THE HOUSE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 873, 20 July 1910, Page 8

THE HOUSE.

"FATHER OF THE CAMINC ACT." TRIBUTE TO DECEASED EX-' ■ .MEMBER. When the House resumed its sittings yesterday, '. ' : : ■ ■ Reference was made to tho death of the late : Mr: Richard Hobbs, of Auck-' land, who was at one time a member ,of the House. ■'■ " ', '. ■ .The PRIME MINISTER pointed out that tho deceased ■ had represented both Fraiikton'and tho Bay of Islands for a'number, of years. It was-of interest to note in view of proposed gamiug legislation this, yearthat Mr. Hobbs was tho father of the Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1881. . ■ Mr. MASSEY declared that deceased had gained the respect of all with whom he came in contact. . - : A voto appreciative of deceased's Parliamentary work and of condolence with his relatives Was then passed. MACKENZIE .COUNTRY RUNS. The adjourned debate' with reference to the report on, the Royal Commission as to the proposed subdivision of the Mackenzie Country ruiis was continued. It was eventually resolved that tho report of the commission should be laid on the table and printed. PHOSPHORUS MATCHES BILL. In Committee, tho Phosphorus Matches Bill was partly considered. ' Mr. WRIGHT (Wellington South) wanted to know whether as a result of the Bill the Wellington Matpli Factory at Newtown would havo to close down. , The Hon. D. BTJDDO said that in view of tho protective tariff, the manufacture of matches in the Dominion was bound to be continued. Mr. HERRIES- (Taurauga) inquired if the passing of the Bill would load to a monopoly or increase in the price of matches, , >

At this'stage the dinner adjournment arrived, and the. debate bad to bo adjourned. THE FINANCIAL DEBATE. WHEN SHOULD IT START? AN INTERESTING DISCUSSION. When Sir Joseph Ward concluded reading tlic Budget (which will bo found on another page), • Mr. MASSI'JV asked when it was proposed that the debate on : the Statement should 1 take, place..' Ho hoped that in answering, Sir Joseph would promise that the details of revenue and expenditure generally referred to as Bi and the Railways Statement would first be placed in iho possession of members. The PIUME MINISTER said that he proposed to ask the House to start the debate on Friday. If it were possible, BL ; would previously be brought down, but it would not do-to postpone the debate on the Budget if that were found to be impossible. Mr.Massey: Bl is very important. Sir Joseph: You will find enough material in tho Budget without 81. , Details of Cost of Loans Sought. ' Mr. Massey then, stated that V the usual custom was to.allow a week between the bringing down of the Budget and the debate, upon it, and he hoped that the Prime Minister would reconsider the matter. .. The Prime Minister said that he was informed that it would be impossible to-'firing down Bl prior to the debate. Ho would not like , any delay, for it might be : said that they were delaying. Mr. Allen (Bruce): Why don't you get on with some of the Bills? Sir: Joseph: Oh, whilst you have been, aiway we , have' been doing that. Mr.. ERASER (Wakatipu) contended that tho Prime Minister should,', before tho debate, place on the table a return showing the cost of raising the last loan, also the cost of underwriting, and the cost of conversion, as well as the cost o'f temporary loans raised during tho past year. Sir Joseph: If the information were ■available I should be glad to lay it on .the table, but ■! have not even seen it myself. .• ; Mr. Frasef: Why, on one occasion, full details of a loan were given in Victoria;six weeks after'the raising of a loan I . ' ■ Sir Joseph: Well, they must have been arranged six months before it was raised: Important Bill Promised To-Day. In response to further inquiries, the Primo Minister said he would announce to the House.to-day when the debate would 1 be commenced. In .order that they, might get to work he would to-day introduce the Extinction of Debt by Sinking Funds Bill, and consideration of it could start right away. , : . Mr. Fraser: But .we have 1 never seen ■' Sir Joseph: then said .that he would •propose that the gaming resolutions_be dealt with on. Thursday. Mr. Massey:. But . that is private members' day. . '• .■ Sir Joseph: That does not'matter to me. - . ■ Mr. Massey: But it, matters . to members from'whom you have already $aken' a day. Why not take the gaming resolutions on Friday? . Sir Joseph: The sooner we get the. decision-of .the House on the .various proposals the hotter. I will keep my promise to give a Government day in lieu of the private members' day that we took. ■.'... The earning Resolutions. -' Miv'Massey: Why not bring'down the Gaming Bill itself? . ' ■ . ! Sir Joseph: If wo brought down a Bill in tho ordinary way some member before we had got to the kernel of the proposal might then move to. enable members to vote foT the bookmaker and'tho totalisator combined. I don't believe in that; I want the votes to be taken separately'. If there is.any objection I 'would bring the resolutions forivard on Friday, but members ought to let ■it coir-.c up. on Thursday and have .the matter settled; Mr. Massey; There are enough Billsfor Thursday to occupy Parliament for a week. Why not go on with private busin'ess on' Thursday, the-gaming resolutions on. Friday, and the debate on the Budget on Tuesday?. Sir'Joseph.v.Will you let an. Imprest Supply. Bill go through without debate '•on .Friday; then? " ' ' . "• :..: Opposition .members: Oh! oh! " I W ant to Know W here I am. 1 ' ''.. Sir Joseph: Members can talk as long 'as . they . liko on'the Budget and the Estimates.' I want to know where I am. I would like to get the Imprest Supply Bill through on Friday, ; and then.let us go on with" the gaming resolutions on;the same day.'-. (Laughter.). In., conclusion-.the Premier, promised to-reconsider;'the matter with a view of making : a statement' to. the House today:v'-: .'.'■' The House , at this stage, 9.30 p.m., adjourned: ..'.'.. ~'..''