PARLIAMENT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 402, 7 October 1911, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

[BT TKLEGIIAFH. —I'RKSS ASSOCIATION". ] Wellintgon, Yesterday. ESTIMATES THROUGH. The House met at 2.30 p.m. The Scenery Preservation account of £BBSO, the Public Trustee account, of £32,930, the Government Insurance account £63,249, the Government Accident Insurance account £7llO, the State Fire Department account £15.9637, and the Native Land Settlement account £350, were put through and the House rose at 2.55 a.m., having finished the Estimates. The Joint Library Committee recommended that the Parliamentary library should have a department for the reception of manuscript and other records connected with the early history of New Zealand, and that some provision should be made in the supplementary Estimates to assist in its collection of desired material. The committee urged that the Government should favourably consider these proposals. Mr Russell urged that the matter of securing a national historical collection was a most important one. The Government should move in the matter at once. There were numerous channels through which interesting and important documents could be secured for the country, and the matter should be pursued with the utmost expedition.

Mr G. W. Thomson said the proposal of the committee was deserving of the serious consideration of the Government.

Mr Fi=ber said the Government should erect some suitable building for the reception of these works. The Hon. D. Buddo, in reply, said the Department of Internal Affairs welcomed any additions of historical works and no opportunity was lost to add to the collection.

The House went into Committee to further consider the Estimates. On the Lands for Settlement account, £9446, being taken, Mr Massey contended that as the accounts were presented, the House nad no chance of finding out how the various acquired estates were being administered and whether they should be labelled credit or loss.

Mr Buddo said the administration of states was m the hands of tne Lands Department. The success of an estate was not based on one year's return. Mr Luke thought the Government Should b? congratulated on the fact that during the past year 1 4,399 3cres had been acquired under the Lands for Settlement Act. Mr Fisher asked why the Government should make a rebate of rent to farmers, and not to workers, who really needed it. Mr Isitt said a rebate of 10 per cent, to farmers who paid their rent regularly was iniquitous. I'iider the 999 years' lease, men who vrere holding land at a pepper corn rent, were saving 3 0 per cent, by paying up on the due date.

Mr Fisher moved a redaction by £2 of the item for land purchases salary, as an indication that if 10 per cent, rebate were given to farmers, it should be given to workers. Mr Buddo, in reply, said the matter of rebates was based on the existing law.

Further utterances of the Minister were drowned.by the buzz of conversation of members. Mr Ell said married men could not go into the country to work, as no provision was made for the housing of their wives and families. Under existing circumstances married labourers had to keep two homes going. Mr Rhodes said he would allow a country worker to advance, step by step, till he had acquired the freehold.

EVENING SITTING

The House resumed at 7.30 p.m

Mr Fisher's amendment was ruled out of order, and the total Lands for Settlement account was passed. The State Forests account, £23,397, was next taken. Mr Scott moved a reduction of the salaries item, as an indication that a scientifically trained expert should be procured, to take charge of State

forests. The amendment was negatived and the total vote passed, the committee proceeding to consider the Defence vote of ££384,574.

Replying to questions the Minister said it was not the intention of the Government to establish a small arms factory in New Zealand, li'ight field batteries were expected to arrive in New. Zealand shortly. There was not a man getting less than 8s to 93 a day and quarters. There was not one man over'll being enrolled at the present

time. Replying to Sir A. Guinness tne Minister said the Government was not going to abandon prosecuting those who failed to register. Each case would be dealt with on its merits. The total vote was passed unaltered. The New Zealand State Guaranteed Advances account, £479,502, was taken.

After midnight Sir A. Guinness asked why holders of land in mining districts were called upon to pay land tax and a ratiing tax, if the land was, as the valuators stated, worth nothing. _ . Mr Poland said mining townsmps should be notified if the Government considered they were not worth

grants. Hon. J. Millar stated that the Advances to Settlers Board was entrusted with the expenditure of public money, and if a man cculd not show good security he could not get money. Competent valuers were employed, and the money was lent in accordance with the valuation, but the board was not going to lend money on property which was absolutely valueless. The Government worked on the reports in its possession and would not be justified in advancing one penny on Waihi property. The valuators had to report whether the districts were per-

manent, and if not, there was no advance. The Advances to Settlers loan was greater last year than ever in the history of the Dominion. The vote was passed. The State Coal Mines account of £268,715 was then taken. Mr J. Duncan moved a reduction of the vote by £1 as an indication that the importation of coal should be discouraged. The amendment was negatived by 30 to 14.