POLITICAL NOTES

North Otago Times, 3 August 1903, Page 1

POLITICAL NOTES

By Telegraph. ' (From Our Own Correspondent.)' Wellington, July 31. —Educational Deform.— Mr Seddon, as the new Minister for Education, is bestirring himself. He'proposes to appoint himself and Messrs Wood, Sidoy, J. Allen, Bourne, Buddo, Ell, Fisher, Fowlds, A< L. 1). Eraser,. Graham, Ilall, I-lanon, Hardy, Hogg, Letlibridge, Lewis, Major, Massey, T,..Mackenzie, M'Nab, Sir Win. Russell, Sir W. J. Steward a Committee to inquire and report on the following points on primary education, and especially jvith regard to the curriculum now existing—(2) On secondary education subjects, tho standard of proficiency and ago limit for admission; (3) on higher education, working of universities generally, scholarship conditions, advisability or otherwise _of each collego devoting its attention to specialities j, (4) on technical education and manual instructions, advise upon the system now obtaining, and report as to the extensions essential to improvement; (15) trains ingjschools !as colleges for 'teachers ;i (6) oil schools for the education of the nativo race; and (7) on Bills affecting education, schools and education matters as may bo referred to

them, *—Saturday; Half-Holiday,— , Those represeniatlv.es of' the Licensed .Victuallers who gave evidence before the Labor Bills Committeo today, declared that rather than have barmaids limited as the Bill provides, together .with the weekly, halfholiday, they would prefer to havo barmaids abolished altogether. Several traders from Christchurch protested also against a compulsory half holiday on Saturdays. -Liquor. Legislation.— Liquor traders are to have no peace. Mr Taylor, on behalf of the prohibitionists, wants Mr Seddon to substitute an annual for the tri-cn-nial vote on local option. This is hot expected to bo accepted,, but it is intended for tho further delectation of tho ..liquor party. —The Freehold,-.- " : : It" is now,.admitted that a majority in. the present House is favorable to \ tho freeholds system, and if a Laiit : Bill is introduced this' session pro- ■ vision .will be mado by an amendment to give Grown, leaseholders the tight; lo convert theii; farms Into feet m

-Excursionists,Parliamentary trips are in vogui Fiftocn members and their wives le for a tWee days' trip to see M Smith's samples of iron sand. 51 Jennings is organising another t to visit Mokau and Mount Egmont.