PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 92, 22 August 1913, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 'V 4 '' • ‘ *■ ; ASSISTANCE TO MAORIS. Wellington, August 21. The House met at , 2.30 p.m. Mr Ngata asked the Minister for Public Health what was being done to relieve the distress among those natives who were compulsorily confined in their kiangas owing to the smallpox epidemic. He pointed out that they were unable to procure food or work, also tht the houses of many had been destroyed or ordered to be so treated. Mr Russell suggested that an appeal might be made to the mayors of large towns for opening relief funds. There could be no doubt numbers of natives were suffering through restrictions being placed on their moving about. The Minister said he believed the people of the country would subscribe help for the natives. The Department saw that none of the affected natives suffered for want of food. Ho had given instructions that all natives concerned should be supplied with all necessary meals. Mr Massey said he would consider a suggestion to approach the public for relief. He believed, however, the Health Department could do all that was necessary. Matters in connection with the epidemic were not nearly as bad as they were a week ago.

THE BUDGET DEBATE. The debate on the Budget was resumed by Mr Ell. A remarkable feature about the Budget and the debate was the complete back-down on the part of those now occupying the Government benches in this respect. One of the most remarkable instances was their present attitude towards the State Fire Insurance Department, which they condemned at) its inception. It was now held up as one of the most successful institutions in the Dominion. The prospectus used in connection with the recent loan was a complete vindication of those who had been conducting the affairs of the country for the past 21 years. The Budget was also remarkable for the paucity of new matter. There ws no new humanitarian legislation. r lho Government was simply building upon the foundation laid by the Liberal Party. The question of developing the water-power of the Dominion remained where their predecessors left it. He compared the increase of the graduated land lax made by the respective Governments, declaring the last increase of the Reform Government was infinitesimal against the made by the Liberals. He defended the expenditure on public buildings by the Ward Government, contending that the growth of tbe Public Service made jthat expenditure impera-

tive. Ho commented upon the unfairness of the speakers, who failed to point out the large proportion of public debt that was interest-bearing or draw attention to the concessions made to the public through the Customs by Seddon and Ward, amounting in the aggregate to £870,000. Had a slump not come in 1909, more even than that would have been done.

The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. The debate was continued by Mr F. H. Smith, who held that the Liberal Party had raised the cost of living to what it now was, and in their hour of death they sacrificed their leader and were now weeping for him to rettrai. Mr T. Buxton contended that there was a greater menace to farmers m the present Cabinet than in the last. What this country mostly needed tfas a, greater advertisement of the quality of its produce in the Old Country. During his recent visit to England ho was greatly struck by the utter ignorance of the people concerning the virtues of New Zealand produce, especially meat. Mr C. E. Statham held that the Government had carried out the pledges given on the platforms before Use elections. He agreed with the induction of duties on household commodities, but contended that the consumer did not benefit, as the storekeeper seemed to get it allMr J. G. Coates hold that given that the lands of the North when cultivated would make' first-class fruitgrowing country, gum diggers should have proper safeguards before the lands were taken for any purposes whatever. Then men now employed on the lands should have first consideration when anything was ai tempted. Mr Massey moved the adjournment of the House, and the House rose .at 10,50.