HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 72, 19 September 1894, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

CJOVERNMENT ADVANCES TO SETTLERS* BILL. SECOND READING CARRIED. The Hjuse met at 2 30. In reply to questions it was stated it would be impossible to close Pariia meat before the 2nd week in October. That Govei nment could not take the initiative in holding a grand National Exhibitiou of Arts, Manufactures and Industries. That it was not desirable owing to the prevalence of phylloxera in Australia to remove the prohibition on the importation of grapes into the colony. That the Government hoped during the recess to frame a scheme to improve the Audit System in the colony. Mr Montgomery resumed the de<ate on the second reading of the Government Advances to Settlers' Bill, spoaking in support of the measure. Mr Duthie opposed the Bill as a dangerous one. Messrs Hogg, Buick, Willis, and Mouteith supported the principle of the Bill but urged several Committee objections chiefly that maximum of loans should be fixed at less sum than £6000 The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. ' " > The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Mr Bell severely criticised the Government Advances to Settlers Bill. Mr G. W. Russell strongly supported the Bill. '• J; Mr Crowther said the success of the Bill depended on its administration. Mr Alien opposed the Bill because it would increase the public debt. Messrs Saunders, O'Regan, and Earnshaw, opposed it because of its borrowing features. Messrs Duncan, W. Hutchison, Pirani, Graham, R. McKenzie, Hall Jones, Parata, Harris and Hail supported the principle of the Bill. Messrs Massey, Buchanan, and Thompson, opposed it. Mr Ward, in the course of his reply, said since these proposals came down private individuals were offering money at five and five and a-half per cent., thus showing they were securing cheap money already. The second reading was agreed to on the voices. The House rose at 2.45.