GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CI, Issue 15395, 11 July 1914, Page 9

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

QUESTIONS AND LOCAL BILLS. (Per Press Association.) "WELLINGTON, Julv 10. "When the House met at 2.30 p.m. t'lio Speaker announced that he had presented the Address-in-Reply to his Excellency the Governor. Seventeen petitions against a. Bible-in-Sehonls referendum were presented. On the request of Mr Hunter, the second reading of his Gam:ng Amendment Bill v.-as nostponed to August oih. "■ A Christchurch Drainage Bill (Mr Davie), and a Bill amending the Arbitration Act (Mi-v. Hindmarsh), were read a first t:"me. POLICE. PAY. Reports on the Public Trust Office and tCie Police Force were presented. On the latter Mr Russell objected to the Government raising the pay of policemen without ' consulting Parliament. He did not object to the increase,, but to the way it was done. The Minister (Mr Herdman) said it had been done constitutionally. Ho found it necessary to increase the pay to get the best men. The remainder of.the afternoon was spent in discussing answers to questions. At the CTcning sitting the usual sess:ohai committees were set up. EDUCATIONAL. In renly to Mr Sidey, the Miuister for Education said the' Education Bill would be brought down within a. fortnight, and would bo referred to the Education Committee. The Hon. Jas- Allen moved _the second reading of tho Victoria College BKJ, the chief purpose of- which is to alter the constitution of Ijhe Board of Governors, by eliminating Members of Parliament, and granting representation to fr!io Professors, the CJty Council and secondary and public school teachers. A long discussion ensued, it being suggested that commerce, and agriculture, and places at a distance, should also be represented, and the various constitutions of other Boards and their financial arrangements came under review. In replying Mr Allen said he hoped to give Parliament an opportunity to consider the question of iinanCe. The second reading was carried on the voices, and tho House rose at 11.5 p.m.