PARLIAMENT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 494, 24 August 1912, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

- THE BUDGET DEBATE. PRIME MINISTER IN REPLY. | lIV TKI.KCIIAVIi. ntKSS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Friday. In the II on ho in the evening Mr Coates, continuing, said it wan desirable to reduce the Customs duties on necessities of life. lie thought the change of Government would make for progress. Mr Hindmarsu criticised defence matters at length and pointed to the increasing expenditure. He understood £BOO,OOO had been recommended by Commandant Godley. He would like to see an enquiry held and all papers produced. The ofiicers of no other department; were paid a a those in the Defence Department. Nepotism was goin \r on in the department. He asked what chance the son of a working man had of becoming an ollicer. A council of defence should be immediately act up by the House. Who could justify, in :t country like this giving the commandant absolute power.

Mr Lee condemned the action of the Mackenzie Government in committing the country to the last loan, and also entering into the Parliament buildings operations. The money wasted on the latter could have been spent in the back blocks where so much attention is needed.

Mr Lang dealt with defence syßtems. Ho held that; those who wero not prepared to serve should not be put in gaol, but should be assisted from the country. With reference to tho graduated tax, he thought should apply to all wealth, and not land alone.

Mr Buchanan contended it was impossible to do without borrowing altogether. He [jointed out, that while last year our income increased by .£7:55,000 our expenditure increased by.£970,000. Our expenditure had not been kept within the same proportion as income.

Mr Atmore said he did not believe in class legislation, but there was danger of that form of legislation coming into vogue under the present Government.

Mr Massey, replying, said tho watchword of tho Uniform party waa progress and progress. Everyone knew that tho change of Government had been in tho boat interests of tho Dominion. It had been marked by improved conditions in trade and comnirccG. Referring to the Mackenzie loan, ho said tho intercut paid waa tho highest for many yearn. His Government did not intend to footer any movement to increase tho cost of money. Referring to the question of tariff, hu naked if it waa a fair thing to expect the Government to deal with such a huge matter within a few weeks of coming into office. The Opposition could not neo anything wrong with the HudgeL If they saw anything 'good in it why did they not come over to his Hide, and help the measure through, as some of tho i more enlightened of the party had done, Hi a party wan out to give effect to all reforms they had advocated. Years ago they were out to stifle graft and political patronage, and if it could not bo successful in that connection they were prepared to go to tho people. Ho referred to the post office loans, and said depositors did not logo one jot through the recent post office loan. Referring to tho national debt, ho said Government was not going to pile up debt, but were going to borrow sufficient for public works and the development of the country. On tho land question he eai.l ho would sooner submit to a resolution to the House than not fulfil his obligation. He set out the planks of the parly's platform and said lie intended to carry them out.