PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2634, 16 October 1909, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THE ADDRESS-IX-REPLY. ri’Eii Puiiss Association.! WELLINGTON, October 13. The Council met at 2.30 p.m The Hon F. Trask resumed the debate on the Address-in-Reply. He congratulated the Premier on his action in naval matters. He approved of the financial work accomplished by the Premier in London. The Hon. W. C. F. Car across thought compulsory training would be a goo thing, but he did not believe the people of the Dominion would take kindly to it. He thought, however, more vital interest might be taken in the volunteer movement, and giving such encouragement as would increase the public interest in it. He suggested that small nay might be given to young non-commissioned officers t-o give drill instruction at schools. The Government had to he congratulated upon bringing about a certain measure of retrenchment. He hoped the scheme would be kept up. He approved the Premier’s arrangements regarding contributions to naval defence. The Hon. H. Scotland disapproved of the naval agreement. The position was entirely due to letting a delegate go Home unfettered. He deplored the fact that the Dominion had drifted into the dreadful state of being under a one-man Government, The Hon. W. W. McCardle considered compulsory military training the last thing that should be resorted to. He did not attach such great importance to military training, instancing ,vhat had been done in the American Avar and by New Zealanders in South Africa, Speaking on the Hud question, he contended that the holders or 999-vear leases should be relieved of restrictions and interference of Land Boards after complying with necessary conditions. , The debate was adjourned, and the Council rose. house of representatives. THE ADDRESS-IX-REPLY. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m • ~, . r. i The debate on the Address-m-Keply •was continued by Mr. Lang, who referred in deprecatory terms to the labor legislation. He urged the necessity for improved telephone and mail services. , Mr Ell, dealing with the Timber Commission, denied that high wages ha l been chiefly responsible for the in: creased cost of production in the timber industry. This was due to the fact that as timber areas were utilised the n il'ers had to go further back into the I.mb, which entailed greater expenses ip working. „ „ , , , Mr. P. Thomson (Wallace) advocated cutting down tl’.e expenses of the High Commissioner’s office. He hoped, how-c\4-r. that :io retrenchment would be nu de in connection with the Geological Survey Department, which was doing \iuuable work for the mining industry Ho complained that the Timber Commission had not fully reported on the birch timO-t industry of tile South • c-.and. _ At the evening sitting, Mr. Wright continued- the debate on .th® Address-in-Repiy. He condemned the action of the Government in purchasing the property known as the Nainai swamp, in the Hutt, at £l5O an acre, which the owner paid £7O an acre for, and which was practically useless. Ho aLso referred to the anomalous procedure in civil service appointments and to irregularities in connection with the licensing polls. Mr Wilford deplored the- loss of infant life in the Dominion. A total of 1761 children died last year—--75 out of every 1000 male children dido under a year old, and 60 out of every 1000 female children had died. Many Maori children died as the result of ignorance and superstition. Land settlement would solve the problem of unemployment. He announced himself in favor of the freehold tenure, and urged the settlement of Native lands in the direction of placing Maoris on an equality with Pakehas. Mr Hogg continued the debate. Left sitting.