THE COUNCIL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1556, 27 September 1912, Page 8

THE COUNCIL.

IMPREST SUPPLY BILL, The Legislative' Council met at 2.30 yes-, i- terday afternoon. 5 , Imprest Supply Bill No. .5 was received - from'the House and was passed through £ all stages. <. The Hon.- W. BEEHAN, : speaking on •. tho second reading, asked the Hon. Mr. I Bell nhon the Council was to'bo given s an opportunity of discussing the policy I of the Government outlined in the Bud--5 get as had been promised. He was sorry ' that thoy had not had this opportunity, but he recognised that the conditions of the present session were unique. . The Hoii. H._D,. BELL said,he thought it would be convenient for a general de-. "bate to take place on the Land Bill. The Hon. J. E. JENKINSON took tho /opportunity of urging that tho Government should give more consideration to the secondary .industries of the Dominion than, had been given in the past. He ■ , . also remarked on the suggestion made bv. thet.lndustrial Association that the Gov-' ■ ernment , should, accept the offer of the Ethelburga Iron Company for developing the Parapara iron deposits. He could not understand any body of business men asking the country to countenance such a ridiculous scheme. Shortly, the scheme meant that tho.syndicate should lend tho Government ,£650,000 for five years at 5 per cent.- To his mind the proposals wero so bald and absurd that they would not be considered .by tho Government, but at (ho same time £e felt that hi. should ask tho Hon. Mr. Bell to exercise his influence in, Cabinet to prevent any such oiler being accepted. The Hon. C. M. LUKE also spoke . .against the offer of tho Ethelburga Com-' pany. being" accopted. The Hon. W. C. F. CAENCROSS said he was against a high protective tariff. New Zealand could never become an exporter of its manufactures. The Hon. J. BAER dwelt on the fallacy .of encouraging immigration while the country was unable to retain the immigrants here and provide employment for them. The Hon. "W. "W. .M/CAKDI.E, referring to immigration, said there was room in the North Island for a large number of capable dairy workers. There were thousands of pounds waiting to be invested in this industry as soon as the holders were * assured that the necessary labour would be available. Several other members contributed to the debate. The Hon. H. D. BELL said he did not intend to reply in detail to the many points raised during the debate. Tho . various speeches would be reported in Hansard and would be valuable there. A FORFEITED SEAT. - The Hon. O. SAMUEL gave notice of his intention to ask the Govermnent if it. *ill' allow. Mr. Wi Pere, who. forfeited ' his seat in the Council recently, through being absent from his Legislative duties for longer than the prescribed time vto complete his term of office, which had two years to run. Mr.'-Samuel explains that Mr. Wi Pere arrived just as the Council adjourned at tho close of the short session and was delayed on the Star - of Canada, which went ashore at Giaborin ii . *(i fchq boguming of tho Ettsflttfr ejpWDi