PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 July 1916, Page 6

PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS.

NOTES FROM PRESS GALLERY.

FREEZING COMPANIES AND WAR

PROFITS,

[Our Parliamentary Reporter.]

WELLINGTON, This Day,

In reply to Mr. G. Hunter who asked if the Finance Minister would favourably consider the question of making a concession in the amount of excess profits payable by the freezing companies which ■recently started operations, Sir Joseph Ward stated yesterday that freezing companies will be accorded the same treatment as other tax payers who have recently commenced operations. No separate special concession can bo granted to them. SOLDIERS’ CHILDREN. A request that the sons and daughters of soldiers bo given preference in the civil service has been answered by the Minister of Internal Affairs. _ 4 ‘The public service committee,” lo said, “advises that special consideration be given to all applications received from dependants of Now Zealand soldiers who are serving with the Expeditionary Forces. .Many such are now employed in the public service. ” % HELPING INEXPERIENCED TEACHERS. ’ i Dealing with a suggestion by Mr. Thompson that inspectors bo advised to devote a portion of their time to the work of giving practical demonstrations in teaching in the smaller schools which ■ are in many cases in charge'of inexpar-, ionced teachers, the Minister of Education said “I realise that this is the usual policy. In two districts a special organising inspector was, some years ago appoint cd to give close personal attention fo the small schools only, and in a third when an additional inspector'was appointed ho was specially deputed to attend to this work.

“I regret' that the policy of amalgamation; the small schools has not been applied by tho Education Board'.”' added Mr Hanan. ‘‘lf this were done, .there wpuld be fewer inefficient schools, fewer uncerti floated teachers, and better stuffs and equipment, while ' the inspectors could devote more time ‘to bach of the smaller schools, Such a system would result in a mucii higher standard of, education being provided for the, children in scattered'districts.”

NEW ZEALAND MUTTON. IN ■ ENGLAND.

•The. allegation of- newspaper correspondents that the Imperial Government

makes a profit of 12s 6d on Now Zealand lambs sold to private consumers in London was brought under the Premier’s notice by Mr. Witty .'the result being an interesting statement by Mr. Massey. “Part of the New Zealand* mutton,” ho said “bought by the Imperial Government was used for the troops, but' none of the lambs. Correspondence has been passing with the High Commissioner on the subject. Instead of costing 2d per lb. to place the lamb on the London market, I am in a position to state that the cost was 2 5-Bd. There are many charges unheard of before owing % to the scarcity :f shipping and the heavy storage charges paid in New Zealand, where 2,000,000 are now in store. At the other end the authorities keep 3,000,000 in store as reserve. ’