THE HOUSE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 298, 10 September 1908, Page 9

THE HOUSE.

The Houso met at 2.30 p.m. Tho afternoon sitting was occupied in discussions on committees' reports, and in debating Ministerial replies to questions. EDUCATION ACT AMENDMENT BILL. In the evening the Houso went into Committeo oil tho Education Bill. At clauso 6, dealing with tho appointment of probationers by boards, tho Minister said it was proposed that no probationer should havo solo charge of a class, but should instruct under a teacher. Mr. T. MACKENZIE regretted the innovation. It was contrary to tho desiro of tho education authorities. The MINISTER said that tho provision would givo country children a chance of testing their abilities. ■ Mr. STALL WORTHY supported tho pro- . posal. Tho MINISTER, replying to the lastnamed speaker, said the time of a probationer would be two years, after whioh he, or she, would - pass to the training college. A Member: What about those who don't go to tho training college? Tho clause was adopted. Efficiency. ' At clauso 7 (sub-clauso 2), which deals with salaries, Mr. J. ALLEN suggested to strike out the words "salary as ho remains in the samo position,"to allow no cause whatever for the reduction of a teacher's salary.. Mr. T. MACKENZIE objected. There, were teachers of poor ability, or whose work 'was not satisfactory, and'all discretionary power would.be taken from the board. . Mr. MALCOLM said that such a teacher could be reduced.or dismissed. He moved to striko out . certain words and insert others to mako tho clauso read, "shall not- . . receive a salary lowor than, that which he is at present recoiving."' Tho MINISTER would not receive tho amendment, and said ho would report progress if it were carried. The change would bo too drastic. : Mr. ALLEN objected to the attitude of the Minister, more especially as there, seemed to be no material change proposed by the amendment.. Tho proposed amendment was discussed at great length. • .Mr., MASSEY regretted the attitude of tho Minister in absolutely refusing to accept an amendment. , The Minister: It is too fundamental.. Mr Massey continued that his sido of the House had a duty to perform to tho country, which they were-trying to carry out. , At 9.'30 o'clock the, House divided on the amendment, which was lost by -41 to' 15. - - cMr. MALCOLM inquired whether expenses incurred in transfers would be allowed to teachers. The MINISTER said further appropriations could not be made. Appointment* of Teachcrs. : At olauso 12 the Minister moved ■an amendment, of which notice had been given, and whioh has been published. Tho amendment dealt with the procedure to be followed in the making of appointments. It proposed' i that tho board- should send to-tho committeo a list of not more than four teachers (in' order of merit), giving length of servico and qualifications, lf-appiications had been invited tho board should also send the names of all teachers who applied. The committee .would solcct a name, and the board would appoint the teacher-so selected.. The clauso also dealt with transfers. Mr. MALCOLM moved to give boards tho authority to majce the transfers without consulting. school committees. This, ho considered, was ono of the most important provisions of tho Bill. , The MINISTER said that very caroful consideration had been given to this matter by tho Education Committee, and ho asked members to stand by his clause. . Mr.- HANAN>arguiH that power of • trans- ' fer should bo in'tho hands of the boards, but ho did, not object being coii- ■ suited.; ••' ' A long, discusison ensued. Mr. MALCOLM untimately said that he would be'satisfied with a ruling on the voices, and would not go to a division. On the question being put the chairman ruled against Mr. Malcolm. Mr. /T. Mackonzie, however, called for a division in order to have opinions recorded. ; ' The amendment was lost' by 50 to 2. Mr. .T. MACKENZIE moved to amend the new clause by making it' mandatory to transfer teachers from ono school to another in tho matter of promotions. Otherwise there would bo a close corporation among the city schools to tho disadvantage of tho country teacher, who would-be unablo to secure town appointments. Tho amendment was lost by 41 to'l6. Colours, Uniforms, and Monograms. .Section'2oa provides that regulations may be made for the registration.of school colours and uniforms, and for forbidding the wearing thereof by other .persons, under penalties not exceeding £2. On tho motion of Mr. J. Allen, this was amended by confining it solely to registration. By, another amendment "monograms" were brought. within the 1 scope of the clause. New clauses wero added at tho instanco of the Minister providing for tho election of a chairman every year and for tho payment of subsidies on technical classes. An amendment by the Hon. A. R. Guinness to provido that no member ,of a school . committee should have more than one vote, even though the committee- might. control more than ono school, was opposed by the Minister, and negatived. Uniform School Books. Mr. Wilford moved an amendment provide ing for uniform school books. Tho amendment was carried by 30 to 23. Tho voting was as follows:— Ayes (30)— Arnold, Barber, Barclay, Buddo, Chappie, Ell, Fisher, Flatman, A. L. D. Fraser, Graham, Gray, Greenslade, Guinness, Hall, Hogan, Izard, Lawry, Macpherson, Malcolm, Massey,. Poland, Remington, Ross, Sidey, Steward, Symes, Tanner, Wilford, Witty, and Wood. Noes (23)—Aitken, J. Allen/. Baume, Carroll, Colvin, Field, Fowlds, Hanan, Heke, Hogg, Kidd, Laurenson, Lethbridge,' M'Gowan, T. Mackenzie, M'Nab, Major, Mauder, Okey, Reid, Rnodes, Stallwor'tky, and Ward. : Tho Minister said ho was not prepared to accept tho amendment, which was in tho shape of a now clause. Ho then consulted with tho Premier, and immediately moved to report progress. .. Progress was reported, and the Prime Minister moved tho adjournment. Tho Houso roso at 1.23 a.m.