POLITICAL NOTES

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19668, 11 July 1929, Page 8

POLITICAL NOTES

[THB nilt laedal Serrlee.] WELLINGTON, July 10. League of Nations. The Prime Minister (Sir Joseph ; Ward) presented' in the House, thi* afternoon, the annual report of the League of Nations Conference at Geneva. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Coates) asked that some indication <-' i the content» ui the report should be given to the House, tor some time past a desire had been expressed tuat trades Hails and other Labour organisations should be represented at Geneva, but it had been stated that the expense was not warranted. The Prime Minister had, however, promised to look into the matter. It was desirable that New Zealand should have representation at the convention, in order that some knowledge of social and labour legislation should be gamed. He therefore desired to ask the Prime Minister what progress had been made in providing for .New Zealand representation at Geneva. The Prime Minister said that the paper had nothing to do with the suggested delegation of representatives of workers to the convention at Geneva. The paper dealt, among other matters, with the business of the convention and the representation of New Zealand. He hoped the request of the Leader of the Opposition would be put into effect next vear. but there was no possibility of it being acceded to this year. Debate to Continue Till End of Week. The United Party held a caucus today. It was afterwards stated that it was intended to continue the Ad-dress-in-Reply debate until the end of the present week at any rate. Taxation Redaction Improbable. Owing to the deficit in the Consolidated Eevenue, said the PostmasterGeneral (the Hon. Mr Donald) this evening, he feared that there would be no reduction in taxation this year. People could not expect any reduction in view of the position of the country's finances. It was possible that there wou'd be no change in the incidence of taxation. He would not enlarge upon that aspect, but would leave it to the Prime Minister. He believed that the land owners should pay their fair share of taxation, and it was time they paid income-tar, of which they had been relieved some years ago. They would pay taxes as cheerfully as anyone when it was desired. On account of the present state of the country's finances it was necessary to look to those with large incomes to pay a larger share of taxation. Junior High Schools. Mr H. S. S. Kyle (Bicearton), in the House this afternoon, gave notice to ask the Minister for Education whether the establishment of intermediate or junior high schools, as proposed, would Interfere with the present educational work carried on in high schools, and whether they would be responsible for reducing the number of free places now obtainable at high schools; and further, whether the same salaries at present paid to headmasters of primary or secondary schools would be continued-