PRESS ASSOCIATION.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLI, Issue 269, 14 November 1907, Page 2

PRESS ASSOCIATION.

"WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

The Council met at 2.30 p.m. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Leave of absence' was granted to the Hon. Mr Samuel until the end of the session*, on account of illness. FIRST READINGS. The following Bills from the House were read a first time: —Railways Improvement Authorisation Act Amendment Bill, Butter Export Bill, Hospital and Charitable Aid Institutions Amendment Bill, and the Defence. Amendment Bill. SANITARY INSPECTION OF SCHOOLS. The Hon. Capt, BAILLIE moved, iCThat it is desirable that the Government should take into consideration during the recess the desirableness of preparing legislation to provide for the sanitary inspection or all schools and colleges (private as well as public), and for the medical inspection of school children." The Hon. Mr GEORGE seconded the motion. The Hon. Dr. FINDLAY said that the matter was of very great importance. It had not escaped the attention "of the Government, but the suggestion that all, children should be systematically examined would, if carried into effect, involve very great expenditure. At the same time the Government had not overlooked the matter, and perhaps by next session they might have some proposal to lay before Parliament. The motion was agreed to. COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING. The Hon. Mr CALuAN continued the debate on the Hon. Mr Loughnan's motion, " That, in order effectively to defend the Dominion against possible enemies, it is imperative taat all able-bodied adult males should be trained to the use of arms, and instructed in such military or naval drill as may be necessary for the purpose. He did not see why the youth of the Dominion should not serve for at least ihreo or four years as Volunteers. , _ The Hon. Dr. COLLINS advocated •drilling children at schools as soon as they had attained the age of 10 years. When a lad was fourteen he could be trained to the use of the rifle. He -also advocated the delivery of lectures by members of the Defence Council before school-children on their duty to their country in the matter of defence, and there should also be a system of keeping records of the health, etc., of ■children. This would enable us to work up to the national standard of health. , The motion was lost by 21 to 4. FLOUR DUTY BILL. The Flour and Other Products Monopoly Prevention Bill was further -considered in Committee, reported with machinery amendments, read a third time, and passed. _ The Council adjourned at 5 p.m. till 7.30.