PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2251, 24 July 1908, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WEDNESDAY NIGHT’S SITTING. [Truss Association.] WELLINGTON, July 23. After midnight on Wednesday, Mr. T. Y. Sodden said it was hard to believe that timber could be brought from Puget Sound (America) and landed in Wellington at (id per IOOOIt Jess than from the West Coast. It cost practically the same -to carry timber 0000 miles by sea as 00 miles on the New Zealand railways. He appealed earnestly*to the Ministry to assist the sawmiliers and to retain work for thoir employees. The adjournment of the debate till this afternoon was moved by Mr, E. G. Allen, and carried. The Inferior Courts Procedure Dill, the Acts Interpretation Amendment Dill, and the Town Hoards Amendment Dill wero received from, the Legislative Council and read a first time.

Tho House adjourned at 12.4 a.m

AFTERNOON SITTING

Tho House met at 2.30 p.m. The Farriers Dill No. 2 (Mr. Major) was introduced and read a first time. The Education Act Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor’s message and read a first time. The Finincial Debate was resumed by Mr. E. G. Allen, who approved of the Budget, and expressed gratification at the new land settlement proposals. He was glad the teachers’ superannuation was to be placed on the Civil Service basis. Ho went onto show that the - Liberal Government, were tho best friends of tho farmer, and had fostered the dairy industry so that New Zealand ran Denmark close on tho London market. He supported .the increase of the naval subsidy. Volunteers should bo encouraged. He was glad an amendment of the Education Act had been brought down. Hon. C. H. Mills said that the financial position was satisfactory, though New Zealand had been affected by the American crisis. ’ Money must be borrowed to develop a young country. The revenue was under-es-timated. The Customs would yield much more than tho sum anticipated. The 6ugar remissions had not, an his ■pinion, been of very groat benefit. Ho supported the visit of the American fleet. Credit was due to the Prime Miaiister for the Advances to Settlers Act, which was the most beneficial measure on tho Statute Book. .The' workers’ homes were too pretentious and rents too high. Regarding the importation of Oregon pine, the rawmiller was the pioneer of all bush settlements, and deserved, together with those dependent on him, to receive Government protection. He regretted there was no mention of the South Island Main Trunk line in the Budget. He congratulated the Government upon taking over the Manawatu, and soon hoped to sec a smart ferry service to Pdcton.

Mr. W. H. Field referred to the price of wool. He said that not only the wool ’king was affected but the small fanner also, the latter' very severely, t There had been a fall in other products,and money was scarce. He urged the Government. to give farmers instructions in sheepfarming. There was necessity for the protection of the sawmiliers. If the local industry were killed by American competition, prices would be bumped up. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m.

EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. ’ Mr. W. Svmes supported the freehold, and advocated a comprehensive Local Gtovernment Bill. National Annuities and Old Age Pensions should be consolidated. He supported the special land settlement proposals. Mr. J. -Graham justified borrowing for necessary' development. So long as the railways paid 3 per cent, the policy of concessions should continue. He advocated caution, and said that if the capital advances to settlers wero £10,000,000, no further borrowing would be required. The Government could, not now meet requirements. lie appealed for railway and harbor extension at Nelson.

Mr. W. T. Jennings said his district was one of the most go-ahead in the Dominion. The Mokau bridge should bo built. He justified borrowing. He appealed for more schools in the back blocks. The Maoris were not lazy. “We should treat them as men and give them, fair opportunities.” Sir W. J. Steward said that- indirect taxations fell too heavily on the worker. The ordinary land tax should be abolished, and only the disruptive tax retained. The farmer should be taxed in proportion to his income. The sugar duty should not’have been abolished. It would have paid for reading the back blocks, increasing teachers’ salaries, and improving internal defences. He supported an increase of tho naval subsidy. A struggle between East and West would inevitably come. He also supported tlie special land settlement proposals and the loading, of the hack blocks. Branch railway lines must be provided to enable settlers to use tlie trunk lines.

Mr. J. T. Hogan said that taxation did not bear heavily on the working classes. He considered the increase of the public debt for expenditure on reproductive works was justified. Old age pensions should not bo forfeited for occasional drunkenness, but should be administered by the local body. He approved of the advances to settlors, the increase of the naval subsidy to £IOO,OOO, and the special land settlement proposals, which, however, should extend to the worker in suburbs of towns. Regarding industrial arbitration, Mr. Hogan said that any law placed on. the-Sta-tute Book must be enforced. He opposed a tax on Oregon pine, saying that the. importations wero insignificant, and did not seriously affect sawniillers. An increase of the duty was wanted by the timber ring. The debate was continued by Mr. C. E. Major.