DIRECTOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3099, 6 August 1913, Page 8

DIRECTOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION.

COMMITTEE OF INVESTIGATION. £Frou Ocr Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, The appointment of Mr Royd Garlick as Director of Physical Education was again under discussion to-day. Mr Russell asked the Minister of Education whether he was aware that Mr Royd Garlick, who has for a considerable period held an appointment at £6OO per year under the Government, was still advertising himself in the Wellington tramcars “for physical culture and the curing of deformities ” at an address in Wellington, and, if so, was this being done with the approval of the Minister? The Hon. Mr Allen (Minister of Education) replied that the terms of Mr Garlick’s engagement specified that he was not to engage in any other occupation than that of his office, and, generally, he was bound by the regulations of the public service A school of physical culture called “the Royd Garlick School was still carried on, but it was under the sole direction and management of Mrs Royd Garlick. There was an old advertisement (under a yearly contract) not yet obliterated in two of the Wellington tramcars, but instructions had been given to have this altered. All the new advertisements were framed in accordance with what was stated The intention of the Government to take action was indicated by the Hon. Mr Herdman giving notice to move—“ That the statements made in Parliament by the hon. members for Hntt, Invercargill, Hurunui, and Lyttelton respectively and appearing in Hansard, with reference to the appoirtment of the Director of Physical Education, be referred to a select committee for inquiry, the committee to have power to cull for persons and papers and to report to the House within 14 days, the committee to consist of Messrs Guthrie, Malcolm. E. Newman, Poland. Sidey, Statham, J. C. Thomson, G. M. Thomson, Veitch, and the mover.” In speaking on the Imprest Supply Bill Mr Russell again reverted to this subject, and contrasted the salary paid to Mr Garlick with the sums paid to a number of civil servants who were heads of departments The appointment, lie said, was absolutely indefensible. Mr Nosworthy: You wait and see. When Mr Massey was speaking he said that he had had nothing to do with the appointment. He would not know Mr Garlick if he saw him, but his appointment would be completely justified. A full reply would he given to all criticism. In speaking after midnight the Hon. James Allen replied in vigorous fashion to the criticisms made upon the appointment of Mr Garlick. The reason why he had not granted access to the files was that they contained private and confidential papers. Everything would be laid before the committee to be appointed ami there thrashed out. Now, he said, it was about time he had a word to say about these charges. Some members had said that Mr Garlick was appointed because he was a personal friend of his (Mr Allen’s). He denied that charge absolutely. He never knew Mr Garlick until he asked him to join a committee of consultation. He never knew him, never met him, never corresponded with him till then. This charge would be exposed, and the member making it would have to eat the leek. It was also alleged that this was a political appointment. That was equally false, and would bo thoroughly inquired into. Those members who made this charge would then have to apologise. The third charge was that the appointment was extravagant’ and had not been advertised. As Minister of Education he considered the appointment had immediately to be made and he decided not to advertise. Jf he had advertised he would have had to advertise in England, and there was not time for that. He took all responsibility for the appointment. A Minister must exorcise Iris discretion. He could have advertised aSid then appoint this man. Would that have been honourable? No. This man, further, was more than a drill expert. He would be in charge of a great department which was required to do a great deal of work in New Zealand He was capable of dealing with all the special cares, and in a few years everybody in the community would realise how much valuable work had been done to place the children in a sound physical condition. The salary was not extravagant for the work COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY SET UP. (From Orn Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON. July 31. When Mr Herdman moved that a select committee be appointed to inquire into -the charges in connection wills the appointment of Mr Garlick as head of the gymnastic department. Mr Wilford immediately made a speech with the object of asking if the Government would pay the expenses of witnesses. He also took objection to the constitution of the committee. This lend was eagerly followed by Opposition members, and an attack was organised which gradually assumed the dimensions of a stonewall. Messrs Hanan, Russell, Tsitt, Laurenson, and Atmore spoke in strong condemnatory terms. Mr Malcolm, whose name was on the committee, asked that he should be excused. This was agreed to by the mover, and the name of Mr Scott was substituted. When Mr Atmore rose to speak he crystallised the objections of the Opposition, and lifted the discussion on to the plane of a direct party conflict by moving 'an amendment. He first of all moved that the name of Mr Guthrie (senior Government Whip) he deleted and that of Mr J. Buxton substituted. As, however, Mr Guthrie’s name came before that of Mr Malcolm’s, which had

already been altered, tlie Speaker ruled that this proposal could not be accepted. Mr At more then carried the assault even closer to the Ministerial camp by moving that the name of the mover (Mr Herdman) be deleted. Mr Nos worthy (junior Government Whip) broke new ground by reminding the Opposition member's that their party had appointed an Undersecretary of Internal Affairs over the heads of public servants in that department. This appointment was at least no worse than that. This brought Mr Russell to his feet in defence of the Ward Government. He paid a tribute to the efficiency of the gentleman in question, and said that the present Government had given its imprimatenr to the appointment by giving him, in conjunction with Mr B. Wilson, charge of the arrangements in connection with the visit of H.M.S. New Zealand. Mr Massey; Both very good men.— (“Hear, hear.”) After several hours had been wasted on the discussion the Prime Minister took a hand. He intimated that the press would be admitted to the sittings of the committee. Mr Forbes: Will you pay expenses as well ? Mr Massey said the hon. member was very unfortunate in this interjection, because it reminded him of the Hine inquiry and the circumstances attending it. Did they not remember that Mr Hine in that inquiry not only paid his own witnesses’ expenses but also his own law costs, hut tlje Government of the day paid the expenses of its witnesses, and, moreover, paid legal expenses as well, and one firm alone, he recollected, received over £6OO for expenses? In concluding, Mr Massey said he was sure the country would approve of the action of the Minister of Education in this matter. Immediately after the supper adjournment the matter was settled by a trial of strength. The result was a foregone conclusion, but was useful as showing the solid majority of the Government. The amendment was rejected bv 36 votes to •20. \ A generous offer by Mr Herdman followed the division. Tie offered to increase the committee to 11 and add the name of the Hon. J. A. Millar, who was known to be a fair man. Mr Russell thankfully accepted this offer, and the committee was altered as suggested. Thus ended a discussion which had wasted over three valuable working hours.