ESTIMATES REVIEWED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19762, 8 October 1927, Page 13

ESTIMATES REVIEWED.

SCHOOL LIBRARIES VOTE. TEACHERS' APPOINTMENTS. [By T&LEGItAPH.—PfiESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Friday. The House of Representatives this Afternoon went into Committee of Supply to further consider the Estimates. The following votes were passed tinaltered:—Customs Department, £176,899; Stamp Duties Department, £93,013; Land and Income Tax Department, £55,218. On the vote of £66,923 for the State Advances Department members raised many points in regard to administration and made requests for information as to what chance applicants had of securing money required for building homes. After the Minister had replied, the vote was passed unaltered. On the vote of £118,650 for the Marine Department a number of topics were discussed and this took the House to the dinner adjournment. The debate was continued in the evening. In his reply the Minister said a light for Slipper Island had been advocated, but this would have to wait its turn. It was hoped to do something before long to obtain improved charts of the coast. The vote was passed unaltered. The Pensions Department, £185,945, followed, and then came Education Department, £3,003,474. Mr. R. McKeen (Wellington South) complained that teachers were not given fair treatment in the matter of right of appeal concerning appointments. Mr. H. E. Holland, Leader of the ■ Opposition, asked the Minister to insist that in State-aided school libraries there should be a larger proportion of books i on science, philosophy, etc., and that these libraries should not consist wholly of fiction. The Hon. D. Buddo (Kaiapoi) thought the vote for school libraries was not large enough to give the necessary assistance ' to small libraries. He also strongly advocated the policy of exchanging teachers with other parts of the Empire, as it was all to the good. Replying to Mr. McKeen, the Minister gave particulars of appointments to which exception was taken, contending that everything was done in accordance with law and the regulations. With regard to school libraries, he thought the vote j of £3OOO was too small and should be ; increased. Ho also agreed that a better . class of books should be bought, and this , suggestion would be made. He agreed it I was ft good plan to promote the exchange i of teachers. i, At 11.10 p.m. the vote v.-as passed, as 3 were also the votes for Public Service Commissioner, £6886; Public Trustee, s £233,529; Electoral, £9780; Cook Islands, 1 £56,215; Audit, £29,527; Nauru and j Ocean Islands Account £6OO. r This completed the Estimates and the House rose.