PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1843, 25 August 1906, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL I’RKSS ASSOCIATION Wellington, last night. The Council mot at 2 80 p ra. Tho debate on the Address-in Reply was continued. The Hon. Me Baillie 'dealt with the defences, and said he hoped the suggestion of the Commandant of forces that officers should receive better remuneration would be carefully considered. The Hon Mr Trask congratulated the I lion. Mr Pitt upon being appointed Minister of Defence, and then went on to deal with defence questions, making especial reference ts the necessity for encouraging riile clubs.

Tlte Hon. Mr George, referring to Mr .Ivigg’s suggestion that there should be an Australiasian navy built, said it would ■'j involve infinitely more cost to this Colony T than our defence systen had done In fact he thought the Colony should very largely increase its contribution to the Imperial Navy. He expressed opinion that it would be advisable to have a volunteer corps attached to each school. By this means one would in a few years

have a large and competent force of volunteers. With reguard to Old Age Pensions he would like to see this scheme placed outside of charity. It ought to be considered payable as a right, and he would like to see the pensions made general in application. This could he done by setting aside certain customs duties, say tea, sugar, for the purpose. He hoped there would be no reduction in

the duty upon tobacco. In reference to the tourist traffic, he hoped Government would see its way to induce English companies .to extend the voyages of their steamers to New Zealand. It would, lie was sure, result in a huge increase of the tourist traffic.

The Hoe. T. Kelly approved of tho inteotion of Government to bring native lands into acquisition. If natives were left to deal with thoir lands they would eventually be left in a dosl.t-ito condition. Ho held that tbs pooplo of tho baok b'ooks ought to bo ooDiiderfd before tho tourists. The debate was adjourned on tho motion cf tho Hoo. Mr Miofouald, and tho Ooun od rose.