POLITICAL NOTES

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIV, Issue 14521, 17 August 1911, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES

TRANSFER OF TEACHERS,

(From Our Special Coneapondont.) WEBLINGTON, Aug.* IG. Teacherß in the schools of tho Dominion are desirous of securing a ""ight of appeal against transfers by Education Boards. The Minister adapts that there is Bome doubt about the legal position, and ho proposes to introduce legislation clearly defining the right of appeal allowed under section 206 of the Education Act. BREVITIES. A report on- tho medical examinations held under the Defence Act will be prepared by the Director of the Medical Service as soon as possible after the examination is' completed. A rearrangement of the primary school syllabus, following generally tho lines suggested at tho last confero >oe of Inspectors, is being made. It is not intended, states tho Acting Minister of Justice, to introduce legislation providing an appeal board for the police force.

GOODS SHED AT SUTHERLANDS. Mr Millar Btatod, in reply to Mr Buxton, "Tho question of ejecting a goods Blied was investigated last year, and I again looked into the matter when arranging the programme of works to be undertaken this year. Tl» data obtained indicated that there was no urgent necessity for the provision i 8 i *" at the Present time. I shall be glad to give the matter fur thor consideration when a favourable opportunity arises." WATHAO BRANCH LINE. In reply to Sir W. J. Steward's suggestion of an extenson of the WaimateWaihao, Downs lino from its profit terminus at the Downs through ibe Douglas Settlement to Kolcher's, *1 c Hon. R. McKenzio stated:—" A Railway Authorisation Bill will probably bo introduced this I am at present, however, unable to state what railways will be authorised, as the question has not yet been considered j by the Government."

CASUAL RAILWAY HANDS. Mr Nosworthy, having referred to a promise made by Sir • W. Hall-Jones that casual hands on the railways who had had continuous service without « break for five years, should he placed on the permanent list, the Uoa. J. A Millar stated that all casuals who wv*re eligible under the railway regulations had been put on the permanent •dafl irom time to time as opportunity offered. If it waa to be established ns a principle that all casuals must bs put on the permanent staff, then the department would have to adopt (he hard and fast rule of rejecting for casual employment • every person who failed to come up to tho regulation requirements in respect to cither age, height, education qualifications, etc., and a practice such as that would inflict very great hardship on a considerable number of men and their wives and families.

AUSTRALIAN PRODUCE TARIFF. Hon. It. McKenzie, replying to Mr Buxton's suggestion that the Government should endeavour to equalise the' tariffs between Australia and NewZealand on agricultural produce, stated that the revision of tho tariff for the purpose stated will not be dealt with this session, but the auestion of an adjustment of tlie existing tariff between this Dominion and tlie Commonwealth of Australia will bo considered with a view of entering into negotiations with the Commonwealth Government during tho coming recess.