EDUCATION BILL DEBATE

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 March 1933, Page 7

EDUCATION BILL DEBATE

SCHOOL-AGE PETITION BREEZE IN THE HOUSE [PEB PBEBB ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, March 8. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. In the report on the petition requesting the Government, not to give effect to the policy of the raising of the school admission age to six years, the Education Committee stated that as the question of Government policy was involved, it. had no recommendations to make. The report was presented by Mr. Bodkin (Chairman of the Committee). Mr. Carr said that, this was another case in which a Government decision on an important education question had been made before it had been considered by the Education Committee of the House, and the Government had

used its majority on the Committee to secure a recommendation that did not conflict with its policy. He went on to say that the motion had been moved, while the Committee was sitting, to refer the petition to the Government for favourable consideration, but the Chairman had stated that, he could

not. put the motion because the time was 2.30 p.m., and the Committee could not. under the standing orders, continue sitting when the time had arrived for assembling of the House. Mr.

Carr said he had pointed out that it was not 2.30. In fact, it was only 2.24, and the House bells had not. commenced ringing. The Chairman was then about Io put the motion, but the Minister of Native Affairs, who was

■epresenting the Cabinet on the Com

mittee, had thereupon moved an amendment, that because the question of Government policy was involved, the Committee had no recommendation to make. It had been apparent at that stage that the amendment would not be carried, and the Minister had frankly honored the custom of “talking the matter out.” He had adopted this course, and when the matter had. again come before the Committee there had been a majority in favour of tho Minister’s amendment. Mr. Carr complained that the action of the Chairman of the Committee in failing to put the motion, when it had first been moved, had been reprehensible. Mr. Sullivan alleged that the full force of the Coalition had been brought to bear upon its representatives on the Committee, to ensure the Minister’s amendment would be carried.

Mr. Forbes said the question of school admission age "was a matter of Government policy, and had been settled in the House before the petition had come before the Committee. He asked what good purpose could have been served by endeavouring to induce the Committee to make a recommendation "which would renew the agitation on this subject. The Leader of the Opposition said it was apparent from Ihe Prime Minister’s remarks that it was futile, no matter how just a case might'be. to peti-

tion Parliament, wherever a matter of Government, policy was involved, because. the Government would use pressure on its majority of members on any select committee to secure that a report was brought down that would not conflict with its policy. He hoped Mr. Forbes would not persist in that attitude.

Mr. Holland moved that the report be referred back to the Committee for further consideration.

GOVERNMENT POLICY.

Mr. Stallworthy also expressed regret at the view stated by Mr. Forbes. He said that if it became apparent just consideration could not be obtained for a petition, it would be the duty of a Member of Parliament to inform tho petitioners it was useless to appeal to the highest court in the land, when the matter touched upon Government policy. Mr. Samuel: It has always been the same.

Mr. Holland (Christchurch North) expressed regret that, party feeling had recently manifested itself in proceedings of Select Committees. In his opinion, Mr. Bodkin had always been absolutely fair and impartial. Mr. Holland added that he desired to give an unqualified denial to a. statement that pressure had been brought to bear upon Government representatives on Select Committees, and he instanced the fact that one Government member had voted against the Minister’s amendment, to show that the Coalition representatives had been free to vote in accordance with their convictions. Mr. Bodkin said he took exception to Mr. Carr’s reference to him. He quoted from the minutes of the Committee meetings to show he had previously agreed to postpone taking a vote on the subject of the petition, until there was a full meeting of members. He had done this on occasions when there was a majority in favour of the Government view. He would not lend himself to any attempt to secure an unfair advantage over any member. Referring to the occasion when the matter had come up for final consideration. he said he had consulted his watch when the motion had been moved, and members of the Committee would bear him out that the time by his watch had been 2.30. Mr. Carr

had pointed out the time was actually 2.24, and he had been preparing to put the motion, when the Minister had intervened, and moved an amendment, which was ultimately carried. Mr. Fraser had good-humouredly commented. on the Minister’s tactics, and remarked, '‘Well, adjourn till you get. a full meeting." It was at the full meeting of the Committee that, the amendment, had been adopted. Mr. Atmore said ho resented the Prime Minister’s inference that he, as a member of the Committee, had voted on party lines. He had voted in accordance with his convictions. Reviewing the proceedings of the Committee to which Mr. Carr had referred, Mr Atmore said the Chairman had displayed excitement. when the motion had been moved, and had said the time was 2.:1O. Mr. Atmore also pointed out that the amendment had eventually been carried on the Chairman's casting vote. Mr. Holland's motion was defeated by 41 to 22, and the report was tabled.

The House went into Committee on the Finance Bill (No. 4.) The schedule of the Bill was amended to increase exemption from taxation from 20 per cent, to 40 per cent., in the case of trackless electric omnibuses. Mr. Coates intimated that additional clauses would be introduced after the Bill had been before the Legislative Council.

The Bill was reported to the House, and the third reading debate was in progress when the House adjourned at 5.30.

The House resumed at 7.30. Replying to the debate on the third reading of the Finance Bill. Mr. Coates gave the assurance that it was not proposed to debase New Zealand currency in consequence of the issue of special, coinage. He thought it would bo realised that discussions on the subject should as a. matter of courtesy, take place with the Master of the Royal Mint, to whom for years past. New' Zealand had looked for guidance, on such matters. Negotiations had shown that the Dominion would experience little difficulty so far as price was concerned. Tho Bill was read a third time and passed. The Waitangi Endowment Bill was read a second time.

CROWN TENANTS

Moving the second reading of the

Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Bill. Mr. Ransom explained' the provisions suspending the right, of the Crown tenants to opply for revaluation of properties. The Minister said

that between the third and sixth years of his lease, a lessee had absolute right to apply for revaluation, and the determination of the district committees was final, between the first and

third years. After the sixt year, valuation could only take place if authorised by the Central Revaluation Board. The Minister said that revaluation was not a permanent cure for

the present troubles of Crown tenants, as many could not carry on, even if revalution were allowed. The Government. had power to assist, tenants over their difficulties by remissions, and by other means. There was a. tendency on the part of valuers to

value on present day value of pro duce, thus unduly reducing capital There" were leases with a capital val-

ue of £904,706 just coming into threesix yeai’ period, and if they were revalued to-day, it "would involve a large writing down of capital. When sections were re-valued, tho price was put down for all time. The proposal in the Bill was to suspend for one year the right, of Crown tenants to apply for re-valuation, in the hope

that more normal times would soon be reached. It was not his desire to sustain high values, but it had to be remembered' that heavy losses resulting from re-valuations made during the slump times had to be borne by tho general taxpayer. It might ultimately be found necessary to adopt a lower standard of land values right throughout the Dominion, but piecemeal re-valuations under the present conditions were neither fair nor desirable. The Bill was read a second time.

INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS Mr. Forbes, moving the second reading of the Education Amendment Bill outlined the measure on the lines of the explanation he gave when the Bill was introduced. He said it dealt with alterations which were necessary as the result of the economy measures

taken by the Government. Provision was made for the establishment and control of Junior or Intermediate High Schools, and although there had been objections on the ground that legislation was dealing with the question in piecemeal manner, the Government considered it more satisfactory, in view of the financial position of the country, to carry out the policy gradually rather than to make sweeping changes. Mr. Carr said that without unification of local control, everything would be “higgledy-piggeldy.” The establishment of Intermediate schools should be carried out under a comprehensive national policy, and the establishment of these schools should take place when unification was established. Mr. Walter Nash said the Bill contained several important, features, yet. the Education Committee had been ignored. He contended that the establishment of intermediate schools should be preceded by experimental investigation during the recess. The Education Committee had recommended a three years course in these schools, but the Government proposed' a two years course. It would simply take the children from public schools after passing standard four, and place them for two years in the new schools. This would mean shifting round children and teachers without any beneficial results. He urged Mr. Forbes even at this late stage to refer the measure to the Education Committee. The Education Amendment Bill was read a second time, without, division. The Local Legislation Bill was read a second time without discussion. The House then proceeded to the second reading of the Government Railways Amendment. Bill, which was introduced last night. Members questioned the advisability of the Government. disposing of any of its lines to private enterprise, and an indication was given that when the Bill is in committee, Labour members would endeavour to insert an amendment to give the Government power subsequently to resume possession of any lines disposed of should it desire to do so. The bill was read a second time.

Amendments to the Small Farms (Relief of Unemployment) Bill were introduced, and agreed to. The House rose at 1.25 a.m. TO-DAY’S PROCEEDINGS WELLINGTON, March 9. The House of Representatives met at 10.30 a.m. The Waitangi Endowment Bill and Reserves and other Lands Disposals Bills were put through committee, without amendment. The commitiee stage of the Education Amendment Bill was then commenced. Amendments to Hie Education Amendment. Bill were introduced by Mr Forbes. One amendment permits Education Boards, without approval of the Senior Inspector, to refuse to appoint female married teachers, where the term of service as required by regulations has been completed. Mr Forbes pointed out the fact to be considered was not the teacher’s qualifications, or fitness, but her financial position, and this could bo decided by Hie Board without consulting Hie Inspector. Through a misunderstanding it was propost'd to empower school commit lees to suspend a teacher for neglect duty, but the clause is Io be amended to confine a. school committee’s authority for suspension to cases of immoral conduct or gross misbehaviour. Provision for compulsory enrolment in special classes of subnormal children, has been modified to provide for a special prior examination by the school medical officer;

Mr. Forbes stated that, in case of transfers of teachers on account of over-scale salaries, the removal expenses would, be paid by the Depart-

mcnt, and tho teachers themselves would not bo called upon to bear this cost.

The House was still dealing with the Education Amendment Bill, in committee, when the adjournment was taken at 1 p.m. SMALL FARMS FINANCE WELLINGTON. March 9. Explaining the Small Farms Bill Amendments, passed by the House of Representatives last night, Mr. Coates said that, authority "would be given for the payment, of rent for the first three years of the term of the small farm lease. As the Clause stood in the Bill,

unpaid rent was definitely charged on the Unemployment Board. Now, it was left to the Board to determine in any case whether or not the payment of rent should be made. As originally passed, the clause might easily have encouraged lessees to default, in their payments. The Minister said that. a. necessary part of the machinery for the taking of land for the purposes of the scheme was provided by another amendment, which invoked the aid of the Public Works Act and the Land for Settlement Act, in respect to compulsory acquisition. A proviso allowed that a Board be set up tinder the legislation to determine, in case of dispute, the amount of compensation or purchase money to be paid for land compulsorily acquired. Another proviso gave a greater

measure of protection to a mortgagee, whose security might be land intended to be acquired for the scheme. This required notice of the Board s intention to acquire or lease land being given to a. mortgagee. It further required that his representations should be dealt with by the Board, before other action was taken.

An additional clause provided that, where mortgagors of land leased as a. small farm defaulted in interest payments, the rent paid under the lease was to be applied in satisfaction of

the unpaid interest. In cases .where the rent, was more than sufficient to meet, the first mortgagee’s claims, it could be applied for the benefit of the second or other mortgagees, in order of priority. Corresponding provision was made concerning the application for the benefit of mortgagees of the purchase money paid on the acquisition by the lessee of the fee simple. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

WELLINGTON, March 8. The Legislative Council met. at 2.30 p.m. The Thames Harbour Board Loans Adjustment Bill was put through all stages and passed. The Contraceptives Bill was read a second time without discussion, on the motion of Mr Carrington. In the committee stage, Sir J. Allen said the Bill was designed to confine the sale of contraceptives to registered chemists and prohibit the sale to persons under 18, but there was nothing to prevent a person over 18 buying contraceptives on behalf of anyone under that age.

Mr Buddo said he doubted whether the Bill, which was inquisitorial,, would be of any value. Sir T. Sidey said it might be wise to restrict the sale of contraceptives to persons who had obtained a medical certificate.

Mr Collins said it would be difficult to legislate to meet all points which had been raised. He thought it might be desirable to raise the age of prohibited persons to twenty, and he suggested the matter be further considered.

Mr Smith said an amendment to the Police Offences Act might meet the position better than the Bill.

Mr Masters suggested that the Bill he withdrawn until next session to enable further inquiries to be made. Mr Carrington said he had no desire to force the Bill through the Council, and he moved for the withdrawal.

The motion was agreed to. The Council rose at 3.30 p.m J until 10.30 n.ni. the next day.

TOO BIG SUPERANNUATIONS

WELLINGTON, March 9. The Legislative Council met at 10.30

Speaking on the second reading of

the Finance Bill, Mr. Fagan urged that legislation should be introduced to relieve the position with respect to some twenty-seven State superannuitants, who had vastly overdrawn the amounts they had paid into the funds. A return presented to the Council had shown that, these men had paid a total of £26,618, and had already drawn out £152,658. They were still drawing out on the same scale, and some of them were holding down other positions, when there were 70,000 men out of employment. Another class which should be dealt with v. as the “highest, branch of the Justice Department.” The Judiciary had been subject to salary reductions in England and Australia, and in view of the fact that the New Zealand branch had not seen fit to accept a voluntary reduction, he suggested that compulsion should he employed. NO MANAGED CURRENCY. During the Finance Bill debate in the Council. Mr Hanan said that, provision was made in the Bill for the establishment of silver coinage. He hoped the Government did not have in mind a managed currency. Mr Masters: It has no bearing on Mr Hanan: I am glad to have that assurance. Ho considered that there were inherent. dangers in any system ot managed currency, and that eventually the principal countries would return to the gold standard. Sir F. D. Bell said he had objected over and over again to “the rubbish being put in Finance Bills.” Technically it was most important, that amendments to legislation should be brought about by amendments to original Acts, and provision in the Finance Bill for a fine, for which a masseur was liable if he did not. have a. certificate was an irregularity which amounted to impropriety. 'rhe Bill was put through the remaining stages and passed. The Council adjourned at 12.50 p.m. -•Fll 2.30 p.m. .