House of Representatives.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 317, 3 December 1910, Page 5

House of Representatives.

Mr Massey resumed his speech on the Public Works Statement. Sir J. G. Ward replied to Mr Massey's strictures on the Water Power scheme and ventured to think that the result of putting one water power scheme into operation would be that the country would insist on all the proposed systems being carried out. Ho denied that tb? Rank o( New /'eaalnd had underwritten the .<.'.."<,Odii.dno. It had been done by the great financial houses in England, at '.'l\ per cent. The Premier quoted returns of the revenue for eight, months lo November 3rd, I'.UO. showing a total increase for the period of .Ui i-">,'.»:'.('. Me predicted a lower rate of interest would prevail in the near future than had been the ease for seven or eight years past, which would lead lo increased industrial activity. No condemned the suggestion that a railway line should be carried on in piecemeal fashion. The system now being followed was a sensible one. Thirty miles of the Stratford-Ongaruo line would be constructed in two and ahalf years. Mr Herrie? said the financial operations were in many respects satisfactory, though he considered Sir Joseph Ward was too hopeful as to the results of the loan. The debate on the Public Works Estimates was continued by the Hon. T. Mackenzie, who said the tourist traffic to Mt. Cook" was now showing a profit. The traffic had been doubled. The Estimates passed without amendment. The Council's timendments in the Maori " Washing Up" Rill were agreed to. The Supplementary Estimates were brought down and the House adjourned at -J. at) a.m. till 10.30 a.m.

The House met at, Kl.l'da.m. and went into committee of Supply on the Supplementary Estimates. Replying to Mr Allen, who asked what, was the position in regard to the San Francisco mail (service. Sir •). (I. Ward stated he had cabled the Canadian Premier, offering .i.''J(),ooil a year subsidy towards the service. lie had also cabled the Fderai Prime ?wn> ister to the same effect, but owing to the Commonwealth not being aide to agree to vessels calling at Auckland no arrangement could be come to. The whole matter was standing eve)' until efforts could be made to tiring the three countries into line. The Dominion could not acree to join in any service, unless the steamers called at Auckland.