PARLIAMENTARY. Evening Sitting.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 148, 4 July 1901, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

Evening Sitting.

Legislative Council. [By Telegraph—Press Association.] Wellington, last nigh The Council met at 2.30 p.m. FIRST READING. The following Bills were introduced the Minister for Education and reai first time Hospital Nurses'* Regis tion, School Attendance, Shops Offices. ADDRESS-IN" RE PLY. The lion. J. Kerr moved the Addri in-Replv. lie referred to the uplifting fiuence on the nation of the late Qui and her sympathy with the poor. N Zealanders, he said, were in perfect sy pathy with the new King, and tb loyalty had been magnificently sho during the visit of the Duke and Duchf of Cornwall and in the present w which he hoped would soon be ovi Wise legislation had warded ofl t bubonic plague. The Health Act, whi was one of the Government's best Ac should he strictly enforced. He support the establishment of a State coal mi) He congratulated Sir J. G. Ward on t penny postage, supported the Gover mont’s fire prevention proposals, and co sidered that the employment of nig watchmen at hotels should be made coi pulsory, even if hotelkeepers had to r ceive a concession in another way. Died ing, he said, had been completely suecesi ful in Otago, and he was confident that would he on the West Coast. He eon mended the making of directors equa.il liable with shareholders of mining c dredging companies for the payment t calls. The Hon. J. Feldwick, in seconding th motion, referred to the behaviour of th contingents in South Africa, the excellent 1 of the volunteer force as shown at th Royal receptions, and especially the dis play of mounted troops. The part takoi by New Zealand in fighting the Empire’ battle had the approval of every mai worth calling a man in New Zealand. The ilon. Mr Twomcy, speaking ii support of the motion, protested agains the senseless prejudice against the accept unco of knighthood by honorable gentle men who had served their country well Ho hoped that the State would make provision in the interests of farmers, and that the police superannuation scheme would be extended to all civil servants. All the speakers congratulated the Hon. the Speaker (Sir H. Miller), Sir John McKenzie, and the lions. W. C. Walker and A. J. Cadnrnn on the honors conferred on them. Tho Hon. Mr Walker briefly replied, and tho Address-in-Reply was. adopted. Tho Council rose at 4 p.m. House of RepresentativesThe House met at 2.30. LICENSING LEGISLATION. A large number of petitions were presented, protesting against the proposed licensing legislation of last session. WHAT IS THE COST 2 Mr Barclay gave notice to move for a return showing the cost to the colony of the visits of the Imperial and Indian troops and the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall. SELECT COMMITTEES. Mr Scddon gave notice to move for a select committee of ten members to consider the Old Age Pensions regulations, and also for a Select Committee to consider the Local Government Bill. CONTIIOVKItSIAL HILLS. Mr I .awry gave notice to introduce tho Gaming and Lotteries Bill, and Mr Hornsby to introduce tile Prevention of Women Employment in Dangerous Trades Bill. LEAVE OK AI.SENCE. Mr E. M. Smith was granted leave of absence for one month on account of urgent private business, and .Mr Bollard was relieved from attendance for one week on account of illness. FIRST READINGS. A large number of Bills were introduced and read a first time, including tho Elective Executive, State School Children Compulsory Drill, Libel, Settlors Eire Insurance. Eight Hours, Referendum, Rating on Unimproved Values Act Amendment. Cycle Boards, Shop and Shop Assistants Act Amendment, Bicycle Dealers Registration, Chinese Immigrants Act Amendment, Pair Rent, Orchard and Garden Pests, Public Health Act Amendment, Accidents on Railways Compensation, Government Railways Superannuation, Young Persons Protection, Factories, Police Offences Amendment, and Absolute Majority Bills. 11YK-ELECT IONS. On the motion of Mr Scddon, th e Speaker was directed to issue writs for the return of new members for Christchurch and l’atea electorates. ItKLIKF OF RUSH SETTLERS. In reply to questions, it was stated that a bill was being prepared to meet the difficulties of bush settlers who are now compelled to pay rent and taxes •on the whole of their sections from the date of selection, by exempting them from paying rent until a portion of their soctions are cleared and grassed. OTHER REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. It was stated in reply to questions that throe free beds were being sot apart at Haunter Springs for the use of impecunious invalids ; that the Government had the option of purchasing the four Hotchkiss guns promised bv Armstrong's tirtu to the colony, but the Commandant had advised the Government against the purchase, and as a gift the guns would not have boon worth taking: that a regulation was being prepared relative to the weight of sacks of wheat carried on railways. NEWTOWN PARK SCANDAL. Mr Monk asked the Premier if lie would appoint a Parliamentary Committee to enquire and report on complaints made by Volunteers respecting their treatment, resulting in what is known as " The Newtown Park Scandal.” and also with respect to the language said to havo been addressed to them by Colonel Ponton? Mr Scddon said that this question presented several difficulties. First of all, there was the alleged breach of contract by the contractor for the supply of food to the camp, [which was a matter for magisterial investigation. Certainly, he would not pay for food and services that had not been forthcoming. In the second place, it appeared that some of tiro V olunteers had so conducted themselves as to warrant enquiry under the Defence Act. He complained that the men had never come before hint (Mr Scddon) or the Cotnmtmdant. He intended to appoint a Military Board (one of whom would be Colonel Pitt) to enquire and deal with this phase of the trouble. It ,vas a military offence, and they could not go outside the Defence Act. He (Mr Sodden had heard the Commandant tell Colonel Summerville to strike camp at Newtowi camp and make other arrangements, ant he (Mr Scddon) gave similar authority and Colonel Sommerville passed it on tc the officer in charge at the catnp, but foi some reason or other the order was no carried out. With regard to the language attributed to Colonel Pole-Pentou, M Scddon asked who was to try the Com mandant ? The position was surroundei with difficulty, but probably the Govern ment. through the Defence Minister, shouli ask the Commandant for an explanation He (Mr Scddon) intended to do his duty but he had no hesitation in saying that Parliamentary Committee was not proper tribunal to deal with the matter. SESSIONAL COMMITTEES. The usual Sessional Committees wer set up. At 4.45 the House adjourned till 7.30.

The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Hr Collins raored the Address-in-I\eply. He said he thought it was only natural that His Excellency should refer in his opening speech to the more important of the events that had occurred since last meeting of Parliament. After referring to the death of the Queen, Mr Collins, made allusion to the birth of the Commonwealth of Australia, and ventured the opinion that the welding together of the colonies into a common whole would have considerable influence on the destinies of New Zealand, Although they all wished the

new nation every prosperity, he cou not see his way to commit this colony the loss of its independence by joining i federation. The visit of the Duke ar Duchess of York had _een another impo tant event, and he thought their tot would have great and important resull t. to the Empire. After congratulating S Joseph Ward upon the introduction c penny postage, Mr Collins went on t j, v deal with the questions of defence. H j applauded the New Zealand contingent ;ra . for their work in South Africa, and speakin, of the great review in Christchurch thi other day, he alluded to the great displa; by the cadets, and urged that the militar training of cadets would tend to maki , S3 ' the youth of the colony patriotic,obedient U 1" and good citizens. He noticed, however ■ cn that many of the troops on parade wert ew armed with weapons of an obsolete char-actc-r, and he hoped the defence author! elr ties would see that our Volunteers were ,vn all armed with the best up-to-date 33 weapons. Speaking of railway matters, lr > Mr Collins congratulated Sir Joseph ;r - Ward upon the success of his Department, b° but urged that everything required in the c h way of rolling-stock should be manufaets > tured in the colony. If the present worked shops were not large enough, the neces--1 - sary extensions should be made to meet le the growing requirements of the service. 11 ' He was especially pleased to notice that v the Government was introducing a Rail*t ways Superannuation scheme, and he would like to see the principle extended 3 ' to all branches of the Civil Service. C Mr Collins spoke of the necessity ’■ for opening up new markets for it j New Zealand products. Our exports were '• largely increasing, and Government Y would either have to subsidise lines of r steamers or establish a sea-carrying busi- | J ness on its own account. lie expressed his hearty approval of the proposal to e establish a State coal mine, which he felt 2 sure would have the effect of reducing the 2 price of coal to consumers greatly. He 2 was .’pleased to find that the long hours • worked by “ slaves of the pen ” in meri chants’ offices and banks were to come > under the review of the legislature. It i was absolutely necessary that more adequate provision should bo made to fire i brigades by the State. The Local Authorities Indemnity Bill was a measure that would meet with 'almost unanimous approval. Mr Collins said ho had only briefly touched on the more salient points in the Governor’s Speech, and in conclusion he could only express a hope that good work would be done during the session, and that at its close they would all be able to congratulate the Government on the details of measures which had been foreshadowed in the Governor’s Speech. Mr Wilford seconded the motion. To his mind ono of the most important matters touched upon in the Governor's speech was that of carriage of mails. He said it was to be regretted that the Union S.S. Company had been shut out from the San Francisco service, and ho predicted that there would soon have to bo a radical alteration in the agreement with the Oceanic Steamship Company. In the course of an exhaustive reference to the mail question, Mr Wilfford strongly condemned the present unsatisfactory state of matters in regard to the Sail Francisco service. Breakdowns were of common occurrence, he said; there was no duo observance of sailing dates, while waits were frequent of late. He hoped the Government would tackle the matter as soon as possible, with what at present was a disappointing service. Ho extended his congratulations to Sir Joseph Ward upon the penny postage, and also upon his railways superannuation proposals. Deferring to the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, he said it would draw closer the ties of kinship between the Mother Country and the colony. The significance ami importance of the visit would bo admitted by all. If the citizen soldiors in this country were armed with up-to-date weapons, any foreign country would take longer to overcome our people than it was taking the British to overcome the Boers. When the voto for expenditure in connec- . tion with the Koval visit came up for consideration, ho was sure there would bo no objection to voting the money which had been so worthily spent. Captain ltussoll, in a brief speech, said that the only course left to the Opposition was to individually criticise the policy of Mr Scddon. At a meeting of the party that morning no leader had been elected, and it had been left to each individual member of the party to act upon his own responsibility in future. No member of the party would be greater or lesser than the other. They were now all on an equal footing, which was the spirit of democracy. He congratulated Sir Joseph Ward upon his knighthood, and said that it had afforded him intense interest and considerable amusement during the Royal visit to watch the process by which the two hou. gentlemen, Sir Joseph Ward and Mr Scddon, had evolved, or had been converted from socialist democrats to a clever imitation of much-bedizened society aristocrats. He hoped ho had drawn attention to the fact that there was really no distinction between one sido and the other in politics when they eamo to any little advantages that could begot. The names of Conservatives and Liberals had no force in New Zealand, and were only used for the purposes of misrepresentation. The Hon. Mr Mills spoke of the good work which the pioneers of this colony had done, and congratulated Sir John McKenzie upon his recent honor. There was not ono member who could say it was not well deserved. He also congratulated Sir Joseph Ward, whoso wonderful energy had received only a very mild reward. He was pleased to be in Rotorua during the Royal visit-, and spoke highly of the harmonious relations existing between the two races. The presence of the Imperial troopsin this colony had been a revelation to those who like himself were New Zealanders. The visit of the representatives of the English Press would be of great benefit to us. At Home they were astonished at the progress of ! the colony, and their visit would have j great possibilities for the future in regard j to the tourist traffic. He was disappointed i with the speech of the leader of the Opposition. He had, he said, expected to hear a powerful speech and to his surprise that gentleman had sat down after a very brief address. This showed that the Opposition were thoroughly in accord with the programme enunciated in the Governor's Speech. Mr Mills spoke of the trade with South Africa, and said that there must be for a few years a largo consumption of the natural products of i this country in that part of the I j world, and it behoved those who | had information on the subject to make ' suggestions to the Government as to the j proposal for a State coal mine. He j thought it was high time that the Govern- | ment, as trustees for the people who i owned the mineral wealth, should estab- | fish such a mine. Fire brigades were I worthy of some assistance from the State, j Mr Mills spoke of the success of the land ! policy, and of the necessity for completing | the railway system. He quoted figures to i show that the system ot advance to set- | lers had been a pronounced success, and : that the revenue of the colony had steadily i increased. The Liberal party had not i only converted the Opposition, but were 1 j rapidly converting the press of the colony. ; | Mr G. W. Russell heartily endorsed the • congratulations that had been extended : to the Government upon the continued • success of the colony, upon the penny t postage, and upon the success of the - Royal visit. In regard to the betterment 1 principle and State coal mines, which had . not so very long ago been proposed by , Government, public opinion had forced i the hand of the Government, which aci counted for these measures now being included in the policy of the Government. The Governor's speech stated that the earth hunger still continued, and yet during the first three months of the financial year, up to 31st December, only some L'20.000 hadbeen expended on land for settlement. What was required was some clearly defined policy under the Lands for Settlement Act which would attract a genuine class of settlers. He spoke at '• some length on the land question, and J j went on to condemn the practice of sending s out ot the colony for rolling stock for raild ways. According to information he had >t I received the recent importation of cars and o locomotives left a good deal to be desired, e He wished to call attention to the deparh ture of the Government from sound Demon cratic principles, an example of which he is pointed to the large number of Royal i- Commissions that had been set up during sv the recess. These Commissions were in le reality scouring the colony to find a policy

d for Ministers whose salaries had only reo cently been raised in consideration of n their coping with increased work. He d also complained of the growing tendency •- of Ministers to over-ride constitutional r authority, instances of which he cited to s the House, and he regretted the deparr ture of Ministers from democratic sitnf plieity in favor of bodyguards, knight--3 hoods, and a style of life followed in the 3 Courtsjjof Europe. He considered Goi vernment had acted unwisely in offering ; the recent loan at four per cent., and i denounced the Public Revenues Act of ■ last session. Mr Napier contended that policy of the Government had been one of unchecked progress. The criticism to which the Government was subjected by its own party was, he contended, a sign that they were a live party, and the apparent lack of cohesiveness was proof that their policy was not the policy of Mr Seddon, but of the party as a whole. He did not agree | with the proposed consolidation of local bodies into large and often unwieldly bodies. Ho regretted that the volunteers had not received the amount of consideration which Parliament ordered they should receive. He urged that a trial should be made of the Yaile system on our railways. In his opinion an advantage would in our time be derived from federation with Australia. He combatted Mr Wilford’s remarks on the 'Frisco mail service, and said Government had given a fair field and had shown no favor to the Oceanic Company. Despite all that Mr AVilford had said, he contended that the ’Frisco route was a fast one. If the Union Company would build boats suitable for the ’Frisco service, ho would be in favor of giving it even better terms than arc now given to the Oceanic. Tlie Hon. Mr Duncan moved the adjournment of the debate, and the House rose at 11. GO.