EDUCATION PORTFOLIO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21344, 19 November 1932, Page 13

EDUCATION PORTFOLIO

MINISTER IN COUNCIL SOME MEMBERS COMPLAIN REJECTION OF AMENDMENT [BY TELEGRAM —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Friday An amendment to reduce the Education vote by £lO, as an indication that the portfolio of Education should he held in the Elective Chamber, was moved by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. H. E. Holland, in the House to-day. Mr. Holland said lie was not making an attack on the Hon. R. Masters, for whom he had every respect, but it must be recognised that members were at a distinct disadvantage when considering the Education Estimates if the Minister of Education was not present to answer criticism and supply information. Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (Government —Riccarton) supported the view expressed by Mr. Holland and said he regarded the appointment of a member of the Legislative Council to the office of Minister of Education as an insult to members of the Lower House. There were two ex-Min-isters of Education in the House of Representatives, as well as a number of others who had considerable experience in educational matters.

Mr. A. M. Samuel (GovernmentThames) also voiced support and said the portfolio should be held by who was responsible not only to his own constituents, but also to tho members of the Elective Chamber.

The Prime Minister, Mr. Forbes, said it was for the Prime Minister to select members of the Cabinet. Ho had chosen Mr. Masters as Minister of Education because of his great experience in connection with primary education. If the amendment were carried, he would have no other course than to accept it as a vote of noconfidence in himself and the Government. He did not think any member had suffered as a result of the Minister of Education not being in the Elective Chamber. Mr. E. J. Howard (Labour —Christchurch South) said the Prime Minister's attitude exemplified the uselessness of endeavouring to obtain a free expression of opinion from members of the House on any subject. Education had always been regarded as a non-party subject, but the Prime Minister insisted on treating the matter as one of confidence in the Government. At a time like the present, when education from kindergarten to college was being subjected to attack, it was important that the Minister should be in the House to answer the representations of members of Parliament. The amendment was rejected by 34 votes to 24. Labour members and Messrs. Kyle, Samuel, Stall worthy and Tirikatene voted for the amendment. JUDICIAL REPORTS THE GOVERNMENT'S BILL DISPLACES PRIVATE MEASURE [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Friday The Statutes Revision Committee, reporting to the House to-day on Mr. P. Eraser's Judicial Proceedings (Regulation of Reports) Bill, recommended that as the Government had introduce* legislation on similar lines, the bill should not be allowed to proceed. TRAINING COLLEGES PROTEST AGAINST CLOSING DEFEAT OF AMENDMENT [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] "WELLINGTON, FWday As a protest against the closing of the training colleges at Wellington and Dunedin. Mr. F. Jones (Labour— Dunedin South) moved to reduce the vote of the Education Department by £9 in tho House of Representatives to-day. Mr. Jones said the estimated saving by closing theso two colleges was £14,000, whereas the Otago Education Board had submitted a scheme whereby it would be possible to save £17,000 and still keep the four colleges open. The amendment was defeated by 36 votes to 24. Mr. J. A. Macpherson (Government —Oamaru), Mr. E. T. Tirikatene (Independent—Southern Maori) and Mr. R. A. Wright (Government— Wellington Suburbs) joined Labour members in supporting it.