REPLIES TO QUESTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 322, 8 October 1908, Page 9

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS.

LAW EXAMINATION. Mr. Massey asked tho Government whether they would rectify tho grievances of the law students of the Dominion as regards tho last law examination. Ho said it was stated that at tho last examinations, held in May, tho papers set dealt with intricacies of law outside tho general scope, and wero marked in suoh a manner as to render it almost an impossibility to obtain the 50 per cent, standard j as a consequence, fifty-seven out of fifty-eight students who wont up for examination failed. Tho Minister replied that this appeared to be a matter for tho university authorities to deal with rather than , the Government, but ho had caused inquiry to bo made, and was informed that no instructions wcro given to tho examiners to mako any material difference ill the charactor of tiio questions submitted to students, and that tho mode of examination was practically similar to that followed for the past ten ye'ars. At tho last examination thirty-seven students sat, not fifty-seven, and only ono passed. It was the opinion of tho examiners'that this was duo to tho percentage of the studonts who were inadequately prepared for the examination. D.-3 LIST. Mr. Izard asked the Minister for Railways whether, in respect of the D.-3 list, he was departing from tho established precedent in not datiiig rises from their duo date, and, if so, why; and (2) whether it was his intention to placo temporary clerks who had five years' service over clerks who had served for a longer period? The reply was that the staff had been classified in conformity with the Act. Tlio increments specified in the Act had boon provided for in tlio D.-3 list, every member receiving the benefits provided under tho Act. Tho D.-3 list had been compiled in the manner best calculated to conservo the interests of tlio railway staff as a whole. Temporary' clerks would 110 placed on the D.-3 in accordance, with tho regulations—that was, beloiv all those members who had attained the full rank of a clerk. VACCINATION. Mr. Gray yesterday asked the Minister for Health whether, seeing that the Registrar iu Christehurch still persisted in summoning small batches of persons for non-oomplianco with the compulsory clauses of the Vaccination Act, the Minister would

ascertain what method (if any) the Registrar adopted in selecting names, for prosecution ? The reply of the Minister was that tho Registrar usually selected persons of education who were in a position to pay a fine without uuduo hardship. Mr. Gray described tiie answer as very remarkable. It was generally understood that thero was ono law for the rich and another for tho poor. But now tlioy had a statement from tlio Cabinet Ministor' in Par-, liamont. This was another instance of the penalising of education. Ho jocularly suggested that in tho future tlio Minister should see that prosecutions wcro only brought against millionaires. The whole thing was a perfect farce, and he hoped that during tho recess there would be 110 111010 prosecutions. THE POLICE AND SUPERANNUATION. Mr. T. Wilford asked the Prime Minister yesterday to postpono for this session tho inclusion of any provisions in the Public Service Superannuation Fund dealing with the Police Provident Fund. The Primo Minister's reply was rather unexpected. "I havo no desire," he said, "to press tho police branch of the Public Sorvico into a general scheme, and the Bill before the House is in this respect voluntary. The presont police fund is not on a sound basis, and in tho interests of tho police it would be incomparably stronger if merged with tho main superannuation scheme. I will, however, ask the House to drop the police clauses, so that it may bo maturely considered hereafter." "No parades for Labour Day have been ordered from hoadquarters, but officers commanding districts, regiments, battalions, or corps are entitled to order a parade within their own commands if they so desire."—Tho Minister for Defence., Legislation is not to he passed this year to give effect to petitions that have been presented, to prevent the promotion of Limorielc competitions and to placing of coupons in packages of tea and othor goods. The Prime Minister replying to Sir W. J. Steward said 110 was of opinion that a suitable memorial should be erected over the grave of Edward Gibbon Wakefield in the Wellington Cometery. "It will bo found impossible to deal with Maori Councils this session, therefore the matter will havo to stand over until next year."—Ministerial reply to a question. Mr, Jennings wanted a second-class diningcar on the Auokland-Wcllington express. Tho Minister said it was not intended to make any class distinction. Replying to Mr. Poole (Auckland) the Hon. W. Hall-Jones stated that the Auckland Electrical Tramway Company had been asked to immediately have its brakes put into efficient repair, and to have an entirely new and more efficient brako system installed 011 all the cars as quickly as possible. If the company did not comply with the requisitions within a reasonable time the .Government would tako further steps iu the matter. It is not proposed to havo a close season for imported or Nativo gamo in 1909 though possibly there may be a close season in some districts, Mr. Stallworthy (Kaipara) drew attentionto a statemont that the British Medical Association had boycotted the members of their own profession in Auckland, who, had been dcrving the friendly 'societies at reasonable cost. The Prime Minister said it would bo difficult to doal with tho _ disnuto involved. Ho hoped, howover, to go fully into the matter to seouro the rights of friendly societies. Mr. Stallworthy went fully into tho matter.

Mr. J. Allon asked the Prime Minister whether any reply had boon recoivod to a dispatch to Groat Britain dealing with the refusal of a Maori for. the British Navy. Tho repl;- was that Sir W. J. Steward (who had raised the question)' had roceived a reply, but that it had beon confidentially convoyed to him. The Government has obtained'a site for a railway station at Ohau (011 tho Manawatu lino).. The Ministor states that 1 sites at othor places will be considered when circumstances warrantod.it. Motor traffic regulations will bo prepared shortly. Mr. Field drew attention to previous complaints made that the New Zealand Fanners' Co-operative Distributing Company suffered damago in thoir premises in Victoria Street from coal dust from the State Coal Depot. The Minister replied that inquiries mado had gone to show that tho Department could not bo held liablo for the alleged damage, and unless further evidence was adduced to support the company he could not see his way to grant the request for arbitration. Ileforing to this matter in the House, .Mr. Aitken urged that an opportunity be given this company (in, which 900 farmers were interested) to go to arbitration with a view of being awarded compensation,, if damago had been sustained. He had been in a shop farther away from the depot than the complainants' place and had seen- tho coal dust there one inch deep on the window-sills.