PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9, 4 September 1912, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3,

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, September 3

The Elections Bill.

ilr TJoII moved the committal of the Legislative Council Elections Bill, and in his speech anticipated the amendment of which Mr Ormond had given notice, namely, that the Council, having reaffirmed the principle of election for that body, it is not advisable to proceed further with the Bill, in order that the electors should have time to consider tlio proposals in the measure. The Minister urged that as the Council had decided on the principle of election, the question of method of election should bo decided in committee. The postponement■ oh the question ,would, postpone not only the details hut the principle also. It would , be 'of value to'the country if election by the people wore rejected and secondary election preferred to know that fact, and the majority by which the decision was arrived at. It would ho far more in keeping with the die jnity of the Council that it should proceed to deal with a matter which it had declared should be given effect to than to postpone it till a time when many members- would not have the power of considering the question. He considered that those lion, gentlemen who held their seats by appointment should themselves consider this question of reform. Ho failed to see in what way postponement for a year could enlighten tho people on the subject if tho matter were not discussed in its details. If it wore the opinion of the Council that the matter should bo at an end for tin’s year, no one could deny their right to so decide, but consideration should not lie denied to the reasons bo bad advanced.

Hr Ormond said that the question was simply whether they would net achieve their end hotter by delay than hy immediate action. The Council wore in favour of the voice of tlh<> people, hut other grounds had not been alarmed hy the people. The division of the country into two electorates war not desired. On the franchise, too, there was disagreement, and the people had a right to ho consulted on those points. As to how an opinion con!. - ! ho gained before next session, lii'O contended that members of the House would have to meet their constituents, and thus in some way some opinion from the people would he gained. Ho did not think the Government would make appointments to the Council while this measure was under discussion. To send the Bill to another place now would occupy much valuable time that should he given to other important matters.

Mr Rigg seconded the amendment, though he was opposed tn it, hut he felt compelled to vote for it, as lie did not wish the Bill to become law. Messrs Wigrarn, Paul, Steward, Longboat! and McCardle favoured consideration of tlbo details in committee. The debate was adjourned and the Council rose at 5.80 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.1)0 p.m. Valuation of Land. The Prime .Minister gave notice to introduce the Valuation of Land Amendment Bill. The nunanga Purohaso. The Prime Minister brought n;> a report on the purchase of the Rnnanga property, and it was referred to the Lands Committee for consideration and report. The Estimates. line House wont into committee on the Estimates. One item of C7IHO for the House of Representatives was passed. On the Department of Finance vote of £5!,.‘501, Mr Witty asked v. hen the Government proposed to increase the graduated income tax. Mr Allen replied that it was not intended to deal with the subject this session. The vote was passed. Class 111., Post and Telegraph Department, £1,051,024. —In answer to

a, quosiion, tlio Postmaster-General naid that ho hoped to increase the supply of motor cycles for rural deliveries of letters. Mr .Russell asked the Minister if the Government were utilising fencing posts for running telephone ivircs. Such a method of establishing Hiks, he continued, would he of immense benefit to the backblocks settlers. The Postmaster-General replied that it had been found that the system proposed by Mr llusscll would ]ot work, and ho could not recommend it.

The total vote for Post and Telegraph, £1,051,624, passed unaltered.

On t!io next vote—working railways —Mr Ell moved to reduce the vote i.y £l, as an indication that racenorses and polo ponies should not he carried free on the railways.

Ah' Homes said that- tlic same principle was adopted on most of tlie* railways of the world, it Imi rip generally recognised that a very large body ol people went to see the races, and they were very profitable to the Department. The concession only amounted to about CbOOO. Its removal wo ml hit the smaller class of owner, ;\ho wont to country meetings. It w-is, generally speaking, a concession to the smaller clubs.

Sir Joseph Word considered it would ho a groat mistake to carry Mr Ell’s amendment. The object of the radways was to secure business, and if that could he done by giving a concession in one direction, so as to ' get business in another, that was a proper thing to do.

Mr Ell’s motion was lost on. a division by 41 to 11.

Mr Homos, replying to criticism, said that the question of the extensions of line was one for consideration. Under the public works estimates the Minister for Railways had nothing to do with the cost of construction. All he had to do was to try and run the railways, when handed over to the working of railways department, at a profit. The whole question woidd he gone into as soon as time permitted.

Mr Robertson moved an amendment that the item of £23,848, relating to the traffic branch, be reduced by £l. as an indication that children under live should lie carried'free on the railway, and children under fourteen at a quarter of the ordinary second-class faro, if accompanied by their parents. \ Mr Merries said that ho recognised that the question was a .burning one, and had to be considered., The proposal was a device to encourage popple to have large families. He, must resist it. It would mean a, doss of £50,000 a year. He had to miike 3;! per cent., and on the present a rrah moment Iho would only i have £50,000 I;It over to meet emergencies. -He -cou 1 :1 tallc that risk. Much as he might deaj.rc it, he could snot! advise the lEouse to take the risk Hof going balbw- ■: 3(| , ‘n m i ./ Min'

per cent. Your by year they ha-,1 to (ro before the English money-lenders, who naturally wore not competent to judge the situation. Mr Massey said that the Government opposed the proposal because it could not afford it. Mr Millar had done his best to make the railways pay a fair rate of interest on the cost ol construction and on money borrowed for building railways, and he was fairly successful in doing so. ."When Mi Millar went out of office the country went to the other extreme. Concessions were made in all directions, and were still being asked for. He hoped that the motion would not bo pressed, as tike Government really could not afford it. He would like to add that his party was wholly in sympathy wit h the motion, and hoped to make alterations next session.

}lr Hanan thought that the concession should I)e granted, and pointed out Hint the present Government, when in opposition, had strenuously advocated railway concessions.

RAILWAY VOTE PASSED. Wellington, September 1. fn tlio House after midnight Mr Robertson’s amendment to reduce tbc Railway vote by £1 as an indication that children under five years of age should bo carried free and that children under U years should he carried at second-class quarter rates, was lest by 3G votes to 21. At 1.20 a.:n. Mr Russell moved to report progress but the amendment was lost by 3/ votes to IS. Mr Ell then moved a further amendment that the vote bo reduced by £1 as an indication that freights on fond stuffs should he reduced. On a division, the amendment was lost by 3G votes to IS. After further discussion the vote was passed and the House rose at 2.10 a.m.