PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 13, 7 September 1912, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1912. (Per Press Association.) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The Estimates,

The House went into Committee tu further consider the Estimates. On tiie item of ,£G4,7p2 for public buildings, Mr. Pearce asked what cue Government’s intentions were with regard to the maintenance of two Governor’s residences. Ho thought, as tno new Governor was coining out, the present was a fitting time to effect a change, so that only one establishment should exist. Mr. Forbes agreed with Mr. Pearce, and said, to test the feeling of cue Committee on the reduction of expenditure in the country, ho would move to reduce the vote by £l, as an indication that' only one Government House was necessary. Mr. Myers said that the removal of Government House from Auckland would be a crime. The building had been established when Auckland was the capital city, and it may again bo the capital. . . , , . Sir J. G. Ward said that, from an economical standpoint, a •certain amount of expense was essential in connection with the housing of the representative of the King, and ho thought it was a great pity that tins question came up every sessiop. _ . Mr. Massey said that he agfeed with the member for Awarna, Ho thought it was a great shame that the cry of North v. South was continually raised. Ho knew that' there was a great amount of sentimental feeling about Government House at Auckland. An arrangement had been entered into with The now Government whereby the houses would be provided for the Governor at Wellington and Auckland. The Imperial Government had a proprietary interest in the house and grounds. Ho did not think they could interfere without the consent of the Imperial authorities. Sir J. G. Ward deprecated the continued interruption of the passage of the Estmates by the moving of amend rnonts to reduce items. If he had his way, the whole of the Estimates would ho passed in one vote, and the work of the country proceeded with. (Applause.) Mr. Forbes withdrew his amendment.

Mr. Laurenson moved to reduce the vote for Parliament Buildings by £l, as an indication that the Government should, uring the recess, make some enquiry as to whether it would not be wise to shift the capital from it.s present position. Mr. Buddo urged the appointment of a Commission similar to that set up in 1866 for the purpose of deciding upon a capital, the Commission to go thoroughly into the* matter and report to Parliament. Subsequently Mr. Laurenson withdrew his amendment, expressing ms intention to move an amendment at a later date, with a view to getting a division on the question. The whole class, totalling £107.592, passed unamended. Class 6—Native Department, £23,ssl—passed. The Justice Department vote of £400,139 was then considered.

In reply to Mr. Isitt, the Minister said the provision would he made next session for an alteration in the condition of Magistrates. Messrs. Bell and Ha nan contended that Magistrates should be properly trained and properly qualified. Appointment of Justices cf the Pence. Mr. A. L. Hardman, in reply to criticism of the present method of Magistrates acting as coroners, said that the system had worked very well. The question of Magistrates’ salaries deserved serious consideration. He said that it was desirable that Magistrates should have had a legal training before going upon the bench. Sir J. G. Ward asked if the Government would enquire as to the advisability of appointing all members of the House, other than lawyers, Justices of the Peace, if they were willing to accept the position. He understood that, as a matter of professional etiouette, lawyers did not accept the office.

Mr. A. L. Herdman, replying, said that the hunger for the appointment of Justices of the Peace at the present time was amazing. One hundred end twenty had been unpointed since bis Government bad taken office. After the session closed be proposed to go through another list and make appointments. He thought appointments should not be made annually, but ns need arose. Ho could not see why members of Parliament ami chairmen of County Councils should hot be exofficio Justices, of the Peace. Public Defenders. Mr. Russell moved the reduction of the voto for criminal prosecutions by £l, as an indication that the Government should, next session, bring down legislation with a view to providing for public defenders in the Supremo Court.

Mr. Bell thought that there were cases in the Lower Court where the police unduly pressed cases, and ho held that public defenders should begin in the Lower Court. Mr. Hindmarsh said the poorest man could get the best medical attention in the hospital, and ho hoped the time would come when the poorest man, accused of crime, would bo able to command the very best legal advice.

Mr. Hanan said it was only a matter of time when they would have a bureau of justice. He could not see any harm emanating from the establishment of a Crown Defender.

Mr. Hordman, replying, said there was no need for a public defender. The expense of such a procedure was not warranted. No one would plead guilty if there wore a public defender, and the position would he ridiculous. He was seriously considering the advisability of adopting the Poor Prisoners’ Defence Act, which operated in England. He would in all probability ask the House, next session, to place a similar measure on the Statute Books. The total vote passed unaltered. The Mints Department. The vote of £32,237 for the Mines Department was next taken. Messrs. Poland and Colvin pleaded for increased salaries for mine inspectors, and said that the Director of Geological Survey should also receive consideration in that respect. The Minister said that solicitations on behalf of the officers mentioned would receive his careful consideration, when the Supplementary Estimate's came down. The Minister said he would consider the possibilities of a public crushing battery. The vote passed.