PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2631, 13 October 1909, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

THE ADDRESS-IN-REPLY.

[Phr Panes Association.! WELLINGTON, Oct. 12. The Council met at 2.30 p.m’ .An Imprest Supply Bill from the House passed all its stages. The Hon. R. A. Lough nan moved the address-in-reply. He said that bo considered it a special honor to. do so, as this was tho occasion on which the foundation of the Empire had been well and truly begun. He dealt at length Avith naval defence ,the work of the Conference, and the success attending the visit of the Premier to the Conference. He went on to say that he was not quite certain that the time had not arrived when a compulsory system of military training should bo adopted in the Dominion. If there was not to be such a system what was the use of asking Lord Kitchener to report on the forces? He felt sure tlio-t xne people would welcome compulsory training (voices: “No, no”). Dealing with the land question lie indicated that assessments might be adjusted in such a way that it need matter little what the tenure was. Referring to the limber Commission lie said that the most important •recommendation was that in favor of afforestation. The Hon. J. Barr, in seconding the motion, said that, while he agreed that we should, individually and collectively, defend the Empire, there were things nearer to the people than the problematic defending of the Empire. He proceeded to refer to the reference m the Governor’s speech to the reduction in customs revenue. While we had lost on customs we had gained on the land tax. Things to a certain extent had been made easier for the working people. They accepted this as a fii'st instalment of what is to he. The Land and Income Tax had increased without inflicting injury upon anyone. He held that the tendency of the Government was not to put things into the hands of a few, but was towards a more equitable distribution of wealth. He quoted statistics to show that much had been done bv the Government for the people, in advances to settlers, and lie looked forward to still more being done in the future. He alluded to the labor laws and pointed out that while they had done much for the workers there were hundreds of men and women in the Dominion who worked early and late, 3G5 days a year, with no halfholidays or Sunday rest, and that it was essential to amend the law so as to give relief to these. On the question of unemployment it was for the Government to take steps to prevent tho annual recurrence of going to the public for charity for honest men who are unable to find work during a certain period of the year. His suggestion was that the question might be dealt with (1) By a labor exchange; (2) A scheme of insurances; (3) Special Government and municipal works and (4) labor colonies.. He dwelt at great length on the advantages of a scheme of bureaus and insurance, quoting extensively from tho German scheme. The Council rose at 5.30 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. THE RIGHTS OF PRIVATE MEMBERS. The House met. at 2.30 p.m. . On the question of leave to introduce the Canterbury College and Agricultural College Amendment Bill; (Mr Craigie). Mr Russell asked the Speaker to rule if this was a Local Bill. The Speaker said he could not do do so until he had seen tho Bill. The Premier referred to the extraordinary fact that no copy of the Bill was in the hands of members. This anomalous state of affairs revealed a weakness in the standing orders. Mr Massey was glad that the Premier saw the necessity for a member to explain his position in regard to tho Bill and hoped Sir Joseph Ward would reconsider his decision to amend, the standing orders. Mr Massey was glad that the Premier saw the necessity for a member to explain bis position in regard to the Bill and hoped Sir Joseph Ward would reconsider his decision to amend the standing orders so as to prevent members from speaking on a motion for leave to introduce a Bill. Mr T. E. Taylor (Christchurch) said that tho rights of private members at preset were so slight that it was necessary to resist any attempt to further restrict their powers., The Bill passed its first reading. FIRST READINGS. The Kaitoke County (Mr Okey), Waipukurau Reserves and National Sick and Accident Insurance Bills (Mr Guinness) were read a first time. Tho Hospitals and Charitable. Institutions Bill, introduced by Governor s Message, was road a first time. ACCOMMODATION FOR FARM WORKERS.

The Hon. J. A. Miller, replying to Mr T. E. Taylor (Christchurch) said it was impossible to have inspectors going round each farm to see that farmers provided suitable accommodation for their Workers, but any breach of the law would be immediately followed by a prosecution. ADDRES-IN-REPLY.

The Address-in-Reply was moved by Mr. Smith (Rangitikei). He referred to the Governor’s visit to the Islands, and the possibilities of commerce therewith, and to the visit of delegates from tho Chambers of Commerce, and the probable effects on Imperial trade. He said that the finding or the Timber Commission was. considered unfavorable by all who desired to sec the progress of tho timber industry in the Dominion. He read a telegram from the millers of Ohakune commenting adversely on the report, and he said that the timber industry encouraged settlement, and deserved the support of the State. Mr. Smith went oil to deal at length with the conditions of the timber milling industry, and referred to the Premier’s visit to Britain, where, he said. Sir Joseph Ward had acted as a worthy representative of tho Dominion. It was a pleasing result of the Defence Conference that Now Zealand was to have a souadron in its own waters, manned by its own people. The loan raised by the Premier was a clear proof that New Zealand still had the confidence of the Old World financiers. The loans to local bodies arranged for by Sir Joseph Ward would he a —ateful relief to* many bodies throughout the Dominion. , Ho hoped to soe Native lands dealt with on the same principle as European lands. He was pleased to see that the revenue from the railways for the last year was in excess of that for the previous year. He announced himself as a staunch believer in tho optional tenure, coupled with limitation of area. Mr. Buxton seconded the motion, and referred to agricultural prospects, which, he said, were hopeful. The late financial stringency could not! be attributed to the ‘Government’s legis-

lation, which had rather gone to reduce the effects of the depression. Tie advocated a scheme of compulsory military service. Touching on land legislation. ho favored the leasehold system as) a stepping stone to tho freehold, though personally he ■would as soon have a leasehold as a freehold. ITo condemned the resolution of the Farmers’ Union Conference that the Government should cease further purchase of lands until all Crown lands were settled. This would not do for the South Island, especially Canterbury, where there were no Crown lands. The Old Age Pensions Act required amendment by removing property disqualifications. Funds could be raised by a graduated income tax This would be as just as a graduated land tax. Mr. Massey, referring to Mr. Smith s speech, said it treated the Government and the Opposition as one. The party Mr. Smith now supported had done its best to kill the optional tenure. He agreed with the mover of the Address-in-Rcply that the Timber Commission bad nofc treated the industry iairly. Tho report was not worth a tenth part of its cost to the country. He would suggest a Commission to deal with the question of the Oliineinuri silting, which would be beneficial to agriculturalists and others. Regarding Mr. Buxton’s speech, Mr. Massey said that it # contained a great many subjects. If all these were dealt with it would be impossible to finish the session before Christmas. He deplored the absence of any provision for local government legislation. The Governor's Speech contained more soothing syrup than sound legislative proposals. He honed that some of the ground lost by the postponement oil Parliament would he regained before Christmas.

The House rose at 5.30 p.m. After the dinner adjournment Mr Massey continued Iris speech on the ad-dress-in-reply and dealt with the question of defence. He said he had not the slightest intention of making this a party question. He was sorry that the subject of land defence' had not received more attention. He believed that New Zealand would eventually evolve a satisfactory scheme. At the time of the general election nothing had been said about retrenchment. Some people asked us to look at things through rose-colored spectacles. It was a matter for congratulation that we had got through the period of depression without more hardship than had been experienced. He was afraid that when prosperity returned, the errors of squandering and waste would begin again. He condemned bringing immigrants into the country at a time,when there was no work for them, and he hoped that this state of things would be remedied during the present session. Referring to the charges of slanderous statements against the credit of the country ascribed to tho Opposition bv the Premier, he challenged Sir Joseph Ward to name the persons responsible for the statements. The Opposition had played tho game fairly and intended to do so, but when accused unfairly they would hit back. He condemned the pamphlet circulated under the title “Lest we Forget” and bearing the signature of Sir Joseph 4\ ard, which boasted of prosperity at a time when the Government was in financial difficulties.

Sir Joseph Ward: We were never in financial difficulties. Mr Massey: Yet you were sacking hundreds of men. Inferring to the Xntive Land Commission Mr Massey said he was disgusted with the report. Judging by past experience the land recommended for settlement would never be opened for the present generation. The only way out of the Native land difficulty was to place the Natives on tho same footing as Europeans, subject to certain restrictions to safeguard Native interests. The present state of the mail services was unworthy of the country. He considered that arrangements should be made with the Union Company to have a connecting steamer with Suva to meet the Vancouver mail boats. , The Hon. G. Fowlds congratulated, the mover and seconder of the address-in-reply on their speeches. He. said that, notwithstanding Mr Massey’s designation of the Advances to Settlers Office as a pawnshop, 111 millions of money had been advanced. Ho ridiculed Mr Massey’s statement that there was as much poverty in \\ ellington last winter as in Britain. It could not be denied that many loan companies had given up business in New Zealand, but that was because the Government had lowered the rate of interest. Consequently capital had gone where it would get more remuneration. He referred at length to the Second Ballot nnd the Absolute Majority Bill, and to Mr Massey’s attiude thereon, which he field to be inconsistent. The Government’s retrenchment scheme was justified. Expenditure had grown to such an extent that at a time when the revenue was falling off, it was necessary to retrench. The Opposition had made no efforts to assist the Government in cutting down expenses. Everything possible should bo done to keep down gambling in land. The Government valuations were 3 or 4 per cent, below the actual selling value all over the Dominion. The great increase in land values was owing to the improvements made by the State in making roads and bridges. Mr Fisher twitted* Mr Fowlds with sinking his views on the land question. He objected to his party being identified with tlfe old Tories by Mr Fowlds, yet the latter party deserved credit for establishing some of the finest socialist institutions this or any other country could boast of. The party on his side of the House rejoiced at reforms being brought about in the old country by means of the budget. A progressive policy of land settlement was required by the country and the Government was not going fast enough in that direction, because it was afraid to formulate a land policy. He said that the only method by which satisfactory valuations could he secured was to impose a Transfer Tax on land transactions, and thus hinder speculation. Mr Poole charged Mr Fisher with tergiversation .in his political career. There was, he said, a feeling of dis; appointment in the country that the Liberal Party was not so progressive as it might ho. When golden opportunities were passed by the party, it was in a stagnant state. There was a growing feeling throughout the country that better opportunities must be given for earning a living upon the land. The debate was adjourned and the House rose at 11.25 p.m.