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Opposition Applies Spur. . Certain phases of the Legisla- ture's business have been lagging too much to suit the Opposition. With the end of the session a week away, and the knowledge that it in- formation they have asked for is not forthcoming at once it will be of little use to them ween the Gov- w'nment does bring it down. Mr. xvilliam Proudfoot, ICC., the Liberal Leader, before the orders of the day were called, drew the attention of the Attorney-General to the fact that a number of resolutions were still standing on the order paper; also that a number of promised re- turns had not been brought down. Mr. H. Hartley Dewart, K.C., back- ed him up in this, by inquiring for certain information he had request- ed some time ago. The Ministers promised to hurry the information along. __--- -- - -- _ With the exception of the debate on this one bill there was no pro- longed discussion yesterday. It was a day of hard work. In the ab- sence of the Prime Minister, Sir William Hearst, who was slightly indisposed, the Attorney-General, Hon. L B. Lucas, led the House. He succeeded in getting a large num- her of measures advanced a stage. Several Government bills were passed through committee after but a short discussion. and a. number of others were given second reading. Hon. Mr. Macdiarmid's bill to amend the Ontario Highways Act brought forward the suggestion from Mr. J. C. Elliott (West Mid- diesex) that the Government should share forty per cent. of the cost of maintaining a county road. Under the present act the Government con- tributes forty per cent. to the cost of construction of roads in county systems and twenty per cent. of the cost of maintenance. The Minister agreed there was some merit for the suggestion and will take the matter under advisement. Hon. Dr. Cody's hilt to change the method of enforcing attendance in the elementary schools of On- tario had a rough passage in com- mittee in the Legislature yesterday. All measures that affect the edu- cation ot the children are watched very closely. 1Vhile this particular bill had not generally been looked upon as one which would cause any prolonged debate. a tempest blew up rapidly when the Labor member, Mr. Allan Studhoime of East Hamilton, moved a resolution, while the House was in committee, proposing to raise the compulsory school age from fourteen to sixteen. The Min- ister of Education refused to have anything to do with the amendment. He said that the question raised by the East Hamilton member was not covered by the School Attendance Bill, but by the Adolescent School Age Bill, which might be brought down at this session. Before the de- bate concluded halt a dozen mem- bers took part in it, and the House had divided on Mr. Studholme's amendment, and also on an amend- ment by Mr. Sam Carter of South Wellington, proposing to raise the age to tifteen years. Only the mov- ers of the amendments supported them when the vote was taken. Allan Studholme Starts Rumpus by Propbsal to Raise CoApuuorr At- tendance Nre--oppossr. tion Members Clash NEW SCHOOL BILL STORM CENTRE IN LEGISLATURE MP. William McDonald, the North JTlpAr, APRIL ll. 1919.' The storm over clauses of the School Attendance Act was between members of the Opposition, Mr. Studholme and the Minister of Edn- "ation, but. chiefly between the. former. The Labor member object- ed to the school age being fourteen when the bill was given its second reading on Wednesday. Norwitn- standing the explanation of Dr, Cody at that time he put up a strenuous light yesterday to Iii-event tho vlause being passed without amendment. But he fought an almost lone 'itil/f, When he could not get his amen ". ment accepted at once. he asked tha: the clause be allowed to stand oven, pending the bringing down ot the Adolescent School Attendance Act, which the Minister had referred to. He was backed up in this by Mt.. Carter and Mr. Dewart: _ _ . The Provincial Secretary said that the whole subject was one that required most careful consideration. The session was too tar advanced to permit of the matter being given the attention that it required. Just before Mr. McDonald withdrew the bill, however, he secured a prom- ise from the Attorney-General that when the reduction in the number of Judges was being made the reduction of county jails would also; be considered. I Mr. J. C. Elliott pointed out that under a clause of the act it is pos- sible if for a period of two years there are only an average of tour persons in a Jail to secure permis- sxon from the Lieutenant-Governor in Council to permit of an agree- ment being made with another 2Ot.'ti- ty to care for those prisoners. He suggested that the number be raised to partially meet with Mr. McDon- ald's objection. May Reduce County Jails. Mr. Proudfoot supported Mr. Mc- Donald in his plea for economy. He recognized that it was a dlmcult problem, but the bill to reduce the number of Judges showed that the Government was considering the matter. Bruce Liberal, urged upon the Gov- ernment the importance of practis- ing economy by consolidating the county Jails. He had a bill before this House proposing the necessary amendments to the act, but after achieving his purpose of .;ringing the matter to the attention of the Ministers. he accepted the I'rovin- cial Secretary's suggestion and with- drew it. Mr. McDonald pointed out that there are some jails. accord- ing to the Government report, in which only one or two prisoners were being detained at the end of 1017. There were consolidated schools, the number of County Judges was being reduced. and it was only right that one county should be allowed to make a.n agree- ment with another county, if it so desired, to have the other coun- ty look after its prisoners. Mr. Carter declared that what he wanted was the curriculum ot the elementary 'schools pulled up by the roots and changed so as to give children a better education up to sixteen years in such institutions. Dr. Cody pointed out that raising the age to sixteen was dealt with under the Adolescent School Age Act. and not by the bill under discussion. Questioned by Major J. C. Tolmie (Windsor) as to whether the act mentioned contemplated making at- tendance at school compulsory up to the age of sixteen. the Minister stated that the proposed bill had been drafted. He admitted he had in view making attendance compul- sory up to sixteen years of age, and part time education between six-teen and eighteen. ' Mr. Thomas Marshall (Lincoln), the recognized educational critic of the Opposition, did not see any object in pressing the question raised by Mr. Studholme at that time. The Minister had promised the matter would be dealt with under the pro- posed bill, and that ought to be suf- ficient. Mr. William McDonald Join- ed him in this. He could see no use