PARLIAMENT.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 7 August 1912, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

Parliament reasembled on Wednes* day afternoon, and the Prime Minister (the Son, W. F. Massey) announcer! that the Hon. Thos Mackenzie had been appointed to the High Comrnissionership m London. He expressed the opinion that Mr Mackenzie would do crebit both to him-< self and the Dominion in carrying out his new duties.

When the House met on Friday notice of intention to introduce the following bills was given : Dilworth Trustees Act Amendment Bill (MiMyers), Auckland University College Amendment Bill (Hon. A. L, Herdman), Shipping and Seamen's Amend • ment Bill (Hon. F. M, B. Fisher); State Fire Insurance Amendment Bill (Hon. F. M. B. Fisher), Licensing Amendment Bill No, 2 (Mr W. H. D. Bell),

Among the bills read a first time were the Game Act, 1910, Amendment Bill (Mr Hunter ). Waitemata County Council Empowering Nurses' Eegistration Bill (Mr Payne). The usual Sessional Committee were set up without discussion.

QUESTIONS AND REPLIES, Mr. Coates (Kaipara) asked the Minister of lands, Whether it is his intention to offer for sale the timber in t;he._ Waipoua Forest Eeserve and adjoining Crown lands, consisting of approximately 300,000,000 feet of milling-timber? [Note—This is the largest kauri-timber forest left in New Zealand, and by the encroaching settlement great difficulty must be experienced in protecting this valuable timber from fire, and, moreover, unless timber is procurable several mills now employing many expert mill-hands will be forced to close down, and it will further re-.! lease for closer- settlement purposes pome 40,000 acres of good land.] The Hon. Mr. Massey (Minister of Lands) replied, The Waipoua, which I is the last remaining large kauri forest in the Dominion, contains 22 000 acies and was the subject of a special investigation by Dr. Cockayne, F.R.S,. one of the greatest botanical experts in Australasia, during 1908, and his report thereon was duly laid before Parliament. In consequence of his representations as to the remarkable value of such a magnificent kauri forest, and the desirability of preserving it in a state of nature, tiio Govn eminent has consistently deolined to entertain an}' proposal to sell the timber therein, and so permit the destruction of this unique national asset. In doing so it is acting on similiar linos to the Governments of the United States, Canada, Germany, etc., who preserve such national parks as the Yellowstone, Yosfimite Valley, etc., for the benefit of posterity as well as the preseat generation. There is however, a very serious danger from fire which cannot be overlooked, and as settlement increases the Government realize this danger is b'-comino-greater. Inquiries will be made and report asked for as to whether it is possible to preserve this forest, and when the report comes to hand the matter will have the careful consideration of the Government.

Mr Coates asked the Minister of Public Works, when it is his intention to hand over to the Railway Department the railroad from Te Han a to Kaiwaka ? [Note— When recently in Kaipara the Minister was understood to say that the line would probably be handed over on Ist July.] The Hon. Mr Fraser (Minister of Public Works) replied; By arrangement with the Railway Department the formal opening of the new line has been deferred until the spring, but in the meantime all settlers' traffic, both coods and passengers, is b^ing carried by this Department.

Mr Coates asked the Minister of Public Works, whether it is the intention of the Government to authorise the extention of the Kaihu Valley Railway to Donolly's Crossing, a distance5 of four miles ? [Note —This extension will bo the outlet for approximately 300,000,000 feet of millingtimber, and will provide an outlet for Ivaiui, Oranoa, Tutamoe, Mangatu, and neighbouring settlements, carrying- v population of 300 people ; and opening up, approximately, 40,000 acres of Crown land at present in virgin state.]

The Hon. Mr Fraser (Minister of Public Works) replied, the timber to which the honourable member for Kaipara contends this line would give ace ss is strictly reserved at present; hence the. main justification which the member urges for the. • further extension of the railway is non-existent. The line would also be a difficult and expensive one to construct, v