PARLIAMENT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9469, 11 June 1909, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

i HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Per Press Association. ■Wellington, Jane JO The House met at 3 30. PETITIONS. A numb r of petitions were presented asking the Government to take steps to procure suitable young domestic service. NOTICES OP MOTIONS. 1 Mr Forbes gave notice of motion to move the address-in-repiy tomorrow. Mr Herd man gave notice of the introduction of a Bill amending the Public Service Act. Sir Joseph Ward gave notice of motion for nest Bitting day that Mr Wiltord be appointed Chairman of Committees and that the Standing Orders be suspended to allow Government business to be given precedence on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and that the Commission on the timber industry be granted permission to sit during the sitting of the House.

Mr Massey asked whether there was any probability of the Commission being able to report during .the present session. Sir J, G. Ward replied in the negative. The Speaker put Sir J G. Ward’s motion that members of the Commission on the timber industry who are members of the House be granted permission to sit during present session, and the motion was agreed tc on the voices.

Referring to the report of the judges in the Dunedin North election petition, Mr Allen said steps should be taken by the Government to prevent the loss of ballot papers. Sir J. Ward replied L that in the case referred to the officers had taken every step to sheet home the offence, but without success. He would be glad to take further steps in the direction indicated. The Expiry Laws Continuance Bill was read a first .time. THE LATE HONE HEKE. On the motion of the Premier the House passed a resolution of regret at the death of Hone Heke, and that the condolence of the House be sent to the relatives. Sir J. G. Ward paid a high tribute to the departed member, who was highly respected by all members. Mr Massey endorsed the Premier’s eulogy, and referred to the good work done by Mr Hebe for the native race. Mr Parata outlined 'Mr Heke’s public career and its aims. Heme te Rangihiroa also eulogised the late member. Sir J. G. Ward moved the adjournment of the Hvuse till 10.30 tomorrow morning. Mr Massey asked at what hour it was proposed to adjourn to-morrow. Sir J. G. Ward replied that the Government would submit proposals to the House that it was not intended to ask the House to sit later at night than 11 o’clock. The House rose at 5.10. Wellington, June 11. The House met at 10.30. Mr Herdmaii, in introducing his Bill dealing with the Public Service, said its object was to remove existing abnses. The service was stuffed with officials totally unable to carry out the duties of the pnblio service. A Board should be instituted. The unsatisfactory state of the police in Wellington was due to political influence.

The Premier denied the sincerity of the Opposition iu proposing reforms. They had made demands on the Treasury amounting to several millions.

Sir Joseph Ward denied that the retrenchment scheme was an admission that there had been waste in the past. The Main Trank line had necessitated an enormous number of officers, who were not needep now. If a non-political power was set up it would be like a judge of the Supreme Oourt end superior to Parliament. The responsibility of Government in the matter of retrenchment was great, but it would put the financial position of the country on a sound basis. He denounced the attempts made to create the impression that New Zealand was on the verge of of bankruptcy Mr Massey denied that the Opposition had attempted to damage the credit.of .'the country. It was the action of Ministers themselves. Mr Hogg for example bad advocated paper money. He defended Mr Herdman’s action and denounced the present system as'vioions and corrupt.' There was intense dissatisfaction with the railways. They were not paying and it was political influence which interfered. He did not suggest going back to Commissioners as there should always be a Minister for Railways.

Messrs Fisher, Wright, MoLern, and Duncan also spoke, and the Bill was then ordered to be read that day fortnight. The House rose at 1 p.m. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Per Preen Association. Wellington, June 10. The Hons. James McGowan and 0. H. Mills, the newly-appointed members, and the Hons. J. Holmes and J. Marshall were sworn in. The Attorney-General made a brief reference to the death < of the Hon. Beke and a motion of condolence with his son was passed. The Council adjourned until 10.30 on the following morning. FRIDAY, June 11th. In the Legislative Council Mr McGowan moved the Address-in-Reply. He said he would refer to one or two points only. The Imperial Defence Conference was the most important ever held. He landed the action of the Premier in offering a Dreadnought. New Zealand should be proud of the genius of the man who had done the right thing at the right time. We should pay a fair share to the upkeep of the Navy. . Mr Mills seconded. He said New Zealand’s subsidy to the Navy was insufficient. The Dominion was short of capital and he advocated borrowing for legitimate purposes. Messrs Wigtam and Sinclair supported the Dreadnought offiffer. The latter said the offer was wotrh more than its money value. Mr Luke welcomed and supported the Dreadnought offer. It was, he said, desirable for the Premier to go Home unhampered by fear of what might happen in Parliament in his absence. Mr Anstey endorsed the remarks of the previous speaker,, and suggested the development of natural resources to find employment for the workles*. Government had done noble work in land settlement, but more could he dr>n«. 1 Mi MoCsrdie heartily approved the

Premier’s going Home and the adjournment of Parliament in the interval. He looked upon him aa a great man in whom every confidence could be placed. Dr. Findlay congratulated the mover and seconder on their appearance in the Council. He was pleased at the unanimity regarding Government proposals The motion was agreed to and Council rose till 3,30.