PARLIAMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 March 1935, Page 8

PARLIAMENT

CHCH. WOMEN’S PETITION.

[PKB PBESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON, March 22.

The House met at 10.30 a.m. Mr Savage gave notice of his intention to move, next sitting day, that the House expresses grave concern with the inadequate provision made for relief workers and their dependants, and is of opinion that until such time as productive work at standard rates of pay can be made available to every able-bodied worker, an increase of not less than 10/- per week should be made forthwith in the wages of such workers, with a further sympathetic allowance for each dependent. Mr Richards asked the Prime Minister whether he would issue instructions to the Government officers, in Samoa, that positions there should be filled by Europeans, or else half-caste or full-blooded Samoans. At present, he said, certain positions were being filled by Chinese coolie labour, who were paid only £3 per month, while many Europeans and Samoans were in dire distress.

Mr Forbes said that he would have the position investigated. The House was engaged for a considerable time in discussing the petition of Mrs Coleridge Farr, of Christchurch, who sought to regain from the Public Trustee the control of her own estate. The public Petitions Committee recommended that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration.

The facts of the case were outlined by Mr Howard, who explained that Mrs Farr had, at’ one time, been an inmate of a mental institution, and despite the testimonials of several eminent specialists in New Zealand and England, she had not been able to secure control of hpr estate, which in 1908 was valued at £16,000. He submitted that Mrs Farr had not been treated fairly in the matter. Sir A. Young said he had no objection to the recommendation of the committee, and would take the matter up to see what could be done. No obstacle would be placed in the petitioner’s way by the Government. Several members spoke in support of the petition, and the Government was urged to act without delay. The report was tabled.

EDUCATION BILL.

The Education Amendment Bill was introduced. Mr Smith said the Bill was a short one of nine clauses. He said that some Education Boards had been spending money for the maintenance- of school buildings on school grounds. DOubt had arisen if they had legal power to do so. The Bill gave them the power to spend five per cent, of the maintenance grants on the grounds. It also extended the powers of Education Boards to terminate the engagement of married women, whose husbands Were in, a position to maintain them. To Technical School and High School Boards, it also provided, that When schools were reduced in grade, oyerscale teachers may be retained ’ in their present positions for two years instead of one year as previously. It also altered the constitution of the Timaru High Schools Board.

The Bill was read a first time.