PARLIAMENT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 491, 14 August 1912, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

THE BUDGET DEBATE. MR MACDONALD'S CRITICISM. SUPPORT GOOD LEGISLATION. [llY T]''.l;K<;H.\Fll. — I'HKSS ASSOCIATION, j Wellington, Tuesday. Mr W. D. S. Mac.Donuld resumed the debate on the Budget. A great plank in the Liberal policy was tho opening up of lands for settlement; He was very much concerned in tie land policy of the country. The Finance Minister of the Liberals had always submitted large sums in his Estimates for public works. There never had been such a time for the development of tho back country as the present. Tho timo had now arrived for sound finance, tho extension of tho public works policy,and the settlement of the lands in tho back blocks. Last year two million sterling bad advanced for public works. In thin year's Budget it was stated that tho rents and proceeds from the sale* of land would havo to bo nnftic.iont for public works purposes instead of going on the London market. This, ho regretted. He further regretted that adequate provision not been made for loans to local bailies, and for roads, bridges and other activities, to facilitate the transport of the produco of settlers. It was the bounden duty of whatever Government was in powor

to provide money for the improvement of country conditions. Ho hoped there would bo no retrogrado movement. In connection with railway construction light lines had c been advocated, but grade and curves prohibited the successful construction and maintenance of such lines. That matter should be referred to local bodies. 110 hoped, however, to nee the present system maintained. Mo hold that tho co-operative system was the most satisfactory way of carry in;: out the work. Referring to tho lion. F. M. B. Fisher's statement on Friday that; ,£7500 had been spent. 011 the new Parliament Buiidings and no bricks laid he gave figures up to 2rith ,)une, showing £5454 had been expended. In conclusion Mr Mac Donald staled that if the legislation which tho Government brought down was in the interest o£ all classes of the people, and the settlement of tho land it. would have his support.