LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 29 August 1929, Page 5

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

SUMMER, TIME BILL.

OTHER, MATTERS DISCUSSED,

(By Telegraph—Press Association.;

WELLINGTON, Aug. 28. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. to-day. Leave of absence on ■account of illness was granted to Hon. E. W. Alison (seven days), Hon. W. E. Co 1-1 iiiy (six days), and Hon. H. L. Michel (a further 14 days). The Leader of the, Council gave notice to introduce a Summer Time Bill, and a Bill providing for the establishment of a Solicitors’ Fidelity Guarantee Fund.

Sir James Allen asked the Leader of the Council if a report bad been received from an advisory committee of the Imperial Institute dealing with the deterioration of Romney wool. Mr Sidey relied that the report had been piaced before the Romney Marsh Sheepbreeding Association, the New Zealand Sheepowners’ Federation, .and other shcepib,reeding interests, but owing to its very technical nature it was not considered suitable for general publication, particularly as some of the questions at issue were- still under discussion, and as the origin of fleeces on which a portion of the report were based was uncertain and the fleeces themselves perhaps not truly representative.

RELIGIOUS TEACHING IN SCHOOLS. The Hon. G. M. Thomson moved tile second reading of liis Education Amendment Bill proposing to introduce a system of religious instruction into public schools on the lines of the Victorian system. He strongly advocated religious teaching in schools, and said that if they couttd not get the whole loaf they should accept half, and the measure provided for that. Subject to some modifications the Victorian system eould be applied here. It was proposed that teaching should be (Secular in the .sense of being non-sectarian. He proposed the system should operate by Act of Parliament instead of by regulation, as in Victoria. It would not alter the essential character of the present education system.

The Hon. IV. W. Snodgrass spoke of the. benefits of the Nelson system, and supported the Bill for the good it would) do.

Tho Hon. G. Witty condemned the measure's as unnecessary while the Nelson system was doing such, good work. The work should be left to the clergy.

ALSATIAN DOGS. Sir Thomas MacKenzie moved: That in the opinion of the Council measures should be taken not only to prevent the breeding of Alsatian dogs in this country, but to stop the admission of such animals into the Dominion in order to remove what may become ai menace to sheep farmers and others. He said lie had been prompted to move in the matter after hearing and reading of the trouble caused by Alsatian dogs. He quoted at length from newspapers to show that the dogs were ferocious and assaulted human beings and aninnalis, inflicting terrible injuries. This was an agricultural country, and there were quite sufficient pests hero already vrithout adding to their number.

The Hon. R. Scott seconded the motion pro forma. The Hon. G. J. Smith opposed the motion, stressing the intelligence and general usefulness of Alsatians. There hud not been one case in Austnfllia or New Zealand where Alsatians had gone wild. They did damage, hut what dog did not? The Dog Registration Act provided all the protection necessary, lit contained drastic powers whereby dogs which did damage could he shot. Properly trained, there was no better clog for sheen and cattle work. Sir R. Heaton-Rbodes moved that the matter ho referred to tliei joint ,Agricultural and Stock Committee in order that yheopowners and members of the Alsatian Dog Club could give evidence.

After further discussion, the subject was “talked out.”