar's amendment was agreed to on'the voices. Mr ATKINSON moved an addition to the clause, to the effect that, every Board may at its discretion cause military drill to be taught to boys over the prescribed agei This was negatived, by 34 to 13. The clause as amended was agreed to.

In the subsequent clauses all reference to military drill was struck out consequent upon the adoption of Mr Millar's amendment. Clause 6 was struck out, and in its place was substituted a section providing that upon the principal of the school being satisfied that any boy or girl is unfit to perform physical drill exemption shall be granted. The Bill was reported as amended, and the third reading was set down for this day week. EIGHT HOURS BILL. Mr FISHER continued the adjourned debate on the second reading of Mr G. W. Russell's Eight Hours Bill. He supported the principle, but would have more to say in Commit bee. Mr FIELD said if the Bill was passed it would paralyse the farm industry. Mr LETHBRIDGE opposed the Bill. Mr ARNOLD considered the Bill was most \msatisfactpry in its present form, and would not accomplish any good. He hoped, however, it would have the eifect of directing the attention of the Government to the question. Mr ATKINSON thought the details of working hours should be left to the Arbitration Court. In replying, Mr RUSSELL said he believed the Legislature could reasonably restrict the hours of laibour of farm - labourers, but at the same time he recognised that the sentiment of the House was against their inclusion in this Bill, and he had no desire to force the House on the point. He would accept reasonable amendments in Committee. . On division the second reading was carried by 25 to 17. The House rose at midnight.