NEWS AND NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 25, 24 October 1907, Page 6

NEWS AND NOTES.

Mr: Fisher yesterday asked the Minister for Education ■ whether ■he was aware that certain Education Boards were ' insisting that teachers should pay, postage for. official correspondence, and if he was prepared to say whether tho impost was one that mot with his approval? The I have no knowledge of tho facts. The Education 13oards aro independent hodies, whoso actions arc not subject to my approval, and whose relations with the tencliers in their service can bo restricted only by. legislation. ..NevI should bo .surprised to learn that'any Hoard required its teachers to pay postage' on official correspondence.

"I am not aware," said the Hon. G. Fowlds, in reply to Sir W. J. Steward, that there has been an unusual mortality from the administration of choloroform. . .' . The (luostion of deterioration ill crossing the equator has been fcono into, but no clear evidence was produced which entitled us to assume-that an actual change did take place. Special attention was given- to this important question in the drafting of tho Sale of Fond ami Drugs Bill. As soon as this Biil becomes law better control will he set up." The Minister also said that some time ago careful analyses of various samples of oliloroforni were made, because of some accidents, but' nothing definite was found.

Replying to Mr. Bollard on the. salaries and working hours of attendants in Mental Hospitals, the Hon. G. Fowlds said that very considerable concessions- were granted in 1905. both with respect to holidays and salary. Thcso mot with gejieral approval

jit tho time, and thorp wore no indications that tlm satisfaction'- has, been short-lived.' Circumstances had not. altered since 1905, and no other judgment could he passed on them without n more extended trial.

Tlio Minister for Laiids states that there arc already 700,000 acres of rural land under survey; and 236,000 acres of Native land iiro being surveyed by the Lands Department for the Maori Land Boards for settlement purposes.

In reply to Mr. Witty, tho Premier stated yesterday that the matter of amending the Old Age Pensions regulations so as to allow pensioners, when obtaining renewals, to make a declaration before a. constable instead of travelling miles, perhaps, to find a Justice, would receive attention when tlio next amendment to tho Act was introduced.

" The legislation as- promised by mo will he submitted as soon as possible," said the Premier in reply to Mr: Okey, who asked if an urgent measure to take duty off flour would bo put through the House.

Mr. Fisher asked the Premier whether any decision had been arrived at in' connection with tho designs sent in to the.'Colonial Secretary for a coat of arms for the Dominion? Ho said that about April or May, 1006, the Colonial Secretary called for competitive designs for a coat of arms for New Zealand. Designs had been sent/ in, hut nothing had been heard of tho matter, since. , Tho Premier: "Tho-matter is receiving the careful consideration of the Gpveniment."

Tho Premier, in reply to Mr. Field, said that the post and telegraph business at Otaki was conducted at the railway station, It was doubtful whether necessary acconv modation could be provided there for a sav-ings-bank and money-order office and tele-phone-box, but inquiries.would.be made. .

On a Supplementary Order Paper presented yesterday, tho Premier gavo formal notice to insert "Parliamentary Papers" in Clause,2 of the Endowment Bill,. in place of ■ "schedule" It is contended that this.will preclude striking out separate items of the endowments. It is held, however, ' that ;a moans will still exist to exclude items' by moving to add iivtlio clause of the Dill "except in district." '.'■"'

Mr. Buddo has given notice to ask the Govorniuont whether they will; take, steps to give effect to the promise made to the House while considering the-Tariff Bill/that tho duty, would be reinoy.od from wheat and flour after a paying prico was obtained;

Mr. Ell asked 'the Premier whether he was aware that- tnu' iiro bunks Trading in New Zealand were not assessed for i income-tax in tho sanic way as 'otter trading companies; and if so, would the Government introduce legislation.this session.placing banks on tho same, footing as other trading companies in respect of the payment,of income-tax? .The Premier replied that lie was aware .of the existing law. It was. not intended to introduco legislation this session. '. - :/ -.-..-, • The I'remier states > that- thero is. little probability oj the' model by-laws becoming law. .this, session.. V '• ■' . ' . ;