ADDRESS IN REPLY.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 299, 22 June 1895, Page 2

ADDRESS IN REPLY.

The House resumed at 7.30. Mr Pirani moved the address in reply to the Governor's speech. He was glad to hear that the depression wa3 lifting from the colony, and that the exports of New Zealand, notwithstanding the depression that had lasted, .. were most satisfactory. As to the timber trade, he was not so sanguine about this industry, and strongly urged the establish* ment of a Forestry Department to preserve our forests. It was satisfactory to notice that the mining industry had made such progress, but he deprecated any attempt to boom what might be called bo* gus companies on the London market. It was with pleasure he noticed the Licensing Bill wa3 again to be introduced and that an Act was promised providing for a Board of Appeal for teachers. The Railway management under the present Minister was proving very successful, and the lines were now both paying and assisting the settlement of the country. The present Minister of Labor - was dealing with the unemployed difficulty in the right direction, but he (Mr Pirani) considered the question of drink was in a large degree responsible for the unemployed. He regretted that no mention was made in the speech respecting land settlement, and pointed out in detail how the land administration of the colony might be improved. He applauded the proposal to appoint another Minister and hailed with satisfaction the introduction of the Bills to allow local bodies to levy rates on unimproved values. With respect to local government Tie doubted very much whether Government would bo able to pass a satisfactory measure tliis year". He himself favoured a return to modified provincialism without double chambers or other paraphernalia. Ec« specting the customs tariffs they should go no further than removing some of the anomalies and taking duties off the necessaries of life. Mr Maslin, in seconding the motion, said he noticed with pleasure the improvement in agricultural prospects, but he thought some alteration was required in compiling grain returns, so that farmers might know whether there wag likely to be a shortage or not. He was also pleased to see an improved demand ; for timber, but he deplored the reckless waste now going on in our forests. Captain Russell said what had been said about rating on unimproved value he (Captain Russell) had no hesitation in saying the effect of this Bill would bp to make the poorer people suffer, and to let the rich man off. They were told in the speech that the finances were most; prosperous, but they were told exactly the same thing last year, and yet within one week after that the Bank of New Zealand affair was on them. Great kudos has been taken by Government for the success of the Treasurer in floating the loan, bnt how, he asked could Government get credit for adding a million and a half to the debt of the colony, He contended that there was no necessity for an additional Minister if they diet their work as Ministers and not as stump orators. He fully recognised that reform was necessary in local selfgovernment,'and hoped they would bo able to effect useful reform. Aa to the iariff question he had no doubt an,attempt would be made to foist protection on the colony. Hon Mr W. P. Eeevcs contended Go* vernment were, justified in saying there was undoubted rbonj for hope as to a better state of aflairs in the Colbnv, and Mr Ward's trip Home was a large factor iii this improvement' He concluded by thinking the movser and sec» '

„■'---■;.:>■£-:. ■■•■-,■ ■■■::■ ■ . ... . onder for the fair and sensible spceche they had made and that criticism wa likely to improve the Liberal policy an( not to destroy it. Mr Mills moved the adjournment o the debate till Tuesday. It was agreed to and the House ros at 10.40 p.m. :