PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2244, 16 July 1908, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. AFTERNOON SITTING. [Press Association.] WELLINGTON, July 15. :•: The Legislative Council met- at. 2,30 p.m. The Attorney-General, in reply to Hon. W. W. AlcArdle, said lie would bring under the notice of tho Finance Minister the question that no provision for advances under the Advances to Settlers Act had been made for taking lip lands under private contracts with natives and other land owners.

Hoii. AlcCardle mentioned that in the King Country alone there were 200,000 acres so affected.

Tho Incorporated Societies Bill, the New Zealand Accountants Bill, and the Aleiklo Acquittal Bill were rend a second time.

In referring to the'latter Bill, lion. J. E. Jenkinson mentioned the Invercargill case in which a man was recently sentenced at tho Supreme Court to three months’ imprisonment for altering a certificate to enable Liin to obtain work, and lie thought the Government, in considering petitions oil the matter, might- have allowed the man to go free.

The Attorney-General, in reply, said that tlie most careful consideration had been given to the case by tho Government, and if the Hon. Jenkinson was aware of all the circumstances he would not ask .this or any other Government to release the man. In the interest of the man concerned he did not think it prudentto produce the papers in the case, hut would do so if desired.

The Council adjourned at 3.15 p.m

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.30 p.m. ‘ An offer of a portrait of the late Sir John Hall was, on the motion of the Premier, accepted with pleasure. Some dissatisfaction was expressed at the explanation of the Official Assignee in Wellington why he refused to allow a Hebrew to take an oath with liis hat- on, and members insisted that public officials should disjilay courtesy towards the public. The Premier read a cable showing that the demand for wool was keen and prices were rising at the London sales. General satisfaction was expressed by members. In reply to questions, Alinisters stated that the Government were not aware that the rumors that, it was intended to increase the Government .fire insurance rates were well, founded. The Government, however, had fleen advised that the present rates wero probably too low to meet the risks run, but tho matter had not vet been considered. The Government- intended to amend the Afuii’.cip.al Corporations Act, 1900, to enable Borough Councils owning and working gas works to sell coal to their burgesses and others, hut ' whether this would he dono this session depended upon the progress of public business. The Government were Unaware that tho Chief Justice proposes to visit America arid Great Britain next vear. Even so. advantage could not he taken of such a visit for him to represent tho Dominion at the Canadian celebrations, as these celebrations take place this month. So far as the Government's lending departments were concerned, they have not- refused to grant a bonus upon lands that the owners have been granted petroleum rights over. The scale of duties payable under the Deceased Persons Estate Dutios Act is fixed by Statute, and it is not the present intention of . the Government to introduce legislation to alter the existing law. . ’Hie Government do not propose to make provision in the Old Age Pensions Act for the payment of pensions to persons who are incapacitated from work by accident or permanent illness without requiring them to wait Until they attain the ago of 65. The Act in force in tho Dominion is tho most liberal of the various measures in Australasia. The Government could not agree to the free carriage on the railways for agricultural salt. Everything possible was being done in constructing rolling stock to meet the demands anticipated upon the completion of the North Island Main Trunk railway. Tlie Government could not grant return tickets at single rates to farmers and others -travelling to market on market days. In past years, special concessions similar to that suggested wore introduced, and had been so grossly abused that they had to he discontinued. -With a view to reducing the risks incurred by railway officials in changing tablets, automatic tablet exchangers wore being installed. Special cars reserved for the use of ladies on tlie railways were not appreciated. The ’modern carriages are amply provided with lavatory accommodation. The potentialities of the field of anthracite coal lying between Charleston and Fox’s river were recognised, and it was intended to have a detailed geographical purvey made. Tlio- area had been reserved from lea-so or sale. There was no probability of tho patents laws being revised this session. Tlie Bill to make it- compulsory for mine owners to provide proper accommodation for employees would involve a drastic alteration of the law and could not be brought down this session. The Government was not aware that Australian flour was arriving in sacks bearing tho name and brand of the New Zealand flourmillers, but the Customs officers had been instructed to look out for such cases. The municipal fish markets would probably meet- tho requirement's of fishermen than clearing markets established by the Government. A Bill was now under consideration for the purposo of dealing with shoddy goods, and would deal with branding. The Government conk] not introduce legislation to provide for .tlie payment to local bodies of half the royalties collected from the salo of timber from State forests. The revenue therefrom was tlio only source from which operations of the Afforestation Departments wero - maintained.' The matter of amending the Noxious "Weeds. Act was under oonskteration. Inquiries wore being made regarding the advisability of importing owls and other birds of prey to put- down the-small bird pest-. Tlie Government considered it was almost impossible to organise the four thousand coutingonters who served in South Africa into separate battalions, as they were "scattered all over tlio .Dominion. The general issue of ‘ tonographical war maps to volunteers was not considered -advisable. The Poisons Bill, doaling, amongst other things, with* the sale

of oldorodyiiq, would shortly bo introTho remainder of "the afternoon was occupied criticising replies. EVENING SITTING. At 7.3tf p.m. Sir. C. SI. Gray resumed tho debate on tho Fimiiic.ml Statement, reviewing tho progress or the public works policy since tho days of Sir Julius Vogel, and tho development of tho Dominion for the •pastthirty years. He advocated the utilisation of tho water power resources of tho colony, and ho thought the beginning should ho made with the electrification of tho Christchurch■Lyttelton railway. Ho did not favor water-power being disposed of to private persons, but could seo no reason to object- to municipal and local bodies being permitted to use it. In concluding, lie congratulated the Government on the high prosperous state of tho Dominion. Mr. A. S. Malcolm thought tho Government deserved some of the credit for tho prosperous condition of the. colony, hut they were too anxious to take upon themselves tho wliolo credit-. Ho favored an increase of tho naval subsidy, moro encouragement for volunteors and greater facilities for land settlement than tiro at present being offered. Ho thought the Government should have outlined the scheme on which £250,000 is- to he expended on roads. Ho thought the invitation ,to the American fleet to visit our waters was indiscreet, as the cost, which lie put down at £IO,OOO, could have boon more profitably expoiuled. Tlie issue of Dominion medals to school children and the exhibition organ for phristchurcli were waste money. He d I "-red that the taxation per head oi tlio people had increased £l2 in the past ten years. The population was not increasing at the rate it should, and that- matter 'required tho earnest consideration of Parliament. Possibly, lie thought the fault anight lay at the door of tho women who wore now ill ore and more drawn away from domestic duties. ‘-Mr. G. Witty continued tho debate, urging great caution under the new land settlements proposals by which a settler could borrow all money required for the purchase of land. Ho thought tlio.v should put 10 per cent down in cash.

Alter supper, Mr. Witty, continuing, said that the professional agitator in the labor world was not required, and ought to be turned out. Mr. F. Marnier approved of tho reading policy of the Government, and appealed for the development of the north of Auckland. Continuing, Mr. Mander complained of tho policy ■Of forcing up land valuations, and said the Government wero not" as much the friends of the farmers as tlio.v pretended. To ponulato the north, the freehold must he granted. Ho supported national annuities., and advocated a third increase on the necessaries of life and a two-thirds increase on the luxuries of life to provide pensions of 7s to 10s a week. Tho best class of immigrants should be encouraged; but the freehold iiilist be given to them. He opposed the co-operative labor system as unsatisfactory. Mr. C. 11. Izard said tlie Ministers must visit all. parts of tho Dominion in the recess. The result of tho Premier’s visits was tho reading proposals of the Budget. The progress of the country since the Liberals came in was undoubted. Mr. Izard defended tlie land policy of tlie Government, and _ expressed approval of the proposed increase of the naval subsidy.

On tlio motion of Mr. D. Reid, jun, the debate was adjourned. The House rose at 11.40 p.m.