POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 12029, 29 October 1903, Page 7

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[From Owr Pakliambntaet Reported]

WELLINGTON, October 29. SECONDARY EDUCATION.

The Secondary Schools Bill, which is the Srst instalment* of educational reform promised by the Premier, was brought down by Governor's Message yesterday, and read a* first time. The following is a summary of its provisions:—No pupd is to be admitted to a secondary school until he has obtained a certificate of competency in at least Standard V. of the public school course, but pupils who have not obtained such a certificate may be admitted to a lower department of a secondary school, provided that they are taught in a separate building or class room, and if no part of the actual cost of their instruction is met out of the school endowments. Every endowed secondary school must, unless it provides free places, offer scholarships of a total annual value equal to at least one£fth of its annual income from endowments, and the values of the scholarships, and the conditions under which they are offered, must be approved by the Minister. Where no secondary school is maintained by the governing body of an endowed secondary school, the income of the school must, if the Minister thinks fit. be devoted, wholly or partly, to the maintenance of another school in the locality, either as a, high school or a district high school, as the Minister directs. To every secondary school that provides free places annual grants wDI be paid according to the following scale:—Net endowments per head of total roll: Over £l6, £4 for each free pupil; over £ls. £4 5s for each; over £l4, £4 10s for each ; over £l3, £4 15s for each; over £l2, £5 for each; over £ll, £5 5s for each; over £lO, £5 10s for each: over £9, £5 15s for each; over £B. £6 for each; over £7, £6 10s for each : over £6, £7 for each; over £5, £7 10s for each : over £4, £8 for each ; over £3, £8 10s for each; over £2, £9 5s for each: over £l, £lO for each; not over £l, £lO 15s for each. Power is given to the Minister, on the application of the Board, to establish a high school in any place where there are not less than sixty pupils qualified for admission, and whose parents have expressed in writing their intention of enrolling them at the school; but no high school may be established in any place where there is a district high school or a secondary school giving free places, unless there are at least 50,000 inhabitants within five miles of such district high school or secondary school. The high school so established is to be controlled in accordance with a scheme approved by the Minister by nine governors—three to be appointed by the Governor, three by the board, and three elected by the parent* of the pupils. Every endowed secondary school must, on or before •Tune 1, 1304, forward to the Minister a ropy of the scheme under which it is to he managed. If the scheme is not approved by the Minister, or is not sent in, the Minister may refer the matter to a

commission, consisting of the chancellor or the university, tlie inspector-general, and a person to be appointed by the governing body. That commission will draw up a scheme, which will he the scheme for tlie management of the school. The Bill also provides for Government inspection of secondary and high schools, and for grants-in-aid of the erection, acquisition, or equipment of buildings for secondary schools, out o c moneys appropriated by Parliament for that pntpn>e. Subsidies on voluntary contributions will be paid on the following scale:—For every £1 bequeathed, 10s". with a maximum of £SOO -. for every £1 d£ voluntary contributions, £l. The' Minister is empowered to disestablish any district high school in which there are less than twelve pupils holding a certificate of [n-oficiency. and he may also, "on the request of the Board, disestablish any distinct high school with a view to establishing a high school. He may disestablish any high school established under the Act in which there are less than forty pupils holding a certificate of proficiency, or disestablish any such high school if there is in the same district an endowed secondary school giving free places. Tlie revenues derived from reserves set apart for secondary education are to be handed over by th-j commissioners to the governing bodies nf secondary schools in the district" in proportion to the number of pupils in average, attendance. The existing endowed secondary schools recognised under the Act are.: Auckland Grammar School, Auckland Girls' High School, Whangarei High School, Thames High School. ' Gisborne High School, Napier School. NewPlvmouth Hkrh School. Wanrranui Girls* College. Wellington College, Wellington Girls' Rich School, Marlborough High School. Nelson College, Greymouth Hish School, Hokitika High School, Christchurch Boys' High School and Girls' High School, "Rangiora" Sigh School, Akaroa Hiah School. Ashburton Hisrh School, Timaru Hish School, Waimate "High School. Waitaki Hi"h School, 0t?..g0 Boys' and Girls' Hisrh Schools, and Southland Boys' and Girls' High Schools. WATIiR-POWER.

The Minister of Works moved last evening that the amendments made bv the CounciF in the Water-power Bill be disagreed vith. The Council had struck out clause 6 (giving the Governor power to limit the measure to any river, fall, etc.), and had inserted a new clause providing that the measure should nob be deemed to restrict any of the rights conferred bv the Hawera County Electric Lighting Act, ISO2.—Mr Symes moved as an amendment that the new clause be agreed to, to avoid a grave injustice being done.— Th» Minister said that if there was doubt as to compensation being paid in the event of the Hawera County Electric Lighting Company's rights being taken by the Government, he would see that compensation was given under the Public Works Act. He stated that a certain gentleman, was to receive £5.000 in cash and a like amount in shares for promoting last years Bill, which had been got through secretly and silently.—This statement was denied by Mr Major, who allege;! that Mr Barton, the gentleman referred to, had devoted a great deal of time to forming the company, and was not making anything adequate to his services for the past two y*ars. —A long debate followed, in the course of which Mr Taylor said that if Hawera got this clause, Ohristchuioh, Dtinedin. Core, and other places must also be similarly protected. He objected to the House being dictated to by a money-lender. —On a division, a tie resulted, 33 voting each way.—The Speaker said, in view of the strong representations by some members that if Hawera was to be treated in a gpecial clause other places similarlv situated should he included, be thought th» rcw clause should be disagreed with. To enable that to be done at the Conference., he therefore gave his casting vote against Mr Symes'.s amendment.—The Council's amendments were then disagreed with. HARBOR BOARDS.

A Bill "to make better provision for the election of members of harbor boards" has been brought down by Governors Message. Jt provides that harbor boards shall consist of such number (not being less than seven nor more than fifteen) as the Gover-nor-in-Conncil may determine. Members will be elected by persona entitled to voto at the election of a member of the local authority (instead of by public bodies as at present), and every " elector" will be eligible for election to the board. Elections •wnl take place on the same day as the election of members of the local authority. The constituent districts of the Otago Harbor Board will be the City of Dunedm and the Boroughs of Port Chalmers. West Harbor, Xorth-easfc Valley, Maori Hill, Roslyn, Mornin?ton, Caversham, St. Kilda, and South Dunedin. The members of the Port Molyneux Harbor Board are to be elected by the Counties of Outha. Brace, and Tua--I'cka. LOCAL BHXS. The sitting- of the House on Monday evening next will be devoted to the consideration of local Bills. SCENERY PRESERVATION. The amendments made in committee in the Scenery Preservation Bill came up for consideration in the House last ni^ht. —Mr Msssey moved to recommit the Bill to further consider clause 6 (authorising the Goyesnnwafc to expend £2SJ3QQ ior fosr.

years without further appropriation than the Act). He urged that the maintenance of historic spots should be paid for out of revenue, and not out of the money raised for the purposes of the Act. He wanted the clause recommitted for the purpose of amending it accordingly.—The Premier opposed the amendment, winch he said had already been negatived in committee, after careful consideration.—The proposal to recommit the Bill was lost by 39 to 23, and the amendments made in" the Bill were agreed to.—The third reading was passed after a short debate, in which some of the members blamed the Government for not putting off the Bill for a few years till the wants of country settlers ibid been supplied. THE PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT.

Mr Massey yesterday afternoon asked, without notice, when the Public Works Statement would be brought down. It. ?as later this session than at anv time during the past ten years. The document was anxiously looked for by members, but bv the country particularly. He hoped that the Minister of Works "would state that it would be down in a day or two.—The Hon. Mr Hall-Jones declined" to answer the question without notice in the usual way.—Mr Massey (severely) : The Minister may consider that a courteous reply, or he mav not; he is the beat judge. Under the circumstances, I have to be satisfied with bis answer.—The Premier attempted to throw oil on the troubled waters by remarking that no discourtesy was intended by his colleague. It was a Cabinet question, and .the matter would be considered by Cabinet. IMPORTED FLOUR.

Mr Hogg asked yesterday afternoon whether the attention*of the Government had been called to the fact that the duty of Is per 1001b on flour and manufactured grain, while enabling producers within the colony to exact £30,000 a year from the consumers of bread, only yields £l5O a year to the revenue from imports. He wanted to know whether, under the circumstances, prompt steps would be taken to abolish a tax that was absolutely unjust, impolitic, and highly detrimental to the general welfare.—The Commissioner of Customs, in reply, said that the imporation of flour during the last five years was as follows:

Centals. Yalue. Revenue. 1898 10.6.33 £4.989 £527 1899 2.909 1.055 145 1900 .„ ... 173 41 9 1901 _ ... 615 245 31 1902 99,069 39,446 4,661

The importation for 1902' was principally from California. Assuming (continued the Hon. Mr Mills) that Mr Hogg's estimate as to the amount consumers had to pay over and above the normal value was correct, there was reason for considering the advisability of removing or lessening the duty on fiour, and the matter would be inquired into with the view to action being taken (if found advisable) when the tariff was next being dealt with. BUSINESS IN THE COUNCIL.

Members of the Upper House got through their work in an expeditious manner yesterday afternoon. The final stages of the "following measures were agreed to:—Water Power, Animals Protection Amendment, Military Pensions Act Amendment, and Native Townships Amendment Bills.

In committee on the New Zealand Institute Bill, the Hon. C. ('.'. Bowen said that the Institute had done good work in thepast, and was widely known by its present title. He moved the elimination of The words "and for the advancement of science'' following " New Zealand Institute" in the suggested title.—This was carried by 18 to" 10.—Progress was reported to enable a provision to be prepared ensuring continuity between the time when the existing Board ceases to exist and the new one come? into office.

In the Products Export Bill " hops" were included in the definition clause, and the measure, was reported with this amendment. STATE Fmi ; . INSURANCE

Tlie deadlock between the two branches of the Legislature over the State Fire Insurance scheme is not ended. The point at issue is an encroachment on the privileges of Ihe House. Clause- 24 of the Bill was amended by the Council, and while it was conceded by the IToe-e that the measure had been improved ;•;.• the amendment, it challenges the right of the Council to amend a money clause. 'ihe life members of the Council contend thai, (he clause is merely a, commercial one. and dues not come .within the eategoiy of a " money clause.'' in that it does not trench on the taxation of the country ; and so the matter stands at present. The question will come up again before the Council this afternoon. There seems to be a. general consensus of opinion that, the Council ought not to yield its rights, even to the extent of having its amendment printed in antique, tvjKj, unless refusing to give way would result in the Bill being lost. Sir Henry Miller and the Hon. Geo. MTican, however, would sooner see the Bill killed than that the Council should yield. They pointout that if the deadlock continues the Premier can introduce another State Fire Insurance Bill with the Council's amendment in it, and such a measure would run the gauntlet of both Chambers in an hour. LOCAL BODIES' LOANS. Several amendments were made by the Legislative Council yesterday in the Local Bodies' Loans Act Amendment Bill On the motion of the Attorney-General, clause 5 was replaced by the following:—"When? a special rate is made over the. whole of any legal subdivision of a district as security for a loan, the annual charges in respect of the loan may be paid out of any separate rate ma/le over the whole of the same subdivision, and in any such case Tt shall not be necessary to collect the special rate." It was also decided to .substitute the following for the existing proviso to clause 8 (increasing the rates of interest): —"Provided that where, prior to the passing of this Act, tlie Treasurer has provisionally approved, or agreed to gra-nt, the amount so authorised to be borrowed, or anv portion thereof, the loan may be completed as if this section had not been passed, and section 59 of the principal Act had not been repealed." Clause 10 was omitted, and replaced by the following:—"Where, on the alteration of the boundaries cf any district, any area over which a special rate is made as security for a loan comes within the district of any local authority other than the authority that made the rate, then, with respect to such area, there shall, for the purposes of section 11 of the Local Bodies' Loans Amendment Act, 13C2. be deemed to be a merger." On the motion of the Hon. J. Marshall, clause 5 of the main Act was amended by increasing from ! £2O to £SO the amount which a local bodv ihay pay before raising a special rate in any separate district.—The Bill was reported with amendments. THE ABSENTEE LAND TAX.

Before the Land and Income Assessment Bill was passed last night, Sir W. R. Russell entered a final protest regarding the increased tax imposed on absentees.—The third reading of the measure was carried on a division by 48 to 11.