POLITICAL NOTES

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20024, 4 September 1930, Page 19

POLITICAL NOTES

[THE PBESS Special Smic#.] WELLINGTON, September 3. School Books. The quality and price of school books were called into question by Mr G. C. Munns (U., Eoskill), in a question addressed to tho Minister for Education, the Hon. H. Atmore, in the House today. Mr Munns asked the Minister whether his attention had been called to the poor quality of books as far as the binding was concerned, and to the fact that the prices charged were too high in proportion to the value received. He also asked whether the contract for the supply of books had been let to one firm, and whether the Government would undertake to print books at a lower cost, so easing the burden on parents. The Minister said that books used in the schools throughout the country were being sold at lower prices than similar publications in England and Australia. No contract had been entered int<- with any one firm for the supply of text books. The binding on certain books shown to him was somewhat loose, but it was to be noticed that books made in the Dominion were in a better state of preservation than those imported.

Tax on Films. The determination of the Government not to be coerced by American film renters was expressed by the ActingPrime Minister, the Hon. E, A. Bansom, in the House to-day, in reply to an urgent question by Mr W. Nash (Lab., Hutt). Mr Nash drew attention to the statement that American firms intended to boycott New Zealand on account of the increased film tax and Mr Ransom's statement was greeted with approval by the House. "The Government has no official intimation of any proposed boycott of New Zealand by the American Film Corporation,'' said Mr Bansom. 1 ' On the contrary statements have appeared in the Press to the effect that the film producers have no intention of withdrawing from the New Zealand market. If, however, the hon. gentleman can produce evidence that such a boycott is contemplated, the Government mil have enquiries made into the matter, but having regard to the fact that the legislation imposing this taxation has already been passed by the House, the Government has no intention of being coerced by any corporation.'' (Hear, hear.) Middleton Yards. Mr C. Carr (Lab.. Timaru) ha 3 given notice to ask the Minister for Railways whether it is a fact that the Middleton Yards are to be closed down next Saturday for four months, and that employees, who have established their homes in the vicinity, are to be transferred elsewhere. He said he understood that the yards cost approximately £200,000.

Maoris' Adaptability. The Minister for Native Affaire, Sir Apirana Ngata, waxed humorous in the House this evening when the position of the Maori in relation to the levy proposed under the Unemployment Bill was being discussed. The point was being made by the Minister that the Maoris had not pressed for any special favours during the period of nnemployment. "As a matter of fact," said the Minister, '-'we Maori members in the past few years have been in the position of taking a back seat when the question of relief works for the unemployed has been under consideration." Mr W. E. Barnard (Lab., Napier): But there are some Maoris on relief works. The Minister: Yes, I know there is a proportion of Maori workers there and Public Works engineers say they would sooner have them as they have a more equable temperament than the pakeha and are not so liable to strike. Mr H. T. Armstrong (Lab., Christchurch East): I have seen,them striking. The Minister:. Oh yes, under the incentive of Irishmen. (Laughter.) Continuing Sir Apirana claimed that in times of stress the Maori was better adapted to fall back on the resources of Nature. The Maori got shell fish, eels, and other food which the Almighty provided, but which the pakeha did not seem to enjoy. (Laughter.) The Maori also learned to wear his clothes longer even to the extent of patching his pants. Then, instead of bothering the baker, the Maori was content in bad times to live on maize preserved in different ways. • Mr Barnard: A beautiful picture.