PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18813, 13 September 1924, Page 12

PARLIAMENT.

DULL PAY IN HOUSE. DEBATE OH ESTIMATES. THE YOTE FOR EDUCATION. EQUALITY OF THE SEXES. [BT TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Friday. The House of Representatives to-day reached deeper depths of dulness than previously this session in a prolonged debate on the passing of the vote of £2,758,822 on the Estimates for the Department of Education. All sorts of trifling local topics were aired, members seeming almost at a loss to find material for their small talk until a question of the equality of the sexes in the payment ef teachers was raised in an amendment by tho Leader of the Labour Party, Mr. H. E. Holland. Members of his party •were on familiar ground in submitting the logic of the case, quite ignoring its practical difficulties, as emphasised by the Hon. C. J. Parr. The argument continued in circles from the afternoon until after the supper adjournment. When the amendment was finally put it was lost by 29 votes to 27.. ■ Labour followed with another amend ment, that the staffing of schools should be based on the average roll instead of average attendance. It was defeated by 53 votes to 20. The next amendment came from Mr. X J. Murdoch (Marsden), who moved in the direction of providing travelling allowances for part-time teachers. The amendment was lost on the voices. After midnight the Education vote was passed. Then followed in quick succession Crown Law Office, Justice Department, Supreme and Magistrate's Courts, . and Prisons Department. In reply to Mr. Wilford the Hon. C. J. Parr said legislation improving the superannuation of magistrates would be introduced this session. The Marine Department vote was being considered at a late hour. The Legislative Council agreed to <he second reading of four local Bills, including the Auckland City Bill. The Chattels Transfer Bill was passed.