PARLIAMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 24 July 1923, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

COST OF SCHOOL BOOKS

From our Parliamentary Correspondent

WELLINGTON, July 23. A story has been going the rounds that parents of school children arc about to he put to considerable expense in the matter of new school books. The Minister of Education stated in the House to-night that there are to be no new school books this year. The suggestion that added expense is to be put on the shoulders of parents was quite inaccurate. The result of purchases next year from the authorised list would be to cheapen the cost. The Department was endeavouring to accomplish the standardisation of primary school books. LICENSING LAW The Prime Minister stated in the House to-night that lie intended to move l'or the appointment of a select committee of twelve to consider what amendments are required in the present Licensing Act, the committee to have power to call for persons and papers and to consist of Messrs Bitchener, Glenn, Harris, Hockly, Horn, Isitt, Lvsnar, Savage, Witty, Wright/'Sir'John Luke and the mover. /

ECONOMY COMMISSION Mr La Perclle intends to ask the Prime Minister if, in view of the urgent need for a reduction, in public expenditure, he will appoint a commission to go into means of effecting economy without reducing efficiency.

ANZAC DAY Mr Savage to-night asked the Government to take into consideration the fact of the dissatisfaction ol workers with the law which compelled them to take a holiday on Anzac, Day, and consider the lidvisibility of amending the law so as to provide for payment or the commemoration of the day on the nearest Sunday.

VARIOUS BILLS - , Sitting at 7.33 to-night so as to enable Cabinet to spend a full day on the important question of soldier settlers 'lands the House was not asked to over work itself. Five more .Government measures introduced on top of the fifteen othei hills, indicates, however, that sooner or later there will be heavy work to do. The Cook Islands Amendment Bill was referred to the Native Aft airs Committee without debate and the Insurance Companies’ Deposits Amendment quickly put through its second reading stage. The Stamp Duties Bill took but a little time to go through the second readi,lg - / , Noxious weeds has always been a sunject of wide discussion in Parliament. To-night, however, an amendment to the Noxious Weeds has always been a subject of wide discussion in Parliament. To-night, however, an amendment to the Noxious Weeds Act designed to provide a little more elasticity in the administration of the principal Act, was put through its second reading by 11.30 p.m. and the House then rose.