PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2250, 23 July 1908, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

AFTERNOON BITTING

[Press Association.] WELLINGTON, July 22. The Legislative Council met at —oU * > . 1 lon. W. W. McArdlo’s motion that the attention of the Government be called to the long delay in extending relief to the number ot settlors who mot with heavy losses through the groat tires that swept a .largo portion of the newly-settled King Country was carried. The Inferior Courts Procedure Bill, Acts Interpretation Amendment Bill, and Town Boards Amendment Bill were passed through the final stages. The Incorporated Societies Bill and the Law Practitioners Amendment Bill were postponed until next sitting day, and tho Now Zealand Society or Accountants Bill until Wednesday. With respect to the Law Practitioners Amendment. Bill, the Attor-ney-General stated that ho had requests from a number of law students that their positions bo more clearly defined, anil ho desired to consider the question. On rising, the Council adjourned until Tuesday afternoon next. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

AFTERNOON SITTING

The House met at 2.30 p.m

Replying to questions, the Government said it could not see its way to increase tho amount usually voted for the Salvation Army; a Model Bylaws Bill will be introduced this session ; that instructions had been given to connoet the Great Barrier Island and Auckland by cable, and tho work would be put in hand on the arrival of tho material; that thoro is no objection to leases of native lands from Maoris, approved and endorsed by the Maori Land Boards, being made a class of security for loans from the advances to Bottlers office, provided such leases contain conditions similar to those in leases from the Crown in respect to right of renewal, compensation for improvements, and conditions of forfeiture; that in tho amendment to the Electoral Act. a new form of’ ballot paper is provided for with, one black corner, so as to put beyond all question the secrecy of tlio ballot in this respect; that there is no necessitv for special carriages for ladies travelling with young ladies; that in the interests of public safety it could not grant a half-holiday to surface laborers on the ' Government railways; that the main object- of providing the quickest and most reliable means of communication for passengers and mails on the North Island Trunk line could not be subordinated to the tourists, the time-table mentioned in the Railways Statement issued last week provided the best possible service for the people; that it could not .issue free railway tickets to children under lo travelling to school or work; that it was not desirable to formulate, a scheme to render assistance to natives living abroad who may desire to return to the Dominion ;that until the British-born subjects fails to give satisfaction it wa-s not. necessary to attract immigrants from Germany and other countries; that it was not intended to make the provisions of the Shearers’ Accommodation Bill apply to sheds where less than six-shearers we're engaged; that it coukl not abolish the duty on millet and sorghum seed ; that there was no intention to amend tho Land Act this session; that an endeavor would be made to introduce a better system of slieepmarking in order to assist the prevention of slieep-stealing; that, the Government proposals regarding the superannuation to teachers and also the appointment of members to Hospital and' Charitable Aid Boards •would bo included in a Bill to be brought down; that here was no intention to introduce legislation dealing with university questions; that' it was not intended to amend the Vaccination. Act this session.

The Financial Debate was resumed by Mr. J. F. Arnold, who said the Budget was satisfactory. Prosperity was undoubted, and it was shared by the poorer classes, though the amount of unemployment this winter wa6 greater than in past years. ’ The Dominion should entertain, the American fleet. Tho administration of the Old Age Pensions Act required to he looked into. He applauded national annuities. Nobody wanted tho repeal of the Arbitration Act. The late unrest was not due to the Act, hut to tho way it was administered. It was quite true that there had been talk of a coalition between tho Government and the Opposition, tho idea being that thereby labor could better bo resisted. Labor felt it necessary to secure separate representation in the House, as nobody seemed to care for its interests. What was required was conciliation. The Arbitration Court, with compulsory powers, must remain if disputes could bo heard more expeditiously. Preference should he given to unionists by statute, and with this blot removed the workers would bo satisfied. Some proposals before the country now would satisfy nobody, but a reasonable Bill could be made out of the one now before the Labor Bills Committee.

Mr. A. E. Remington said that the large surplus had obviated greater borrowing. Unemployed of a kind would always be with New Zealand. He spoke at considerable length on socialism, saying Blatchford was the representative socialist. He advised tho Opposition to read several books to educate themselves on the subject. Tho Valuation Department had not placed fictitious values on properties. He thought it was not wise for the Government to guarantee the full amount of the money borrowed on the security of tho land, as proposed under the special land settlement ifcheme. Many Government members had assisted the Opposition to keep the flag of freehold flying. Mr. C. A. Hardy said that somo agitators had been appointed to positions in. tho Labor Department. These could scarcely be unbiassed officers. The Government party was nondescript, and the Ministry weakkneed and limp-backed. He criticised the Ministers individually. The Budget was full of promises, because tlie Government had not tlie willpower to resist a request. The House rose at 5.30 p.m.

EVENING SITTING. ' Tlie House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Mr. Hardy, continuing, said a combine and a tariff had put up the price of agricultural implements 50 per cent. The workers here did not want socialism .Crown tenants were dissatisfied. They wanted the freehold, Mr W. H. Barber followed with a congratulatory reference to >the Budget, He said that the preferential tariff did not favor tlie Mother Country as it should. Referring to tho public debt “’bogey,” he. said that a young country must iwrrow money. Tlie workers’ homes bad been a failure. The special land settlement proposals ineant the transference of tlie freehold from one to many. The Arbitration Act was Biisceptible to amendment to satisfy all parties. Mr. Barber said the timber trust in New Zealand was putting up prices and keeping many qjit of work. Nonassociated millers were being boy(oottedj. High prices meant high rents, and tho duty on imported timber should he abolished. Mr. H. G. Ell said the Government must go into tip; timber milling industry to break up tlie ring. The exportation of white pine must bo stopped in the interest of tlie dairy industry. The tariff Jjad kept out sweated and shoddy goods. The electors judged tlie Government Ry its works. Tlie Government had not climbed down, nor had they lowered the standard of labor. The labor courts had not increased the cost of all commodities. Clothes were clieapor now that; to) .vpars ago. The Government should persevere iu tin;. workers’s.Jiptii.esMiolicy. Mr. Ell appealed , * way fares ior worker "l depopulation and tj tb, cities. Mr: wotted the attonf ATT/l’cial stability tiers Act Of] l COMMl&te, d^® V ? a - Beo

the Maoris uplifting themselves. He admitted the growth of land settlement, and approved the back blocks roue ling proposals. ' ■ Mr. T. Y. Scddon referred to the rosy optimism pervading the Budget, ami said that if a tax was not put on Oregon pine the local industry would bo killed and thousands would be thrown out of work. Sawimllors were not making thoir fortunes. Timber was coming in at 20 per cent less than it could ho produced bore, and was being sold at 20 per cent profit, and he appealed for Adequate protection. In regard to mining, tho country should bo thoroughly prospected. He asked for an experimental farm on the West Coast-