PARLIAMENTARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2235, 12 November 1907, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WELLINGTON, Nor. 11 Tlio Honso met at 7.30. NEW BILLS.

Tho Premier gave notice to introduce the Chinese Immigration Amendment Bill and the Divorco Act Amendment Bill. Tho Railways Improvement Authorisation Act Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor’s message. In reply to Mr. Massey, the Premier said tho BUI provided for £150,000 for duplication of works at Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Tho Bill was read a first time. The Fisheries Conservation Act Amendment Bill (Mr. McGowan), tho Mining Act Amendment Bill (Mr. McGowan), and the Barmaids Abolition Bill (Mr. Ell) wore road a first time. •Mr. McNab gave notice to introduce the Co-oporativo Dairy Companies Bill. DISCUSSION ON THE ESTIMATES.

•On tho motion to go into Supply, Mr. Massey regret ted the Minister for Public Works had not made a

speech defending his actions. Ho also protested against the delay in bringing down tho Public Works statement. Ho contended it was unfair to members and local bodies, who were unable to completo their works boforo the wot season came on. He contended that the Public Works Estiniates should he brought down not later than August, and not when seven months of tho financial year had -gone. Ho added that if Parliament showed a spirit of independence /this delay would not occur. He noted that the estimate for roads and bridges had been reduced from what it was in previous years, yet this public work was most important for the country. He knew of no conditions such os existed in tlio North Island. At the close of the wet season the roads only existed in name, and he had yet -to see the vehicle which could travel over- these •roads or horses that could draw the vehicle. The Government had, lie said, during recent years, been in tlio habit of voting £SO for fen miles of country roads, and expected the people -and members to be satisfied with such votes. He had noted, Qio added, that money was voted to boroughs for street purposes whilst the country was crying for roads to settlement. Referring to the Manawatu line, -lie saw no objection to this being taken over, as he recognised it was portion of the Main Trunk railway. He advocated the speedy connection of Taranaki with the Main. Trunk line when it was completed, and urged that a vigorous policy should he adopted in regard to the Gisborne-Auckland line. More work should be carried on by contract labor, and particularly in regard to the construction of viaducts, til regard to co-operative workers, he contended they should be allowed a free hand so long as they did their work to the satisfaction of the engineer in charge. Continuing, he advocated that companies -and municipalities Should be allowed ,to utilise water power that was now' running to waste. If the Government were to give a little encouragement to private enterprise, not only in this respect but in others, it would he much better for all parties concerned. 'Referring to the telephone system, he contended that the expenses were too heavy in regard to settlors, and a little generosity should be extended in this direction. Referring to future Estimates, Qae urged that a schedule should he prepared showing details of expenditure and -who had -ashed for same. SPEECH BY THE PREMIER. The Premier agreed with Mr. Massey that a system which would admit of the Public Works Estimates coming down ■ earlier would be better, bu t if that were to be done it would mean Parliament would have to meet in February and tho financial year terminate at the end of December. He pointed out that they must have tho financial statement -and policy measures out of the way before the Estimates could be brought down. He combatted the statement that the money for roads and bridges was being reduced. He stated that £554,551 was being devoted to .this purpose, which, with the exception of two years, was the highest -for 21 years. If any Government exceeded that amount they would be doing a very unwise thing for the country -as a whole. Proceeding ,lie said that £27,000 of tho vote for the Tourist Department was for roads, and these roads were hot for tourists alone. The revenue from the Tourist Department last year increased over the preceding year by £26,000. He defended expenditure in this direction, as the tourists passing thirou"h the country benefiiitted it to ia large extent, and the Tourist. Department had * been doing good work for the country. Some 9684 tourists passed through the Dominion last year, and assessing their expenditure in the country at £SO per head, this meant an expenditure of £484,000. Referring to the Manawatu railway undertaking, he said lie had refused to negotiate for this railway on a share basis. There was no sentiment about the matter, and the Government did not intend to talco .advantage of any technicality. Referring to tlio railway policy, lie was pleased (Mr. Massey had taken up tho attitude he had, as the development of railways was a most important matter for the country. Next year he would pay attention to tho Leader of tho Opposition’s remark in regard to railways lie lad mentioned. Ho defended the apportionment of money that had been mado in regard to railway expenditure, and added that if the Government) were to accede to all demands made in regard to railways they would have to increase borrowing t« aii extent that w.as undesirable. Rs.f erring ot, tho development of Otago, he said ho intended to ask Parliament 'to grant authority for the expenditure of £IOO,OOO for the irrigation of Central Otago. With reference to Mr .Massey’s suggestion as to building viaducts by contract, he agreed with .him to a large extent, but there ware cases where no roads existed, and the Public Works Department had to carry on the work, otherwise they would have got no tender, or tenders would ■be so high as •to be impossible to accept. Referring to the telephone system, he said that if tlio Government were to dispense with guarantees they would have demands for wires where they would not pay for the next 40 years. Reverting to the Estimates, he contended they were clearly set.out, and easily understandable. Ho was at a loss to understand why the Leader of tho Opposition should say ho could not understand 5 per cent of tho roads and bridges vote.