A SESSION'S WORK.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1125, 12 May 1911, Page 2

A SESSION'S WORK.

SPEECH BY MR. E. NEWMAN. LEGISLATION REVIEWED. DEFENCE AND GAMING ACTS. , In his address to the electors at Marlon on Tuesday, Jlr. - E. Newman, member for Ifanawatu, reviewed the legislation of lasit session. Referring to the defence question, he stated that the first time in the history of New' Zealand and of any British Dominion the principle of compulsory service for the defence of the country was approved by Parliament. .'And he wished to say that the Opposition party supported the Government practically unanimously in this matter, and this was admitted by the Premier. After quoting the ages for compulsory service he estimated that in ten years 70,000 men would be. trained. Next.year the force would contain 30,000 territorials and about .12,(100 cadets. He did not think tho Act was perfect. For one thing, far too much was' left to regulations, but still it was an Act for good of 'the conntry. He desired to repeat what he said in the House,' which was to the effect "that tho worst enemy, this country could have would be a party, or a leader of a party, that would introduce politics into defence matters. He would be a traitor' to his country- who would seek for his own political advantage to weaken the defence system that had boen built up by the self-sacrifice of his fellow colonists." He considered it was the duty of every person to watch carefully for the least indication of political colour being introduced into defence matters. Lord Kitchener saw this danger and warned the country against it in his report. Ho hoped tho people of New Zealand would stand out for a defence system free from political control. Licensing Bill. Dealing with tho licensing, question,'; Mr. Newman said many S'ould remember that at last election the Prohibition party, fearing that retrogressive legisla-' iion might take place, asked candidates to pledge themselves to vote for throe-fifths. and he had no hesitation in stating that the party would have done better if they had not demanded this pledge. Members of Parliament should be representatives not delegates, and should either bo trusted by these they represent or not put in the position. ■(Applause.)- In accordance with his pledge, he voted for tW retention of three-fifths and against tho proposed 55 per cent. He now stood clear of any pledge. The Gaming Act. Feeling very strongly that clauses connected with tho legalisation of. the bookmakers under an Act passed by Government should be removed without, delay, he ventured to introduce on July 13 a Bookmakers' Abolition Bill. The Bill was killed because it was introduced by an Ooposition member, although all but -four members were in favour of tho proposal. Soon after the clause'that his Bill sought to exercise, with regard to the abolition of tho bookmaker,. was inserted in. a Government measure, and carried by an almost unanimous vote. He voted for tho retention of the totalisator. When the question that permits should not exceed 250 a year was carried he- supported a proposal that preference should be given to country clubs, but the House decided that tho Commission should not be bound in this way. With regard to the general question of gaming as now existing, 'he wished to give reasons for his actions. He voted for the abolition of the bookmaker because he considered his existence a menace b 1 the community. Thereiwore, no doubt, honest- bookmakers, but' both from the Bench and Police Commissioners they had definite declarations that since the clause legalising bookmakers was enacted gambling and crime had greatly increased. He quoted what Justice Chapman said .when he declared "the result of legalising bookmakers was a direct encouragement of a criminal class." r , The bookmaker'was. a greater evil than the totalisator. There was too much inducement offered to bet with him. He gave credit, which'was an inducement to..ftaud and gamble. The "tote" did not dp'this. He did not suppose the new Act'would stop gambling, but it would save many young men from ruin. If they abolished the totalisator, it would give the bookmakers a fresh leaso of life. Summed up, the "tote" was always honest, it did not follow people into their homes, it gave no credit, and it always r>3.vs up when it loses. However, he held-no brief for. tho "tote," but he went for the preatest evil —the abolition of-tho bookmaker, .-i' National Provident Act, V The National"Provident Act, said Mr. Newman, had for its object, ostensibly at all events, the ..encouragement of thrift on the part of persons who possess- small incomes. It.vcas an extension of the superannuation system to people whoso incomes did not. exceed i! 200 a year, and there were incapacity and maternity-benefits that it was hoped would induce many to avail themselves of the system. It was. available for persons between 10 and 45 years, and contributions were on a sliding scale. The. ■in : - > th i e measure were that it might in't'erfef<v-w)th friendly societies, who were doing Splendid work, ne considered '.he organisation of friendly societie.s should have been used in connection with tho scheme. It was an imperfection that only those earning .£2OO a year or less could avail themselves of the Act.' It should have been altered to. ,£4 a week. It was reckoned at JI2OO at "the time of original payment, and a man may afterwards get .PSOCO a year and still participate. Why should -any man even with..£3oo to X'looo a year not be,entitled to get. the benefit from the Act if he pays a full contribution without Government subsidy? If made universal it would save the people the huge profits of insurance companies. Oiie other point ho desired ro mention. Tho provision by which childrn at 10, no matter how rieh the parents were, could participate, would help the wealthy not the poor man'- , Every rich than could get his children at 16' into this scheme and secure the Government subsidy. How many poor people could afford to'do this? So to this extent.the Act would fail in its true object to help those who require help. Other Bills, Mr. Newman said the object of the Public Debt Extinction Act was to form sinking funds which would, wipe off public loans amounting to 80 millions at or before the end of 75 years. He opposed tho Bill because he considered it unsound and likely to mislead people m approval of extensive borrowing and not in the interests of tho country. The establishment of sinking funds while borrowing was proceeding was an absurdity. The object of the Act was to facilitate borrowing by leading tho people to believe that they could do so with safety becaiise sinking funds arc provided. This policy has added 20 millions to the Public Department since Sir Joseph Ward. took office. He approved of sinking funds worked on a sound basis and believed in borrowing money for"public works, if a clear open policy was adopted. He had no objection to borrowing, but it was the administration of the present Government that he objected to. The Land Bill was dropped. In some respects it was more favourable, to the freehold than the previous- three Bills. So it might be accepted that Government are realising that the people want and will have the freehold, and no doubt the next Laud Bill would provide for it. After referring briefly to taxation, Mr. Newman went on lo give instances of gross miscalculation and extravagance in the expenditure of public money. Reference was made to the paralysing effect of legislation on the development of industries within the Dominion, and figures supplied by Mr. Herd in an showed availing off in many of New Zealand's industries. Too many Government shots have been fired at. those engaged in our industries, and they were killing I hem. The Labour party should keep to their own business, and leave (ho Socialists alone, and perhaps our industries may yet recover confidence. The Opposition Party. Tho most progressive and beneficial measures ever passed by New Zealnnd Parliament were introduced by members of tho Opposition party, now called Conservatives or Tories. Mr. Mnssey was the first man in Parliament to move that ndI vances should be made to workers. The partv havo supported good and sound legislation proposed by the Government,

particularly on all' Imperial matters, could tlit.y be called a Conservative or Tory party?

Referring to local matters, lie s.-tid the petition for the extension of the tram line to'Marlon had not met with a favourable recommendation in the House, but (ioverninent opposed it. He hoped that later this connection would l>o allowed. The whole question of light railways must, be dealt with, and he hoped Government would move in the matter, but failing (hat he intended to introduce a Bill to facilitate the construction of light railways througho" l " the Dominion. He favoured n 'Foj.ton Harbour rate rather than a YVaneanui Harbour lew.

Mr. .Newman concluded by saying he would never cease to feel grateful for the confidence reposed in him at last election. He felt the responsibility of the position, but hod tried to do what should be done. (Applause.) A vote of thanks to Mr. Newman and the chairman terminated the meeting.— "Rangitikei Advocate." MR, J, ALLEN AT HAMILTON. INTERFERENCE WITH ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE. Mr. James Allcu, M.P. for Bruce, and the first lieutenant of the Opposition party, delivered a public address at Hamilton on Tuesday night. Tho .Mayor (Mr. J. A. Young) presided, and Mr. W, F. Mnssey, Leader of the Opposition, was present. The attendance was large. Tho member for Bruce declared that the Government had been guilty of consistently ignoring the people's representatives in Parliament. As an instance ho. referred to the construction of the Midland Railway tunnel, at a cost of .£750,000, for which Parliament had never been asked to pass legislation. The same course was followed in connection with the gift of a Dreadnought, the newspapers only, and not the people's representatives, being consulted upon the matter. It had since transpired that thero was no occasion lor this hasty action. Ministerial extravagance, Mr. Allen asserted, had been proved conclusively by tho reduction of Civil Service expenditure to the tune of a quarter of a million without impairing efficieney. Dealing with finances, Mr. Allen condemned the legislation passed in regard to loans to local bodies, who now, he said, had to pay sinking fund which was previously paid by the Government. The Public Debt Extinction Act he dubbed a ridiculous measure. Prior to the passing of the Act the payment in the way of sinking fund was ,£129,105; now it was •£140,000.' For the whole of the accumulated debts there was only a difference of ,£11,000., Tho whole thing was humbug. Referring to railway construction, the speaker emphasised the fact that to-day it cost .£2OOO more per mile for railway construction than it did in 180S..

Referring to land matters, Mr. Allen said the Government policy was weak and vacillating. If Hie Government iras not prepared to stick to a clear cut policy they should resign and give someone else a chance. The Iline charges, he contended, had been proved to the hilt. In the Flaxbourno and Te Akau cases the action of the Government, ho said, had not been clear by any means. Mr. Allen said that our courts of low had not been kept as clear as they should have been. He made this statement in full confidence. It v;as a wrong thing for a young country to in any way interfere with the administration of justice. It was interfering with those dispensing justice, if they were offered emoluments which were not emoluments of office. Our Judges and magistrates should be free from such interference, but anyone who knew anything about it knew that such interference had taken place, and that those who had charge of affairs in >>"ew Zealand had not acted clearly in respect to those administering the law. In. conclusion, after dealing with defence and other.matters, Mr. Allen claimed, that'advantage was being taken of the "Black Pamphlet." to work upon the sympathy of the public in view of the approaching election. The present Government, lie contended, had failed to prove itself, and the people would be justified in declaring for a change at the polls.