PARLIAMENTARY UNION.

Evening Star, Issue 12843, 19 June 1906, Page 8

PARLIAMENTARY UNION.

At tho weekly meeting of the above Union there was an excellent attendance of members. Two now members—Messrs J. T. Pemberton (Wakatipu) and D. Ramsay (Nelson) —were formally introduced to tho Speaker (Mr A. E, Barclay). Mr W. Davidson (Oroua) asked the question standing opposite his name on the Order Paper relating to the superannuation question as affecting the education service. The Dunedin and suburban, school committees had recently issued a circular, in which it was stated that owing to the illiberal and inadequate allowances- for back service, teachers and others in the service had been unable to contribute towards the Superannuation Fund The hon. member also askd it the attention of the Government had been directed to tbo question of_ over-pressure in the public schools.—The Premier (Mr A. D. Aitken) said he had, as Minister,of Education, taken notice of the circular referred to, and in his opinion the statements made therein required very carefully looking into, although ho did not believe they had been made carelessly.—(Hear, hear.) The Education Committee would doubtless fully investigate the matter, and if there were any discrepancies in the Act tho Committee would find them out. Tito Government would then introduce a Bill based on the finding of the Committee. The matter of over-pressure' in the schools was already receiving tho attention of the Government.

Mr F. W. Clayton (Mount Ida) asked if the Government would place a sum on the Estimates for. the establishment of a new hospital building. Tho site of the present institution was very badly selected indeed. In Timaru, Oamaru, and Napier the hospitals were erected on tfife hills, and medical testimony went to show how wise a course this was. He also asked if the Government would further lake steps to have the .present hospital converted into a technical school and art gallery.—The Premier fully agreed with <ho lion, member for Mount Ida regarding tho unsuitability of the hospital site, but surely that was a matter for the local authorities and the citizens of Dunedin. Ho did not think it was the province of the Government to direct communities in these matters of obvious duties. The Government would lend every support to any local endeavor. The Old Age Pensions Bill was read a first time. The debate on the second reading of the Combination and Pooled Products Bill was then continued.—The Premier, in moving the second reading, pointed out the advantages to be gained by the measure, which aimed at retaining all the virtues and none of the vices which at present existed in connection with the American trusts and combines.—Mr W. S Bedford, Leader of the Opposition, said that he absolutely opposed the measure, which was faulty, loose, and absolutely unworkable —A motion for the adjournment of the d»*bate was Wt on the voices, and Messrs J. Gilchrist rWeilmgton Ba«t), H. Brasch (Avon), and H. Bcgg (MV.nawatu) addressed the Honse on tho BUl.—Another motion for adjournment of the debate was then put and lo<r, and tho debate was continued by Messrs E. S. Moss fWairau), W. P. Michael (Hawke’s Bay), F. \V. Clayton (Mount Ida), L. D. Ritchie (Thames), and L. T. Bumard (Minister of Labor). Mr Davidson gave notice of motion to move the abolition of tho regulation limiting free places in secondary schools to children who have obtained proficiency certificates before attaining tho age of fourteen years. The House then adjourned.