PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2252, 25 July 1908, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

AFTERNOON SITTING

[Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Julv 24. Tho I-louso mot at 2.80 p.m. Tlio following Bills wero introduce© and road a first time: Alining Act Amendment Bill (Hon. Jus. McGowan), Wellington (City) Town Belt Reserves Leasing Bill (Air. Fisher), AVollington City Empowering Bill (Air. Fisher). Tho Premier statod that lie had roceivod a cablegram from the Hon. \\ . P. Reeves, tho High Commissioner, stating that he had accepted tho position of Director of the London School of Economics,and would therefore have to resign his position as High Commissioner, ns from October next. Under these circumstances, it would bo necessary for his successor lo proceed to London, to take up tho iKjsition. Tho mat tor was important, in that it would require tho Government’s careful consideration. Ho proposed to make a statement to tlio House boforo the end of tho session,,, and to ask tlio House to place oifreeord its appreciation' of the cervices rendered to tho Dominion by tho Hon. W. P. Reeves. The Financial Debate was resumed bv Hon. W. Hall-Joncs, who said that if the loading appropriations were to be completely spent, the ‘end of tlie linaficial year would have to be nltored. Fie justified' tlie system of co-operativo works, and said that-rail-ways should not bo criticised on party lines, as there wero many disconnected sections which' increased the cost of working. It was good policy, to run some trains at- a loss to develop the country, and help settlers, and although the cost qt material ahd labor had gone up tho charges had gone down. It was the policy of the Government, when tho interest,earned exceeded 3 per cent., to make fur-', ther concessions. Fares and freight charges were much lower here than in any of the Australasian colonies, and tho railways must bo considered as a whole system and not in detached sections. Very low Freights were necessary to meet sea competition. Sir Joseph Ward replied at 4 p.m., and thanked members for the way ill which the Budget had been debated. The Opposition asked for caution, and he would show that tho Government’s policy had been one of caution. Borrowing within the Dominion bail been insignificant, and the Government had only borrowed £225,000 of the A.M.P. Society’s moneys in twelve years. Wlrnt, he asked, was the use of borrowing on tlio London market in view of the failure of tho New South Wales loan in March last, anil consols wero interest-hearing, despite what the Opposition said. Regarding borrowing from friendly societies, he said nobody in New Zealand had been asked to take up tho loans. He showed that Air. E. G. Allen’s criticism, to the effect that a balance of £152,563 had not boon carried forward, was unfounded. Tho Liberal Administration liiid spent more on roads than was ever spent before. He pointed out that members of tho Opposition asked for caution, and at the same time wanted heavy expenditure. The member for Bruce wanted five railways in his constituency. Sir Joseph quoted a passage from the Financial Journal in London, based’ on a letter in a Wellington newspaper, stating that borrowing was to the extent of £4,000,000 a year. That journal said that sane public opinion was required in New Zealand and in. England, to prevent tho colony living on borrowed money. He could not use confidential information, but lie would tell them that there wero people here, and had been for years, who were always ready to invest in New Zealand stock in London when the price fell low enough. He justified the contention that the financial position was unassailable, and complained bitterly of those who did all they could to decry the financial position of the country. Sir Joseph quoted a letter from Air. Booth, of Messrs Booth, AFacDonald and Co., Christchurch, and an articlo from the Christchurch “Press” to show that the Budget was satisfactory and -that certain critics wore doing harm to the Dominiou. (Loud applause.) The House went into Committee or Supply on the Estimates, and adjourned at 5.30 p.m.'

EVENING SITTING. Tlie House resumed in Committee of Supply at 7.30 p.m. on the first item of tho Estimates. Air. AV. Herries complained of tlie administration of the prison . camps, alleging that dangerous criminals were sent there, causing alarm and unrest amongst settlers. Hon. J-as. AtcGowan said that the prison, camps had not been a failure. Dangerous criminals were not sent there. Only men of good behaviour were sent to these camps. Mr. W. F. Alassey • said that tho men at tlio camps were not properly supervised. At nights they went off on burglaring expeditions without being detected. Hon. Jas. AlcGowan replied that no real unrest existed. He did not believe that many stated the facts but that they repeated wild stories. Air. H. J. Okey complained of the lack of information regarding tho dairy industry. Hon. R. AlcNab said that a report would he submitted shortly. Air. T. Alackenzie complained that Government officers did not supply enough information regarding the state of tho London .markets. F’armers were exploited through information being withheld. Mr. AV. Herries hoped that tlie salaries of veterinarians would ho increased, as good men were leaving the service. Hon. R. AlcNab said the matter would be dealt with ill the Supplementary Estimates.

Air. T. AI. Wilford asked for better w'-ages in the Government printing office and in the railway service. Air. F. Ban me urged the necessity for giving free railway travelling to children and young persons going to work. Ho ialso said hotelkeepers should bo compelled to take children witli their parents at reduced rates. Mr. AV. F. Massey said there was ■a good deal of unemployment in the cities, and it was desirable to control immigration so as not to swell the ranks of the unemployed. Hon. R. AfcNab. said .it was not the duty of the Minister for Agriculture to go hat in hand and olfer an increase of salaries to officers of the department. No dissatisfaction was expressed by the officers, and naturally if . they said they wished to be relieved of their positions lie had to accede to their request. . " Dr. Chappie urged the necessity of encouraging the right class of immigrants to come here. It was very necessary to increase the population. Hon. W. Hall-Jones pointed out that comparatively few immigrants in proportion to tho total number came here with the knowledge of tho High Commissioner. Air. C. Lewis referred to the dearth of labor in the country districts, and said farmers could not get men for farming. Immigrants should be encouraged. Dr. Chappie complained of. the injustice resulting from allowing consumptives to land in New' Zealand. Air. Donald Reid, jur., advocated the encouragement of immigration of farm laborers. Air. O. Hall said tho condition of native lands infested with rabbits was unsatisfactory. The Government 6eemed to do nothing. They should get the laud settled as soon as possible.

Air. H. G. Ell complained of the bad conditions surrounding the Cook Islands fruit trade, and urged- the necessity for improvement. Air C. AI. Gray urged the necessity for a better steamer service to the Cook Islands, also more favorable freight charges on railways for Cook Islands fruit. Ah. AY. F. .Alasscy asked for the privilege for members to frank telegrams on public service only, as the cost at present was a serious item. He also said it would be dangerous to travel over parts of the North Island" Main Trunk line at night. The Premier said he was opposed to the franking system. It would ho a retrograde step to return to it. As for the train service referred to. tlie beet commercial interests bad

boon considered in framing the timetable, which was tho only ono meeting all requirements. Tho first item—Legislative Council, £2905, was then passed. Progress was deported, -and the House roso at 11.48 p.m.