POLITICAL NOTES

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17691, 17 February 1923, Page 13

POLITICAL NOTES

(bpkiai. to "thb fmsm.") WELLINGTON, February 16. Electoral Reform. A question asked by Mr G. Witty (Biccarton), in the House of Representatives to-day drew from the Prime Minister a brief statement in reference to electoral reform. Mr Witty wanted to know whether the Prime Minister would introduce legislation next session providing for a system of preferential voting. •Mr Massey said that, in order to remove any possible misapprehension, he would answer the question immediately. It was his intention, all being well, to introduce a Bill dealing with the reform of tho electoral system. He was not quite sure what would be the shaps of the Bill. It was possible that the matter would be referred to a committee of the House. Sir William Herries Seriously 111. Sir William Herries is still in the Bowen street Hospital, and his condition is giving his friends a considerable amount of anxiety. He has been unable to resume his place in the House since ho was sworn in on the day on which Parliament was opened. Mr Massey was able to see Sir William today. War Memorial Models. The models and plans of the New Zealand war memorials at Le Quesnoy and Longueval, presented to the Government by Mr S. Hurst Seager, have arrived in AVellington, and, will be set up in Parliament Buildings, so that members, and later the public, may see them. . Water-colour drawings, photographs, and plans have also been forwarded, as well as thrwe plans of the old fortified town of Le Quesnoy, presented by Monsieur Monueret. Legislative Council. In the Legislative Council to-day_, replying to Sir Thomas Mackenzie, Sit Francis Bell said permits for cutting timber in the Tougariro National Park had been granted before the passing of last year's Act to the Prisons Department. Only large timber was being felled, and scenic features weiv? not being affected. The timber was used for State purposes. All State forests included timber cutting rights, but where timber was cut under State forest permits, the forest was improved, not deteriorated. Replying to another question, Sir Francis Bell said he would consult the Minister of Internal Affairs regarding the best means of preserving Paradiso duck and pukeko, which were rapidly disappearing. Mr Izard asked for a return of the number of free railway passes and privilege tickets issued last year. Sir Francis Bell said the Department had no objection to furnishing the return,- but it would involvo an immense amount of labour. Passes and tickets were granted at suitablo times to members of the railway service numbering some 15,000. Mr Izard said he was interested to find out why the railways wero not made to pay. Ho considered that free passes ;ind privilege tickets meant ' a big leakage. The question was withdrawn, and the Council adjourned till 2.30 p.m. on Saturday. Education Questions. Mr F. J. Rollestou (Timaru) has given notice to ask the Minister of Education whether his attention has been called to the overcrowding in the Timaru public schools, and whether he will take prompt stops to relieve the overcrowding? Mr H. T. Armstrong (Christchurch East) wants to know whether it. is a fact that the age which entitles [ students with proficiency certificates to I a free place to attend evening classes | at a Technical College, has been reduced from 17 to 15 years, which will ! prevent many children of the poorer classes from obtaining secondary education.

Rearing tie End. The debate on tlie Address-in-Beply I beiug finished, there is little else to bo douo. There will probably bo a Stamps Bill postponing certain clauses • in an Act passed last session, and there j is, q1" course, iVir .Holland's breach ol ! privilege motion regarding a Ohrist- \ cnurcn "tress" article. I'Ms is no j longer takxn and the House, if 11 gei.. Liie chance, is sure to declare that tno criticism complained of is 1 not a breacli 01 privilege. To-morrow some little time will be taken in presenting tiie address to his Excellency tiie ttovernor-Genoral, and then there may be some talk on the adjournment. There is no need for an Appropriation Bill, and so the session may automatically end when Sunday momng arrives by Mr bpeaker leaving the Chair. In this event a proclamation proroguing Parliament couid be issued on Monday. Million Pounds Mistake. The Leader of tiie Opposition (Mr T. M. Wilford) who, according to the Prime Minster, recently understated by £1,000,000 the amount furnished by the State Advances Department over a certain period for house-building, to-day produced in the House a newspaper report to the effect that the Prime Minister had given as tiie amount. He asked whether the report was correct. The Prime Minister replied that it was not. It probably accounted for the member's mistake. He (Mr Massey) had spoken about the amount a dozen times, and every time he had named it as £3,240,000.