PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2529, 16 June 1909, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

ANTI-DREADNOUGHT MOTION DEFEATED—ONLY TV/0 SUPPORTERS.

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Juno 15

In • tlie. Legislative Council, the Speaker read a message from the House of Representatives tasking the concurrence of the Council in the resolution approving; of the Dreadnought offer. _ The Attorney-General said that it was not necessary for the House to ask the Council’s concurrence, but it was done, as a matter of courtesy. The Hon. J. ltigg moved an amendment opposing the offer. He took exception to Dr. Findlay’s statement, and argued at length in support of the reasons given in the amendment, contending that the offer was the result of a party dodge, backed up by the Unionist press.. He gave the Government credit for good motives, but they acted hurriedly for fear some other country should get ahead of them. The real feeling of the country was against the offer. The Opposition was hopelessly involved in the offer, and could not repudiate it. The Hon. H. Scotland briefly seconded Mr. Rigg’s amendment. There was no discussion. In the division only two, Messrs Rigg and Scotland, voted for the amendment, and the motion was carried. The Council then adjourned till tomorrow. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. LOANS TO LOCAL BODIES. The. House met at 11.30 a.m. On a motion by the Premier that returns showing loans to local bodies lie on tho table, a discussion arose on the general question. Sir Joseph Ward .said that ho recognised its importance, and, when in London, would try and arrange for loans to local bodies at a low rate of interest, but he could do nothing now. On the motion of the Premier, it was agreed that a report of the informal meeting of Parliament be added to “Hansard.” THE FINANCIAL POSITION—OPPOSITION CRITICISM. Air. Massey asked the Speaker for a ruling on the point as to whether the Financial Bill introduced by the Premier last night was an Appropriation dill. The Speaker ruled that the Bi.l was in order. Mr. Massey said that there were certain proposals in the Finance Bill to which he strongly objected, and which he would oppose when the Bin entered the committee stage. In addition to the million and a-quarte r mentioned in the first part of the Bill, £75,000 was proposed to be raised; this meant increasing the debt by £L400,000. The House had not had sufficient information regarding the financial proposals. He objected to extending appropriations tiil 14th October. The House „was given to understand that it would meet again in September. The proper thing to dp was to bring down an Imprest Supply Bill when the House met again. It was proposed fo extend unauthorised expenditure to £200.000. Regarding clause S, he interpreted it to mean that the Government was empowered to start roads and bridges without the authority of Parliament. The Bill w<?Uld take a week to consider. It opened up the whole question of the admiustration. The finances of the colon}' wore not in a satisfactory state. bile we had a surplus of £184,000, wo had liabilities of £287,132. Parliament had a- great deal more responsibility this session than usual. Our .prosperity had gone. The Government were not facing the position, hut were shirking their duties. He hoped no attempt would be made to raise money by short-dated loans, which would seriously embarrass the country. He referred to the exodus of settlers from the Dominion to Queensland, and said that this was caused by the Land Act of two years ago. When settlers found that land thrown open for settlement was set apart for endowment purposes, they went away in disgust. Mr. Massey said that the. railways had a capital >*of 29 millions invested in them, but wero only returning £BOO,OOO iper an_ num. Consequently there was a very serious loss on the railways. Mr Buchanan deprecated the constant’ railing at capitalists, and- said that within the last day or two people who had money invested in land were called criminals. He complained that tho Government placed obstacles in the way of settlers acquiring the tree- ■ The House resumed, after the luncheon adjournment, at 2.30 p.m. Air. Buchanan admitted that the season had been a most successful one, but said that the expenditure had been excessive. Mr. Luke considered that a larger sum should have been set apart for the purchase of Native lands, which should be opened mi and leased to Europeans. Ho hoped that the Premier, when at Home, would inquire into financial matters connected with the High Commissioner’s office, which he would probably find more costly than any other State office. He urged that something should be done.to remedy the condition of the service in the police force. The present unsatisfactory position was duo to tho fact that sufficient inquiry had not been made regarding the antecedents and character of applicants. Air. Arnold also complained of the unsatisfactory state of the police force, and said he would fight for a remedy until it was effected.' He considered that the portfolio of Justice should bo held by a member of the House. Air. Herdman considered the. state of things disclosed respecting tho police highly discreditable to the Government. He blamed the Commissioner of Pence for the. present condition of affairs. Dealing with advances to sottlcrs, he condemned the extension of loans to people other than settlers. * . Air. Okey was disappointed that a sum had not been appropriated lor advances to settlers. A good deal of the depression last year was due to the Department not having sufficient funds to meet the requirements of settlers. Regarding public works, he said that complaints were made that value was not received for tho money expended. ; ' Air. Fraser said that the House was losing control of the public purse, winch had gone to the Treasury benches. He hoped that next session Parliament would determine that the,control of the public purse should ho in its own hands. Members/ should have time given them to indicate which works should be proceeded with,, I he Government had been unintentionally a factor in depleting the country of the capital necessary to carry on. industries, s Dr. Newman condemned the Government’s borrowing policy. Air J. Allen said that the Governmen Vs hand-to-mouth borrowing policy

was dangerous. Ho hoped that the House would pass a resolution in favor of universal military training, which would have its effect at the Defence Conference. Tho Swiss system was incomparably tho best for New Zealand, as it did not interfere with employment.

The .House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. Tho House resumed at 7.30' p.m. Mr. Hine criticised the administration of public works, and gave an instance of men in his electorate thrown out of employment. Three hundred men had been discharged last month in the Taranaki district.

Air. Clark said ho was opposed to compulsory training if the volunteer system could be rendered effective. He proposed a scheme whereby volunteers should he insured for £IOO, payable at 50 years of ago. The amount of premium v'ould be £2 7s a year per head. This, on 200,000 men, would be£47,000. He w'ould increase the force by 20,000 next year, and tlie third year would raise tho force to 50,000. At the end of the tenth year the country would have 110,000 men fit to take the field. Mr. T. E. Taylor said he wondered when -there would he a -party in the House to bring before it the state of the men who did not earn £IOO a year. This was tho class that should be considered. Ho said that the Customs taxation pressed heavily on the working men, and pointed out that the British Chancellor pf the Exchequer had relieved men with families in the way of taxation. Air. Taylor said he hoped that on the returp of tho Premier the Advances to Settlers office would be reorganised so that people could procure the capital required to carry on their enterprises. Local government reform was urgently needed. Parliament would be voting two millions without knowing how the- money would he spent-. Mr. Anderson advocated reform of local government, with the view of relieving the Government of much work. He also advocated granting the freehold to settlers, and Sjpake of the necessity of military training. Mr. Fisher said that lie hoped a commission would be set up to inquire into tho state of the police force. Mr. Fisher went on to deal with the question of retrenchment, and urged that such a condition of affairs as was stated to have existed previous to the reforms in the Civil Service should not be allowed to exist in future.

Air. Herries, referring to the proposed loan, said that the House should be given more information on the subject. He proceeded eo deal with the financial proposals regarding native lands, and said that- there was no more burning question in the North Island. Hardlv anything had been done as the result of the legislation of 1900. THE FINANCIAL BILL—SECOND READING! CARRIED. Sir Joseph Ward rc-nlied. Regarding those who criticised the loans, he said that those who indulged in such criticism were constantly asking for money for works in their districts. As to the charges regarding the police force, members should,, before making them, have communicated with the authorities concerned to learn the other side of the question. He pointed out that, out of 387 candidates coming up last year, 250 had been rejected for various reasons. He rebutted further charges against the members of the force, and said he knew of no reason why the Alinister of Justice should not be in the calm arena of the Upper House so long as he carried out his duties efficiently. He charged those who objected to the limit of £SOO loan granted to settlers, with having killed the proposal to fix the limit at £SOOO. The talk of ‘capital being driven out of the country was nonsense. If companies were leaving the country and taking miiaons with them, other companies were coniine- in and investing money m the country. During the last twelve months over four millions had been borrowed by the Government without a hitch, proving that our credit stood bio'll notwithstanding the attempts to damage it. Tlie policy of the Govern-ment-'regarding the railways had not chanced. Referring to the crowd assembled at Parliament gates, the Premier denounced the attempts to get up a demonstration against himself, and defied those responsible. . The second reading of the Financial Bill was carried. In committee Mr. Massey moved an •amendment to clause 2, that 30th September be substituted for October 14th. He- said that the Government were asking for supulies till the middle of October, thus deferring the meeting of Parliament till that date. Mr. Buchanan supported tlie amendment. ~ i The Premier said he could not return before the 30th September, and it was necessary to have a- week to prepare an Imprest 'Supply Bill. (Left Sitting.)