POLITICAL POINTS

Evening Star, Issue 19001, 24 July 1925, Page 11

POLITICAL POINTS

KIT KSTSCmi

(From Opr Paeuamerxam Reporter.]

WELLINGTON, July 23. Tho Minister of Labor remarked in Ilie Houso to-day, in reply to a question from Mr AlCumbs, that he was sorry to have to say that tho Rent Restriction Act, which expired on August 81, would, have to he renewed. Mr ’ M'Combs, in urging this course, stated that the 1921’ census showed that 10,000 people lived in Christchurch under conditions of overcrowding, and that the number of' houses since built had not met the requirements of tho normal increase in population. * * * A CLOSED DEPARTMENT. The closing down of the Repatriation ; Department has caused dilliculty over tho absorption of its former lujad and another official, which prompted Mr Langs tone to question the Prime Minister, alleging that the Government Insurance Department, from which these officers woro loaned, refused to reinstate them because it had no vacancies, while the head of tho department refused to draw salary until it was made up to tho amount he received as Director of Repatriation. Mr Coates stated that the matter was being discussed between the Government and the State Insurance Department,' the point being that the former head of the Repatriation Department, who was given a position in his old department, maintained that he should continue on the salary he recently obtained. This officer did valuable work, and he had earned something more than ho was now getting. BACKBLOCKS CHILDREN’S OPPORTUNITIES. The Education Department has increased its correspondence school staff, which now provides education for 504 childi’en in tho remote backblocks, also for disabled children who cannot attend school. The education report states that owing to the exactitude, thoroughness, 'and comparative indei pondence under which correspondence pupils have to work, ami to tho definite correction and comment on the individual work of scholars, as well as to tho intimate and helpful guidance given by parents or elder members of a family, it is found that in many respects pupils of correspondence classes have distinct advantages, compensating for some of their disabilities. It is expected that a considerable proportion of those children will in many respects quite hold their own with children taught in the ordinary schools. The expenditure on correspondence schools amounted to approximately £3' 10s, and ns the Government grant allowed towards the salary of teachers in grade O schools is £l3 per unit of average atotndancc, the correspondence system of tuition represents very considerable economy, while it provides education quite as good as, if not better than, that generally provided in grade schools. * * * « AGRICULTDRAL EDUCATION. The subjects of agriculture, nature study, and rural science have been supervised, ami in some of the district high schools taught as iu former years by itinerant instructors, especially qualitfied in agriculture, states the : Education Department in its annual 1 report. It adds that, as there are seventy-three district high schools and over 2,500 primary schools, it is not possible for the twenty-live itinerant instructors to do much more than visit | the schools occasionally and advise Meachers and supervise their work fii ■ the school garden and science room. !As it is not considered necessary at 1 to increase largely tho 'staff of specialist agriculture instructors in primary schools, it is necessary that tho teachers themselves should have a j competent knowledge of the subjects I of rural science and'nature study. ' Tho department has accordingly encouraged the attendance of teachers at special short courses in these subjects, arranged at convenient centres during school vacations.