NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11747, 23 November 1903, Page 3

NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS.

(SFECTAL TO "TUB PBES3.") WELLINGTON, November 20. Tl»e Hotwe is getting somewhat -festive on the West Coast. The Premier, in the original schedule to the National ships Bill, endeavoured to grant more than ite shore of national scholarships to Wβ beloved West Coast. The however, was Jnlly alive to tlie little game that woe being played, and this'afternoon when the Premier wanted, his -fray what, the Education Committee proposed, fre wa^i L badlj defeated by 44 votes to 24. ■ ,s. ' Not being able to get hi* way, the P«2 mier set about finding tneaM to killfrirown Bill. Two other divieiona, however, went ■sgaiAst him by 44 to 20 and 43 to 26, and

an attempt to Mil tb« Bill by reporting progress waa defeated by 43 to SM. Jujh« i ..«S?i.iJJijßj!><. ?«n\i«r said lie found the amendment made woufd incraw* th« 'cert to the colony «« tbe population increased. The amendment would, thereforo. kill the l>lll, a% such an anjoudmwit sOioukl be brought down by Governor , * mwsuge. {• ■'< I .",■'■' -*T The Chairman ruled-against , Mr. Seddfctn, and ihf Committee went en with the Bill.

A reference to U»e population of the Went Coast induced Mr Tnylor to cay that lio plate in the colony w.ie inwe in Jiet-d of population, and what was vraated moit down there "was tliat the -people should' be well grounded in the rudiments of eominon bonestv.

The Premier objected to the proposal to alter the amount of salaries of parents whose children can secure scholarship* from £200 to £300. He said they were converting his Bill into a semi-aristocratic £300 a year business. , .

.Sir Wni. Buftsell, Mr Taylor, and many others pointed out that the fixing of any salary qualification only led to undesirable distinction. If tie scholarship* were national they should be free to all. They pointed out that the Premier's proposal was absolutely undemocratic. A proposal to'.state-,the salary at £250 was, howaver, carried. After supper the Premier threatened to drop the Bill if there -was any furthetattempt to widen Hβ scopeMr Duthie pointed out that members had been fighting for the amendment* made by Hie Education Committee. This brought tho Premier to his feet with the that he wee not prepared to allow a committee to alter the policy of a Bill brought down by him. , ■' •: The Bill vu coon afterwards reported with amendments, and passed its final stage*. ) •