PARLIAMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 494, 14 October 1909, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTA-

TIVES

Kaitoke County (Okey), Waipukutau Reserves, and National Sick and Accident Insurance Bills (Guinness) were read a first time. The Hospital and Charitable Institutions Bill was introduced by Governor’s message and read a first time. ADDRESS-IN-REPLY. The Address-iu-Reply was moved by Mr R. W. Smith, Rangitikei. He said the finding 0 1 the Timber Commission was considered unfavourable by all those who desired to see progress in the industry. He read a telegram from millers at Ohaknne, commenting adversely on the report. He highly commended the results of the Premier’s visit to the Defence Conference. New Zealand would have a squadron in its own waters manned by its own people. The loan raised by the Premier was clear proof that New Zealand still had the confidence of the Old World’s financiers. He hoped to see native lands dealt with on the same principle as European lands. He was a staunch believer in the option tenure, coupled with limitation of area. Mr Buxton seconded the motion, and referred to the agricultural prospects which were hopeful. He advocated a scheme of compulsory military service. Mr Massey said that Mr Smith’s was a good Opposition speech. The party Mr Smith now supported had done its best to kill the optional tenure. He agreed with the mover of the Address-in-Reply that the Timber Commission had not treated the industry fairly. The recent financial depression was largely owing to local borrowing, and to legislation which caused large sums to be carried out of the country. After the dinner adjournment, Mr Massey continued his speech, and dealt with defence, which he said he had not the slightest intention of making a party question. Referring to the charge of slanderous statements against the credit of the country ascribed to the Opposition by the Premier, he challenged Sir Joseph Ward to name the persons responsible. The Opposition had played the game fairly. He condemned the pamphlet circulated under the title of “ Lest We Forget,” and bearing the signature of Sir Joseph Ward, which boasted of prosperity at a time when the Government was in financial difficulties. The Premier : “We were never in financial difficulties,” Mr Massey: “Yet you were sacking hundreds of men.” Referring to the Native Land Commission, Mr Massey said he was disgusted with the report. The land recommended for settlement would never be opened in the present generation. Mr Fowlds said notwithstanding Mr Massey’s designations of the Advances to Settlers’ Office as “pawnshop,” one and three-quar-ter millions of money had been advanced. He ridiculed Mr Massey’s statement that there was as much poverty in Wellington last winter as in Great Britain. The Government’s retrenchment scheme was justified. Mr Poole, said there was a feeling of disappointment in the country that the Liberal party was not so progressive as might be wished. Golden opportunities were passed by and the party was in a stagnant state. The debate was adjourned, and the House rose at 11.25 p.m.

Mr Massey has given notice to move, That there be laid before the House a return showing —(o The amounts paid to each newspaper in New Zealand for Government advertisements for the year ended 31st March, 1909 ; (2) the.amounts similarly paid for Government printing, stating to whom paid; and (3) the amounts expended lor advertising New Zealand scenery (a) in this country and (b) outside this country, stating to whom the same has been paid.

Mr Newmats (Manawatu) speaking on the Address-in-Reply regretted that the Speech contained no reference to a new Counties Act. The question of local government had been discussed for many years, and there had been promises of legislation one upon another, yet nothing had been done. He regarded closer settlement as a very important matter, and he had no greater ambition in politics than to see every working man and woman owning the bit of land on which their house stood. He believed that the only way in which this country would bear the burden of debt which it had incurred, and must continue to incur pending its fuller development, was by making the land reproductive, which could best be done in the manner he had urged. Mr Newman defended the Opposition from the charge of non-progres-siveness, and complained of bribes offered by the Government in the form of statements affecting Native leases, and other matters between first and second ballots of the Rangitikei by-election. The conduct of the Government on that occasion, Mr Newman urged, was a sufficient argument against the Second Ballot Bill.