THE ENDOWMENT BILL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2220, 25 October 1907, Page 1

THE ENDOWMENT BILL.

A NEW GOVERNMENT MOVE

(Special to Times.) t WELLINGTON, Oct. 24, There is evidently a strong feel-' iug in the ranks of tho Government party against th e Government endowment proposals. This was accentuated last night when a supplementary order paper, bearing the proposed amendment by the Premier, was circulated. As is generally known, tlie Lands Committee of tho House of Representatives, though composed of twelve Government supporters and only three Opposition members, was strongly against the Bill, and struck out the schedule. The Bill without a schedule was, of course, only so much waste paper. Tlio Government, however, have in a somewhat tricky way turned the flank of the enemy by Sir Joseph Ward’s proposed amendment. His

plan is to strike out tho reference in the Bill to tho schedule, and insert instead Parliamentary paper Cl2, presented on October 4th (which, however, is practically identical with tlio original schedule). 14' lio succeeds in this members w ill not now be able to alter the areas or localities of tho endowment lauds, which opportunity they would have liad if the schedule had still been attached to tho Bill. Some of the Government supporters who spoke last night, notably Messrs. Duncan, AY.ilford, and Rutherford, strongly condemned the Government’s proposals. Tho oX-Minister for Lands was very hot on the subject, and expressed surprise that when the Committee struck o.ut tlie schedule the Minister had not come down with a moro acceptable ono. Ho said it was quito evident that no oaro or supervision liad been shown in the preparation of the schedule, which included Oamaru Harbor Board endowments, bringing in a large revenue. Ho described the course that had been followed as a most unconstitutional one. Referring to tho Premier’s amendment to insert tlie area comprised in the Parliamentary paper,, ho said, “That will be earned in one act; there will be no committee. no amendments, no nothing. Why did not the Government go to tiie Lands Committee with an amended schedule?” (Sir J. AVard: You would have method, then.)

“This should have been adopted. It is not fair to me,” he continued, with some warmth ; “it is not fair to my constituents; it is not fair to the South Island. I will make this

known throughout Canterbury, every bit of it, when the elections come round. AYe will zee how it will go. I am determined on this.”

Air. AVilford said that the Bill was only the tlrin end of the wedge to prevent the further sale of Crown land in New Zealand. However, his concern was not very great, for lie ■felt certain they were not legislating for more than five years, and tli.it the present Bill would do more than anything to accentuate the cry for the freehold. AVliile voting for the second reading of the Bill he

YOU Id in committee endeavor to so Iter its shape that its mother would lot know if. (Laughter.)

A SLY HIT AT THE SOCIALISTS. AIT. Rutherford, in tho course of Ims speech, said it was “a screaming farce to call a wretched thing like this an Endowment Bill.” The member for Hurumii had some sly digs ait the Socialists. He said lie did not object to getting Socialists who had a softening influence, but there were also sham Socialists; for instance, lie know a doctor who nosed as a Socialist, but* who took good care to charge higher fees than any other doctor. He also knew a holder of a lease-in-perpetuity who proclaimed himself a Socialist, but would not help the swagger who asked him for. a meal. _ (Laughter.) There was another _ Socialist round here lately preaching the propaganda. He stayed at the best hotels, wore a white waistcoat, and ate olives. (Laughter.) An lion, member: Evidently a man of taste. Finally TIT. TVilford referred to a Socialist who was haranguing a crowd of sever’d thousands in Hyde Park. “Fellow-sufferers,” said this orator, “look at the luiristocr-icy and Hie millionaires basking in the smiles of Royalty when they go to Court, and look at us in our rags and our poverty. What do we get when we "o to Court? —three mouths every time.” TVitil this final sally Hr. ■Rutherford resumed his seat, amidst a smothered burst of laughter.