POLITICAL NOTES

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 17 August 1928, Page 7

POLITICAL NOTES

ITEMS FROM THE HOUS%

MUSIC TEACHERS’ BILL.

REGISTRATION PROPOSALS

(By Telegraph—Special to The Star.)

WELLINGTON, Aug. 16. Sir John Luke Is Music Teachers’ Registration Bill lias been reported hack from the Education Committee tvith several amendments. No person shall be registered on the grounds that ho has been engaged in. teaching in New: Zealand for at least 12 months unless the application is made within two years of the passing of the Act. Originally the Bill stipulated twelve months. Another amendment provides that persons removed from the roll because they are more than three months in arrears with the annual fee shall be restored on payment of the arrears. The money received by the registration board may be used for a variety of purposes in addition to making it possible to pay an appellant’s costs of appeal. A further new sub-clause allows of tile establishment of a provident fund for the assistance of registered teachers in necessitous circumstances. A LATE DECISION.

Members listened with amusement to reports from the Public Petitions Committee on the daylight saving question, seeing that they bad already settled that question. However, they were interested to know that a committee referred to the Government for favourable consideration the petitions from Mr W. J. Poison and 8744 others, and from the dairy fanners and workers of Dim-e-din and surrounding districts, praying that Parliament should not re-enact the daylight saving legislation. EAR-MARKING OF STOCK.

Mr John B. Ritchie, for many years secretary of the Department of Agriculture, and Mr L. Bruce, who was assistant director of the live stock division of the Department up his retirement on superannuation, have petitioned Parliament praying that an investigation be made by a select, committee of their system of ear-marking stock with a view to acquisition by the Government, and its adoption throughout the Dominion. It comprises of 18 approved marks, from which 8820 earmarks can be allotted and the petitioners claim that every sheep owner in New Zealand could be given a distinctive earmark for his flock. They believe it would be a; great benefit if their system was compulsorily enforced- throughout the Dominion. HARDSHIP TO SURVEYORS.

The Lands Committee has considered the petition of the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors praying for an ainendmtnt of the Engineers Registration Act, 1924. The committee reported to the House its opinion that this request should be referred bo the Government for consideration in order that the lajW may be amended so that, if possible, any cases of hardship suffered by men whose names appear in the schedule of the petition may be'redressed.

HEAVY TRAFFIC LICENSE FEES.

WELLINGTON, Aug. 17. An endeavour was made by Mr. Forbes, leader of the Nationalist Party, to translate in the House to-night ai hint given* by the member for Christo church North that the Government had a pleasant surprise for motorists, which had been approved by the caucus, though he could not tell them what it would be. “When the Budget came out,” continued Mr. Forbes, “I looked for this pleasant surprise and found nothing. 1 had hoped that the member for Christchurch North would take us into liis confidence, but he failed to do so. However, I am informed that it is a reduction in heavy traffic fees. 1 was not at their caucus, but I think that that was the point.” When Mr. Forbes concluded, Mr. H. Holland (Christchurch North) rose to a point of order. He declared that any suggestion that he had. .mentioned' a possible reduction of the heavy motor traffic fees was absolutely incorrect. Mr. Forbes, in reply, repeated his former statement, adding, “I was informed of it, but not by the member.