PARLIAMENT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 4 October 1924, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

EDUCATION RESERYES. AAIENDING LEGISLATION. BETTER ADMINISTRATION. (BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON. Oct. 3. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. to-day. The Aiinister for Education (Hon. C. •J. Parr) moved the second reading of the Education Reserves Amendment Bill. He explained that the Bill was destined to provide for better administration of education reserves, which Averfe at present managed by the Lands Department. The Bill, provides in special cases, AA’ith the approval of the Minister for Lands, that the value of improvements made by an outgcaYig tenant may be paid to him and added to the capital A-alue of the land for purposes of its subsequent disposition. The payment for such improvements and also certain compensation payable on the resumption of reserves and endowments must be made out of the Consolidated Fund in the first instance and shall be a charge unon certain funds held by th G Public Trustee for oduaetional purposes. Alachinery is also provided for the payment of revenue from education reserves and endowments administered by land boards into district deposit accounts ear-marked for primary and secondary education respectively. Secondary education moneys, are to be paid OA T er quarterly to the governing bodies of secondary schools of the district in proportion to the number of pupils in average attendance (pupils in the ioAver departments exclude*d)T Primary education moneys are to be used in the .relief of primary education expenses chargeable upon the Consolidated Fund. The expenses of administering endoAvments and reserves which are a charge, upon the Consolidate Fund are to be defrayed out of the district funds referred to, and the same applies to other expense-s, such as rates, legal and survey lees, reports and general maintenance. A Land Board, with the consent of the Aiinister, may apply the proceeds of the sale of a school site, Avhether it has buildings upon it or not, towards the •erection of school buildings upon another public school site. Land therefore reserved for secondary or technical school purposes may be vested in an education board or other governing body by Crder-in-Council. The power of high school trustees to lease lands vested in them is narrowed to the extent that they may not .lease land vested in them as a high school site. Alachinery amendments to the larv goA r ernhig the sale or exchange of portions of education reserves for public purposes are also proposed. The second reading .was agreed to vithout debate, and the Bill Avas put through the committee stage, read a third time and passed. The Seddon Family Burial Ground Biir, removing doubts as to the legality of this private burial ground, Avas put through all stages and passed. The Premier moved the second reading of the Stamp Duties Amendment Bill, to Avhieli he brought do\A’n a number of further amendments. The Bill was read a second time, the neAv amendments being referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. The Hoimc rose at 11.30 p.m. till 7.30 p.m. on Alonday. \ LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. A WIRELESS DIFFICULTY. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 nun.* The Hon. Alark Cohen asked whether, .eeing that Wireless Amalgamated Ltd., if Australia,* had by threats of legal process succeeded in closing doAvn all the broadcasting services in-the Dominion on accoAint of an alleged infringement of the association’s patent rights, the Government would take steps tor prevent-, if possible, the. continuance of such a dangerous monopoly. Sir Francis Bell said the Government bad the matter under immediate consideration.

The Land and Income Tax (annual) Bill Avas put through its final stages and passed Avith out further amendment. Th§ Council adjourned at 3.45 p.m. ill 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday.