PARLIAMENTARY NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18467, 31 January 1922, Page 8

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS

NOTES FROM THE PRESS GALLERY. (Fbom Obb Own Corbesponbent.) WELLINGTON, January 50. THE LIFE OF PARLIAMENT. Referring to letters that had appeared recently in the public press, as to the desirability of lengthening the life of Now Zealand Parliaments, Mr Holland to-day asked the Prime Minister if he would give an assurance that there would be no attempt next session, to force a Bill through prolonging the life of the present Parliament. The question wills received with some laughter Mr Massey assured the Hon. gentleman that the Government had not given the idea any consideration. What the Government would do between now and next session be could not' say, but he did not think the hon. member need bo seriously alarmed. TEACHERS’ SUPERANNUATION. Mr E. Kollctt ,(Dunedin North) drew attention in the House of Representatives to day to the anomaly that exists ip connection with teachers’ superannuation. The two years that teachers served in the training colleges were not allowed to count. The Hon. C. J. Parr replied that this and other anomalies existed, and required correction by legislation. Clauses were being drafted to that end, but there was very little prospect of their getting a Superannuation Bill through this session. He thought, however, that the matter was of sufficient importance to warrant the incorporation of the proposed amendment in the Finance Bill, and he was taking steps which ho hoped would be successful in that direction. LABOUR IN COAL MINES. In the House to-day Mr Holland drew attention to the attitude taken up by the owners of the Shag Point mine (Otago) regarding the employment of miners. He said they had refused to allow the miners to cull out men, and insisted on their own right to select the men who should work in the mine. Under this plan a system of deliberate victimisation was being resorted- to. The Hon. G. J. Anderson said he would haye inquiries made as to what the position was. He would ask his departmental officers to report. CARRIAGE OF COAL. Mr J. Edie asked a question in the House this afternoon about the increased rate being charged or. the railways for the carriage, of Kaitangata coal. It waS, he said. Is a ton. The .Hon., D. H. Guthrie said the department considered the charge was areasonable one.