PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2255, 29 July 1908, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

CABLE NEWS

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. AFTERNOON BITTING. [Press Association.] WELLINGTON, July 28. The Council met at- 2.30 p.m. Tho Addross-in-Roply was convoyed to the Governor.

Hon. ,J. Burr gave notice to movo to the effect that the Government should consider the question of devising 'further, practical means ol lessening tho cost ol' living now borne by married workers, so that the rearing of children may cause less anxiety than at present, and parenthood bo thereby encouraged. Tho Incorporated Societies pul passed through committee with slight amendments. The Council adjourned till » o’clock. EVENING SITTING. The Council resumed at. 11.30 p.m. The Imprest Supply Bill was received from the House, ami the Bill was passed through all stages without amendment. The Council rose at 11. Jo p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.30 p.m. . Replying to Air. Witty, tho Minister lor Agriculture said that a strong wish on. the part of members lmU delayed the gazetting of the now dairy regulations, and new; licenses would proceed without waiting lor tho gazetting of tho new* regulations. Tho Premier laid on t-lio table the return asked for by Air. Lsard, anu mentioned that the amount advanced to local bodies by the Public Trustee during 1900-06 was £27,000, and £27,500 tho following year. The Government Life Insurance Department advanced respectively tho same years £16,550 and £11,200. The total amount advanced to local bodies to date bv the Public Trustee was-£140,2J0, and bv the Assurauco Department £180,603. al , A debate ensued upon the report by the Public Petitions Committee on tho petition for a grant for the improvement of tho roads in tho Ot-au Block, Auckland. The Premier condemned tho principle of getting tho conimitteo to report favorably on petitions asking ior expenditure oil roads, bridges, and railways as absolutely reprehensible. The Government gave every consideration to public works proposals, but would not give precedence to any recommendation of the committee. The presentation of the petition, ho declared, gave no 'superior right to consideration. Tho applications coming in were far ill excess of the appropriations. . Air. Massey disclaimed any attempt to obtain advantages. The settlers had the right to petition Parliament, and it was the business of members to do their best for their constituents. He contended that all applications for works should go before a committee. Air. F. AI. B. Fisher moved an amendment to the effect that all petitions for the expenditure of public money be referred to the Government direct.

After further debate, the Premier said he never wished to deny the right to petition the House, but he desired to make it clear that it. was unfair to give the impression that with the petition in Parliament the petitioners would be specially favored. Applications for work expenditure should be made direct through local bodies or members. Chaos would result if, the Government gave •uecedence to requests by petitioners for expenditure. Air. Aiassey declared that under -.he present system, which was bad md corrupt, thousands of pounds ■were spent and worked to ensure political support. Ultimately the amendment was lost, and the report was ordered to lio on tile table.

On the report of the committee on the request from Taumaranui for a separate school for European children, which stated the committee had 10 recommendation to make, Hon. Geo. Fowlds, replying to * criticism, protested against racial distinctions leing made. The policy of the Dcxirtmont [was that as soon as European children , .attending native ichools exceeded the number of native children, such schools were handed over to the Board of Education, ’mt lie was strongly opposed to separate schools, holding’ that tho inte'■sts of both races were consulted by bringing the children together in the same schools. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Oil the motion to go into Committee of Supply on, the Imprest Supply Hill No. 2, Air, James Allen urged the necessity of making adequate provision for the defence of the Dominion. The garrison artillery, without ■i proper field force and a proper coastal defence were valueless. Alore harbor defences were required and more 6.7 guns. It was the duty of every citizen, to help in the defence jf his country, and make himself fib to do so. r , Mr. T. AI. AVilford contended that a citizens’ army was indispensable, ind quick mobilisation absolutely necessary. The next war would be fought in European waters. Our contribution, or proposed contribution must be given in a spirit of a soil helping liis father. Air. F. AI. 13. Fisher scathingly denounced the volunteer service as utterly inefficient and valueless. The transport system was, quite inefficient, and numbers of inefficient infantry corps were kept at tho expense of artillery, ambulance, and transport.. Air. C. E. Alajor said that great consternation would be created if the Government came with a proposal to spend two or three millions to reorganise and equip the force. Tho Premier dissented from tho viow of eome of the members, that we wero at the mercy of any foe descending upon our shores. Any foe attacking ns were attacking Great Britain. In view of our small population such an expenditure as that suggested was out of the question, even if tho Japanese alliance was not renewed, blit members overlooked the “entente cordiale” between Great Britain ■ and France, which indicated the coining together of two great nations for mutual advantage He read a letter he had written to tho Governor on March 16th, to the effect that the Government proposed to increase the naval subsidy to £IOO,OOO as from October Ist next, and that no conditions were imposed as to the situation of the fleet or the direction thereof by the Admiralty. He reiterated his view expressed at the Coloniql Conference that tho British navy was the strong right arm upon; which we had to rely. Public opinion, lie maintained, was not yet ripe for a citizen army, any private attempt at which would set hack the volunteering system for a long period. On, the motion to go into Committee of Ways and Means, Air. Aiassey criticised the finance and borrowing of the Government, maintaining that It was improper for the Government to lie stockbrokers. As to local borrowing, he asserted that when the Premier said ho had only borrowed l.i millions in the colony in five years, he overlooked the borrowing from the Post Office at this rate of half a million yearly. He complained of the Government underpaying the best officers, who were snapped up elsewhere instantly, amongst others being Air. Gilruth. Hon. R. AlcNab said he had received no communication from tho officers of the Department indicating dissatisfaction, and could take no notice of rumors. As to Air. Gilruth, lie had received no communication from him as to bis intended retirement. No officer was indispensable. The Premier replied at some length, explaining how conversions are carried out, and denying that any loss had been made on these transaction*. The motion to go into committee was carried, and after further debate on the motion for tho second reading, the Bill was eventually put through its final stages.

' The Education Aimondmont Bill Workers’ Compensation (Hon. J. A. Millar), Declaratory Judgments, Corporation Contraots (Hon. R. AlcNab) Bills wero read a second timo pro forma. The Coroners Amendment Bill passed its filial stages. Tho House rose at 11.45 p.m.