POLITICAL NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11756, 21 July 1916, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

[Fiiom Ocn Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, July 20. FREEZING COMPANIES AND WAR PROFITS. In reply to Mr Hunter, who asked if the Minister of Finance would favourably consider tho question of making a concession in the amount of excess profits payable by freezing companies which recently started operations, Sir Joseph Ward stated to-day that freezing companies will be accorded the same treatment as other taxpayers who have recently commenced operations. No separate special concession can be granted to them. SOLDIERS' CHILDREN. A request that, sons and daughters of soldiers should be given preference in the Civil Service was answered by tho Minister of Internal Affairs, who said that the Public Service Commissioner advises that special consideration is given to all applications received from dependents of New Zealand soldiers who arc serving with the Expeditionary Forces. Many such are now employed in the Public Service. HELPING INEXPERIENCED TEACHERS. • Dealing with a suggestion by Mr J. C. Thomson, that inspectors .should be advised to devote a portion of their time to tho work of giving practical denmn.stratio.ns in teaching in the smaller schools, which are in many cases in charge of inexperienced teachers, the Minister of Education replied :—This is the usual policy, while in two districts a special organising inspector was some years ago appointed to give close persona) attention to small schools only, and in a third, when an additional inspector was appointed, be was specially deputed to. attend this work. I regret that the policy of amalgamating small schools has not been applied by Education Boards. If this were done there would be fewer inefficient schools and uncertificated teachers, and there would be better staffs and equipment, while the inspectors could devote more time to each of the smaller numbei of schools. Such a system would result in a much higher standard of education being pro-'.ded for children in scattered districts. DISCHARGED SOLDIERS' KITS. In answer to a question from Mr Payne to-day, the Defence Minister sia'tcd that returned soldiers are allowed to retain their uniforms on discharge. Soldiers discharged from camp are not kept on t'nll pay till such time as they have earned enough soldiers' pay to pay for missing articles in their kits, but their discharge certificates aw not given to them till their kits arc completely returned or paid for,