PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2232, 2 July 1908, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. AFTERNOON SITTING. [Press Association.] WELLINGTON, July 1. Tho Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. . . Hon. C. Louisson moved tho Ad-dress-in-Replv, brielly reviewing the Speech, lie referred to tho advantage to 'Now Zealand hv the visut ot the American fleet, ami approved of the re-appoint-ment of Mr. W. 1. Reeves us High Commissioner. _ He thought a reduction in the pneo ot some countries’ commodities was not a. matter for great concern/ ns the prosperity which had bemi exportenced had placed settlors iii a strong position, and they wore well able to stand two or three lean years. Hon.J. Bigg seconded the Jwldress-iu-Rcply, speaking generally on the Arbitration Act. ; Tho Council adjourned at 4.50 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.30 p.m. The Minister for Labor gave notice to introduce the Arbitration Act Amendment Bill, After tho usual formal business, leave of absence for id week" was granted to Messrs Bollard, Barclay, and Rutherford. Mr. J. F. Arnold moved for a re, turn showing tho 'railway passenger traffic bfitween, Invercargill and Bluff for'tlie two years onded 30th June, 1908, "giving each year separately. The return was, .ho said, of interest to the colony, as showing tho traffic from a prohibition "district to a lionprobibition district. The Prime Minister supported tile motion, which was agreed to. Mr. T. K. Sidey moved that a committee be appointed to consider the present nomenclature of places, towns, and the geographical characteristics in the Dominion witli tho view of suggesting alterations or improvements. The Prime Minister pointed out that residents iii districts in which changes are proposed are very sensitive of alterations, and if a" committee was only to make suggestions lie did not object, but ho could not agree to its throwing a responsibility on the House to talco definite action.

The motion was carried. - . Mr. J. Allen resumed the Addross-in-Reply debate. Ho charged Ministers with only touring the colony on tho eve of the general election, and making promisee respecting railways, roads, telegraphs, etc. Dealing with superannuation funds, he would like the railway and polico. funds placed on a sound financial basis. The latter’s revenue was going down each year, while the House knew little of the others. He spoke at length on the advances for. workers’ homes, and quoted Hansard to show that the credit for such was entirely due to the Opposition. The disposal of land under tho Land for Settlement. Act had not been satisfactory, and provision should be made for lessees at some time _ securing tho freehold if desired. When the finance question in connection with local government was brought- up. tho Government dropped ,it- like a hot potato. He complained that huge sums of money voted by the House year after year for roads and bridges aiul other works was unexpended. Had the votes been expended there would have been no necessity for the Prime Minister’s promise to spend the sum of £1,000,000 for roads in the nextfive years. While this money was unexpended, .it was found 'that the Tourist (Department had expended £6ooo.over the amount voted, and he failed to see that the Department was doing as much for the country as would roads and bridges. Mr. T. Wilford dealt chiefly with defence matters. He thought the Defence Council should make ]irovision for quick mobilisation of corps along tho " lines Jf ; communication. Dealing with gunnery, lie would like to see the Dominion send a team of big gunners to Australia to compete against the Commonwealth: There was precedent for this, he pointing out that. England had sent a team to Canada. He was.o—i.-ed to an increase of tho naval subsidy, believing that the money coukl be better utilised in perfecting our own defences. He was also opposed to the proposed vote for the entertainment of the American fleet, declaring that there was no love lost between the United States and Great Britain. He would strenuously oppose Parliament adjourning or voting money for the ceremony.

Air. F. R. Flatman strongly supported the Government policy.

EVENING SITTING

The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Mr. C. H. Toole, referring to the prosperity of the country, said they must be-cautious against basing, calculations upon boom prices. He regretted Mr. AVilf'ord’s attitude towards the American fleet, and said if the warships were visiting Wellington Mr. AVilford, as chairman of the Harbor Board, would bo taking a prominent part in the welcoming of the officers and crew. He advocated an absolute majority ou the liquor question, and would be sorry to see the Arbitration Act amended. He advocated an increase of salaries to teachers in the outlying districts, and tffiore should , lie greater supervision of prisoners. It should lie seen they were not sent to places to which they were a menace. ■

Mr. H. G. Ell referred at length to hanking matters, controverting the argument that the State cannot afford to have anything to do with banking. He paid a high tribute to the management of the Bank of New Zealand, an institution which had. the patronage of the highest financiers. Why? he asked. Because if anything happened to it- it had the assistance of. the State. He saw no necessityl for a further increase h. the capital of the Bank of New Zealand, and had no hesitation in urging that the Government should increase its hold upon the hank and give the people of the country the benefits of the profits' instead of allowing them to go into the pockets of "rivatc i-harehold-ers who cared nothing for those who had helped the hank. Mr. Jennings referred to the necessity for reading the hack blocks, and advocated closer settlement. He referred to the paucity of schools in outlying districts in the Auckland Education -Board’s district, and, dealing with arbitration matters, said those who had worked the recent strikes wore not true friends of the workers, Personally, ; he should be sorry for the Act to disappear. Mr. D. Reid, jnr., spoke generally on banking matters, contending that the chief danger to a State bank was the political pressure that might be brought to hear on it. Referring to the Bank of New Zealand, ho said he did not think shareholders were anxious for an increase of capital, but the directors thought it was necessary as an ordinary business precaution. Mr. T. D. Davey complained that a quantity of parts required for the rolling stock on the Maim Trunk line lmd been imported, despite repeated promises, from the Government that any work which could he manufactured in the colony would be. Mr. 0. E. Major, after dealing with banking matters, congratulated the Government'on the steps they were taking to extend a cordial welcome to the American fleet. He foresaw great difficulties in any dealing with the Arbitration Act-, hut the House should do its best to make the Act perfect. At 11.45 p.m. Dr. Chappie rose m reply, thanking members for their indulgence in his parliamentary baptism, which made it more pleasant than it might have been. The House adjourned at 11.50 p.m.