EDUCATION POLICY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20366, 21 September 1929, Page 13

EDUCATION POLICY.

IMPATIENCE AT DELAY.

DEMAND FOR INFORMATION,

MINISTER NOT TO BE DRAWN.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Friday.

An unsuccessful attempt to draw the Minister of Education, the Kon. H. Atmore, ns to when his new policy was to bo announced, was made by members in the House to-dav.

The question was raised by Mr. H. T. Armstrong (Labour —Christchurch East), who asked the Minister whether, in view of tho fact that tho Canterbury School Committees' Association had strongly protested against the long-drawn-out delay in announcing the Government's intentions with respect to tho now junior high schools, ho would rnako a statement to tho House on tho subjoct. - Mr. Armstrong pointed out that tho delay was preventing tho Canterbury Education Board from carrying out much-needed improvements to school buildings. Tho Minister, in reply, said that practically no school in Canterbury was being held up by tho delay in announcing tho new education policy. Representations had been made by Mr. E. J. Howard (Labour —Christchurch South) regarding tho Christchurch West school, and tho Government recognised that improvements there would have to bo made this year. As a matter of fact, tho matter was before tho Cabinet at tho present time. It could not bo said, however, that buildings had been held up. Mr. J. McCombs (Labour —Lyttolton): Wo aro receiving replies that class rooms cannot be constructed until this matter lias been settled.

Tho Minister said ho would deal with tho point later. Ho wished to point out that tho policy of tho Government had been outlined in tho Governor-General's Speech (Reform laughter), and that it had been mado clear that a select committeo would bo set up to hear evidence from all sides. Reference had also been made by tho Prime Minister in the Budget to tho Government's intentions. Mr. McCombs: What about tho holding up of class rooms 7

Tho Minister said the authorisations for buildings this year were in excess of those for tho last five years. Three small buildings only wcro being hold up.

INCENDIARISM DOUBTED.

FIRES IN CHRISTCHURCH.

VIEW OF JUSTICE MINISTER,

[t»t telegraph.—special reporter.] WELLINGTON, Friday,

"I do not believe there is a 'firo bug' in Christchurch, and neither do tho police; they believe it has beon invented by the nowspaper press," declared the Minister in charge of the Police Department, tho Hon. T. M. Wilford, in tho House to-day, when expressing the view that most of the recent fires in Christchurch were ordinary outbreaks. Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Labour—Avon) inquired just what the Minister meant by his statement. Tho Minister: I just mean what I say. Mr. Sullivan: That is a very serious statement to make.

Tho Minister repeated that the opinion was held that most of the fires wero accidental.

Mr. Sullivan: Do you suggest that Christchurcb is burning itself down? Tho Minister: No. Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (Reform—Riccarton) said be was afraid the Minister had not been discreet and that the newspapers would tell him so, too. Tho Minister: I do not expect them to be complimentary. . . Mr. Wilford said tho Commissioner of Polico had told him that the newspapers in Christchurch had hindered rather than helped the police. "I am not going- to fake back what I said," declared the Minister. , . Mr. E. J. Howard (Labour—Christchurch South) said that surely tho Minister did not suggest that the Mayor of Christchurch dashed away from a social evening, stacked his furniture up, set fire to it, and then stolo his own money. (Laughter.) _ There was no doubt that, an incendianst was at_ work. Mr. Wilford said both the superintendent of police and tho inspoctor in Christchurch had reported to the commissioner that the newspapers had hindered the police in their operations. Mr Howard: In what way? Tho Minister: Tho newspapers are not helping tho police in their detection of crime. _ .. .. Mr. Howard: I do not believe it.

THEFTS OF SHEEP.

MANY CASES IN DOMINION.

A "MASTER MIND" SUSPECTED.

[BT TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Friday.

"Thero is a great deal of sheep stealing going on in different parts of the country at present, and farmers know it is hopeless to expect convictions," said Mr. W. J. Poison (Independent —Stratford), in the House to-day.

Mr. Poison suggested that a step toward eliminating the trouble would be the appointment of a special officer, who had a knowledge of stock and who could regularly patrol tho roads by car. At the present time farmers in both islands were regularly losing considerable numbers of stock through the activities of sheep stealers Replying, the Minister in charge of the Police Department, tho Hon. T. M. Wilford. expressed tho opinion that a key or "master" thief was at work, and if he were apprehended tho trouble would practically cease. Voices: No. . ** Tho Minister said he believed a big man was operating. In regard to offences in tho Manawatu, the police had evidence thafc the sheep were removed long distances by motor vehicle.

MENTAL HOSPITALS.

RELIEF- OF OVERCROWDING.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL RErORTEB.] "WELLINGTON. Friday.

An announcement was made by the Minister in charge of the Mental Hospital Department, tho Hon. A. J. Stallworthy, in the House to-day that in a few days a bill would bo introduced to give relief to overcrowding in mental hospitals. "Tho rneasuro will enable infirm cases to bo removed and placed in other institutions, where they will have greater freedom,*' he said.