PARLIAMENT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8913, 5 September 1907, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

Por Press Association. .Vj-uisutos, September 4. In answer to questions Ministers Stated no t possible to say at That “ 1 t , lor there will bo any present o( the Municipal amendment {h j s sess lou.. Goriioratiou Hjo ca g o that Mr Dis- • l r,(W Haseldon, whose salary trier, » rear, receives travelling is s „,reat the rate of £1 11s 6d a allowin' t 0 t | ie ex tont of the disday, 0 Courts are held, ex5 r1 5,-„i from New Plymouth to r 3 «rcargilli and including Nelson Mr Haselden is ahnost constantly travelling, and is therefore unable to establish a permanent homo in any one place. Like all other District Judges and stipendiary Magistrates who are required to travel on public service, Mr Haseldon is furnished with an oliiical railway ticket. I am not aware whether Ids wife has a free pass. Air Massey, referring to the reply ro Judge Ilasoldcn’s travelling allowance, said he had boon informed that Mr Shannon was the only officer, in addition to Supreme Court Judges, -who drew 30s a day allowance, yet hero was a man drawing 31s Gd per day. The reply did not say so, but he supposed it meant seven days a week, or a little over £ll per week, in addition to his Salary. The session was proceeding, and Jig suggested that a special committee be set np to inquire into these travelling allowances, as the public had a right to know what was boing expended under the heading of travelling allowances by public officers. Mi T. McKenzie said some prominent public officials travelled about the colony and to neighbouring colonies witii a large retinue, like Ambassadors. Ho contended that if a committee were set up it Should have the right to inquire as to whether these officers were justified in continually, travelling, or Whether they only did so in order to augment their salaries. He referred to the time when retrenchment had to he resorted to, and said if they had to do so again many of the travelling allowances would have to bo considerably curtailed. . - Mr Hauau said it was only right that the public should know what, travelling allowances were authorised mid "why the regulations had been (Waited from in the case of officers wlio had drawn travelling allowances I

lii excess of regulations. Mr Grav said the reply was not strictly correct, as lie was informed that Magistrates paid for tlioir own railway tickets, which were subsequently included in the Magistnitos’travolliug allowances; but in the case of Judge Hasp Idea; he drew Ins travelling allowances in addition to the railway pass., The Premier said the feeling of unrest , was duo to iron, members disseminating through the country matter concerning au officer whose appointment did not rest with the Government. Magistrates did not pay railway faros, and it did ;ndt coma out. of their travelling expenses. The Government did not intend to keep anything back , and lion, members wculd bo informed of all travelling allowances at prose nt paid to’ officers of the services. Proceeding, ho stated there wore seven judges of the Supremo Court drawing ,2s per (lay, ouo Arbitration fclouri judge £2 3a per day, one district Court judge £1 jlls Cd par day (winch was the same as his predecessor, who drew a higher salary), the Auditor-General 80s per day,'Customs expert (Mr Shannon) trade representative outside the colony 80s, (which, ho stated, was the usual allowance granted officers travelling outside, and was little enough, in his opinion, that was 80s per day whilst travelling on -laud and the usual allowance while on sea), one District Court Judge 25s per day, head of Stamp Department £1 Is per day. There were 13 other officers drawing £1 per day, IGB drew 15s, 5 drew 18s, 51 drew 13s fid, 80 drew 13s, and 1 drew 11s. In additions there wore M other officers Chiefly of the Justice Department, who drew' allowances while travelling, the total number being 338. This number did not apply to ordinary officers travelling for a day or so under the railway service. In this service one officer drew' £l, qliroe or four drew 7 15s, and the re maiuder of the railway officers drew allowances according to the published rates.

Arising out of the Premier’s reply to a question put by Mr Aitkeu, that it was proposed to bring down the Fire Brigades’ Act Amendment Bill, Mr Aitkeu said that they had been in session since June 37th and the Bill was not yot circulated. Ho contended that iu|tho case of a conflagration which might cause considerable damage in any of the towns of the colony, owing to the lack of appliances or men, the responsibility must rest with the Government, as the Boards were not able to borrow money in order to pay firemen’s wages or for appliances, and lie could not understand iiow some of the Boards were managing in this respect. He urged that the Bill should bo circulated without further delay. Tiie House thou went into Committee on the Tariff Bill. At Class 12, manufactures of metal— Mr Gray moved that cartridges, shot, 10 to 2-1 bore, be reduced from 2s (Id to Is Gd per 100. He said that the increased duty would only benefit the Colonial Ammunition Company, whereas it would be penalising farmers and others who had to attend to the destruction of birds, etc. The Hon. Millar, opposing the amendment, said half a dozen other manufacturers would start under the duty. Ho added that the Colonial" Ammunition _ Company undertook to keep in the colony sufficient ammunition for the requirements of the Defence Forces. Mr Milford said lie would back the Colonial Ammunition Company’s cartridges against any other cartridges. Mr Fisher said the Colonial Ammunition Company was supplying excellent ammunition,' but was only working half time, au 1 perhaps the effect of tho tariff; would’! bo to keep the factory going full' time. Mr ;Poolo hoped members would ppo their way clear to stand by tho Minister.

The Hon. Millar said that last year 5,651,000 cartridges were imported and 10.140,000 ball cartridges. He thought the whole of tho_ latter should bo manufactured in the colony. The House adjourned at 5.80. The House resumed at 7.30.

Mr Buddo said that the duty on sporting cartridges should be reduced, and suggested that the Government should subsidise the Colonial Ammunition Company. Mr Izard suggested that the duty on cartridges should be ad valorem. “Mr Barclay, in supporting the amendment, pointed out that the Colonial Company’s factory was in a position that could be shelled from a warship, and 'contended that the proper place for a factory, which was relied on to supply ammunition for defence, should be somewhere in the interior.

Mr Hogg, whilst supporting the Minister, thought the duty would interfere with the business ot persons dealing in sporting requisites, as it would decrease the demand for cartridges. Ho suggested that a ro " mission should be given in regard to cartridge cases. Mr Gray said that the duty on cheaper cartridges amounted to 40 per cent and higher priced E cartridges 25 per cent. He considered that the industry should bo able to progress with that protection, and if not, he suggested that the Government take over the factory. He hoped the Minister would meet the public in the matter. The Hon. Millar said he had the assurance from the manager of the Colonial Ammunition Company that the price of cartridges would not be advanced if the duty was put on. If the duty was not retained, the machinery for jthe manufacture of sporting cartridges would bo transform! to Melbourne, and that portion of the industry would bo closed dowu. " The amendment was negatived by 43 to 23.

At cartridge cases, Is 3d per hundred— , ' : Mr ' Izard moved an amendment that the duty he reduced to 9d. He ■said no question of protecting the Colonial Ammunition Company arose in the case, as they did not manufacture whole cases, hut had to import the cap. The Hon. Millar said the company manufactured the whole of the caso. Mr Herries moved that the duty of 5 per cent ad valorem on mining machinery he sirnck out, to enable mining machinery and engines 'to ho placed on the fiee list, as it had been fer years. After further discussion Mr Herries’amendment was carried by

33 to 80. Hollowing was tho division —Ayes, 33: J. Allen, Bennett, Bollard, Colvin, Dillon, Duncan, Field, W. Fraser, Greenslade, Guinness, Hall, Hardy, Heko, Herfies, Hornsby, JenningsJSLang, “Lethbiidge, Lewis, Mackenzie, Major, fMassey, Malcolm, Okey, Pol-nd, Reid, Reining on, Ross, Rutherford, Seddou, Symes. Noes: § Aitken, Arnold, Barber, Bnddo, Carroll, Davey, Ell, Fisher, Fowids, A. li. D. Fraser, Gray, JJHanan, Hogg, Izard, Kidd, Lawry, McGowan, McNab, Millar, Poole, Sidey, Stallworthy; Steward, Tanner, Ward, Wilford, Witty and Wood. Mr Major moved to place oil refining and oil boring machinery on the free list. Negatived [by 40 J;o 3G.