POLITICAL NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10515, 25 July 1910, Page 1

POLITICAL NEWS.

By Telegraph. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, July 23. ; —Big Examinations. — The annual examinations conducted by the Education Department as a test for national scholarships, civil service, and the teaching profession have reached tremendous proportions. In five years, the. number of candidates has risen from 2985 to 6308 last year, when the various examinations attracted candidates in the following proportions: Junior national and free places and Education Board scholarships, 2214; Civil Service junior, senior free places, Education Board senior scholarships, and first'pupil teachers', 2639; teachers' C and D, 1482; Civil Service senior, 443. : Examination ; fees amounted to £3657 last year, and the expenses of the examinations, apart from printing and clerical work; cost £4931. ; —Banking Legislation.— :

i The Committee of members formed last session as a result of Mr H.- 0. Ell's efforts to obtain amendments in the banking legislation-will sooivresume iis activities. A meeting will take place ai> ■an early date, and a 'deputation to £lie> Prime Minister will no doubt follow. ; The main objectives are the liniitiatiori of the Bank of New Zealand dividend and, an increase in the State's interest in that concern. The lastrianied question is becoming more important, because- "the Government's million guarantee loan to the Bank will mature.in 1914. •