POLITICAL NOTES

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11933, 13 September 1924, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES

PRESS GALLERY HEWS CHRISTCHURCH NORTH SEAT “LABOUR HASN’T A HOPE.” In the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon, Mr J. A. Lee (Auc - land East) gave notice to ask the Prime Minister whether he had .seen i paragraph in a Christchurch paper inerting that the lion member for O'hrfstchurch North (Mr h. **• _*“**> should resign on account of the failure sf the Government to put m hand the slectrification of the Lyttelton tunnel, seek re-election, and be returned triumphantly and untrammelled so far as the Government was concerned. It so. would the Prime Minister persuade Mr Isitt to take the course suggested, «o that Labour could win the seat, (laughter.) The Prime Minister: I think a question such as that should either not he asked or should be answered at the time. I have seen the paragraph referred to, and X don’t think it worthy of notice. I know perfectly well that Mr Isitt will hold his seat as long as he cares to retain it; and I don’t think that Labour has a hope. (Laughter.) WORK OF SESSION LARGE AMOUNT OF IMPORTANT BUSINESS NEXT WEEK. Replying in tbs House of Representatives yesterday to a question by Mr H. Atmore (Nelson) as to when the second reading of the Oawthron Trust Bill would be taken, the Prime Minister said that he could not be quite certain. He would have to consult the Minister in charge of the hill. Mr Atmore: Can you make it later than nest Tuesday? The Prime Minister: I hardly think it possible to take it early next week, because there is a large amount of imIMrtant business to be got through. Possibly about the end of next week, probably next Thursday, it may be taken. Mr Atmore: Can you say for certain that it won’t be on Tuesday next? Mr Massey: It won’t be Tuesday. THE ALL BLACKS CIRCULATION OF RESULTS. The Postmaster-General stated in the House yesterday that arrangements had been made for the general immediate circulation of the result of the All Black match, which is to be played in England to-day, and of subsequent All Black matches. [The result will be displayed outside the “New- Zealand Times” office as soon.as the cable is received.] TEACHERS’ GRADING SCHEME CHALLENGE TO MINISTER. The much-discussed grading scheme for teachers was the subject of a challenge in the House last night when Mr H. E. Holland (Leader of the Labour Party) asked the Hon. C. J. Parr (Minister tor Education) whether he could explain it. Mr Parr: The head of the department could in a few minutes. Mr Holland: I am sure he could, because he understands it. Mr Parr: Why cannot yqu ? Mr Holland: For the same reason that you cannot. (Laughter.) And perhaps for a better reason, because I have not had it in my possession so long as the Minister; nor have I had the advantage of the guidance of the head of the department. If the Min ister thanks he can explain the) scheme, let him do so now. But he knows he could not do it, and it is not reasonable to expect him to do it; nor is it reasonable to expect the (average teacher to be able to do it. (Hear, hear and laughter.) Mr P. Fraser (Wellington Central) said the grading scheme was so difficult and intricate that ho thought it might ho made subject of a final examination for training college students after they had passed the last of their present examinations. Jf they could give a lucid explanation of the scheme they would be fit for any position in the country, even that of the Ministerial head of the Education Department. (Laughter.) He was cure Mr Parr could not give an intelligent explanation of the scheme, and it was questionable if any three officers of his department could do so. (Laughter.)