PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 170, 27 June 1900, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

[PEB PBBBB ASSOCIATION.]

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Tuesday, June 26. , The Council met at 2.30 p m. i NEW MEMBER. The Hon. A. J. Cad man was sworn in. THE ADDBESS-IN-BEPLY. The Hon. Colonel Pitt, in moving the Address-in-Reply, said tbat the social legislation of the past ten years had proved extremely beneficial, and bad brought about the prosperity which was still being enjoyed. The part taken by New Zealand in South Africa had helped to demonstrate to other nations that in tim 6 of trouble the Old Country could rely on the strong arms and stout hearts of colonists. The despatch of five Contingents from N«w Zealand was a splendid performance for so small a country. It was undoubted that if Great Britain went to war with a naval power it would be necessary for New Zealand to look to her defences. He urged that all males of a certain age should undergo military instruction, and that the old difficulty in regard to employers should be dealt with in a decisive manner. There should also be adequate equipment in the way of arms. He spoke against New Zealand federating with Australia, but thought it would be advantageous for this colony to extend its sphere of influence over the islands in the Pacific. What the grievance of the debenture-holders of the Midland Railway against the colony could be he failed to see, though be had no doubt any representations they made would receive due consideration by Parliament. The country would be glad to have a respite from new legislation, but the question of local government needed .to be dealt with.

The Hon. J, Bigg seconded tbe motion, and said that members were wiser in regard to the causes of the South African war than the; were at the end of laßt session, and he agreed withOolonel Pitt that the real question was whether the British or the Dutch should be paramount there. He advocated the training of tbe youth of New Zealand in rifle shooting, end regretted the cession of British interests in Samoa to Germany. The Hon. Sir 6. S. Whitmore referred to the esteem in whioh New I Zealand was held in England, where the name cf the colony was cheered whenever mentioned in public. There could be no such thing as compulsory nrlhary service in New Zeiland. Employ sis should be required to allow their workmen who were volunteers to attend drills and manoeuvres. The Hon. H. Scotland condemned the war us wicked, unnecessary, and cruel. Most of the civilised nations of the world joined in condemning tbe war. The Colonial Contingents were fine and brave young men, but not soldierH, The real soldiers were men of the Scotch and Irish regimonts, who fctoad and were shot down in hundreds for one-eighth the pay. If the colonies had a voice in England's councils they would always want war, because it was profitable to them, lie hoped, cotwithstanding what he had said, no one would be so uncharitable as to say he was less loyal than lees sincere persons. The Hon. G. McL >an pramd the Premier for his actions in connection with the war, and, amid applaus , sketched what the colony had done to help the Empire. The danger from which Natal and the Oapo Colony had been freed by having Great B-itain behind them should not bo without its lesson for New Zealand. Every school boy in the colony should be drilled. It might be that New Zealand would be forced to federate wi.h Australia. Certainly, the Australian Commonwealth would have a great say in auy proposal for the inclusion of the Pacific islands in the boundaries of New Zoaland.

Tbe Hon. G, Janes moved the adjournment of the debate.

The Council, at 4,35 p.m , ad j >urned till 2 30 p.m. on the following day.

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, June 26. Tbe House met at 7.30 p.m. LEATfI OP ABSENCE. Leave of absence was granted to Mr. W. J. Napier and Mr. Kaihau. ADDBESS-IN-BEPLY. Mr. "WithtLrd moved the Address-in-Reply te (he Governors Speech, and prefaced his speech by saying that, with no disrespect to tbe present | (governor, he fepped the dqy would come when the people of the colony | would have a voice in the appointment 'o? a Governor. Ho congratulated the i Premier and Oopt»iu Ku«f;ll on thair 'restoration to health,and eulogised the former for his ac'.ion in ceinont ig 'lie bonds of brothei hood th« colonics and the Empire Ho Hgroed ! with' the proposal in the speech to increase the number ci Ministers, | ivhoso health had in the past sufiered from overwork, and congratulated the | House on the Hon. J. G. Ward's re--1 appointment as Minister, He gave his views respecting the Sin Francisco mail s)aryjce t contending that it should be supported, and that the whole iof the Pacific islands should ba dominated by the English-speaking race. He narrated the steps he had for years taken to that end. Referring to the war in South Africa, he considered every encouragement should be giyeu j to tbe establishment of rifle clubs, 'An important l matter was an alliance with some friendly Power, suchas the United | States, In the past it had been customary to begrudge support to volunteers, but the present war had shown how important it was to ecoourage them. He regretted, however, that so many young New Zealanders had l«ft its shores for South Africa, but, despite the efforts to induco them to seek homes' there, he hoped they would be attracted back, While fhe policy of sending these men to Africa was supported by all in the colony, it would be necessary to make provision for the wounded and the relatives of those who had been killed.

Mr. Field seconded, and complimented tl±e Governor on the great interest he had shown in the affaiis of the colony and the efforts he had to promote its welfare. He agreed with the regret expressed at the attack

made upon the life of the Prinoe of Wales, and joined in congratulating the Hod. J. G. Ward and the Hon. J, McQowan upon being called to tb* Ministerial benchei, while regretting ' the cause that had led to the rettQK ment of the Hon. A. J. Oadman. He I also agreed with the statement that the colony was in a flourishing condition, and the greatest credit waa due to the Premier for the initiative patriotic movement that bad led to the various contingents being sent to Africa. As an outcome of that action it followed chat the colony should be allowed to take a part in the councils of the Empire. With regard to the Pacifio Island question, he regretted that other nations had been allowed to obtain ft footing there, and hoped that an eftort would be made for the more extensive domination by Great Britain of thee* islands. He defended thi Government from the odium that had been attempted to be cast upon it for its fwrtiffn re federation, contending that it was purely in defenoe of this colony's interest that the Government had i»lm the stand it did. He approved of th« vote of £SOOO to the Indian Famine Fund. On the questions of defenoe and railway management, he was ia accord with the Government. The reduction in the Customs tariff was a question of finance, but he hoped that as soon as possible the dutiee onthe necessaries of life would be reduced, net by reducing the duty on a number of artieles by a small sum, but rather by abolishing altogether the duty on tM same. The action of the Government in tbe steps taken to prevent the intra* duction of bubonic plague met with general approval. He deeded the Advances to Settlers Board against the attacks made upon its administration, and also supported the Government in its action with respect to the Midland Railway. He agreed that it was necessary that not only should the number of Ministers be increased, but that the salary of each should also be increased* While looking at the manner in which the Governor carried out his dutiee, his salary was altogether inadequate. With regard to the question of defenoe, be was of opinion that the War Office had shown that the colony w*s in a more sec <re state than had been anticipated if rifle and volunteer clube were better supported. Speaking on the education question, he hoped the Government would see its way to increase the amount of capitation, and encourage technical schools more generously.

Captain Russell congratulated the mover and seconder of the Address for the manner in which they had proposed the motion. He was too old a politician to attempt to traverse the whole of the Governor's address, but would refer to one or two points in it. He was thoroughly opposed to an increase in the number of Ministers and increased salaries for the same. Amongst other reasons against an increase, he cited the fact that the Minister for Lands and the Minister for Defence were absent last session through ill-health,, and the Minister for Railway, for the eame reason, was only able to carry oat departmental duties. Notoneof these members had the good sense to resign their portfolios, and thus allow others to be appointed who would be able to carry oat their dutiec, end yet, in ftoe of these fact*, the Premier frequently assorted that he was able to carry oat the work. He considered that it waa ii mistake that the salaries of Minuter* had been reduced, and considered -.hat the amount pud toprivite mem* bers was altogether out to the sum paid Ministers. The amount paid the latter shculd be increased, but on the understanding that • here should be no mare travelling expenses and deluging the ountry with free party telegrams and services. To iucrcase the uuuiber of Ministers would t>e a danger to the freedom of tbs House. Milliters' health had PQt bi oken down on acpwnt of the amount of work they had to do, but because they had constituted themselves electioneering agents. With regard to the question of dufecce, he did not Approve of the proposal to creat* a military system that would compel the yeung men of tbe colony to go upon foreign service, and believed that if moh a |a; stem were introduced the enthusiasm that had been lately displayed would be wanting amongst volunteers. He hoped that a pension would he given U the wounded and the relatives of tboee who had lost their lives in Africa. The Hon. J. McGowan contended that Captain Russell's speech contained the claptrap they had been accustomed to for the past ten yeiiro, and could not compliment C iptain Russell on the tone of his j enjaiks- about the ill-hea)th of Ministers) which contrasted strongly with the treatment to the present Opposition when they were in power. As to the eh irgas that Ministers spent too much time in travelling about the colony, he contended that it was their •'u>y to do st, and that the people looked for it, as they thereby became better acquainted with the wants eftfye colony. He defended, also, the aetidk generally of the Government in respect to the bubonic plague and with respect to sending troops to Africa, and asserted that the interests of thoss wounded and of relatives of thoee killed would be attended to. Reduced Customs taxation was no doubt desirable, add he approved of the suggestion that in any reductions that were made it would be better to strike off tbe duty on aomt articles rather than temporise by taking a email sum off a number of <)i#ereQt artioles. Speakiog on tjie 'ininirig industry, he aseerted tftajf

it showed great prosperity, and that its prospects were highly satisfactory. Difficulties had arisen with regard to that industry that would require to be ameliorated, and legislation to that end would be introduced. He congratulated the colony on the fact that it was inVlnost thriving condition, and while he would not claim' that the Government was entitled to all the credit for that satisfactory state of affairs, the legislation initiated by it had had a gnat deal to do with it. He referred to the coal measures of the colony, expressing the view that it was the duty of the Government to offer every facility for their development. Mr. E. M. Smith said that if the Government had followed his advice it would hare borrowed a much lugtr sum than it had done, and iwrtwd having a paltry population of ■OO,OOO inhabitants would have been lumbered by millions. With regard li defence, he contended that our young pen should be sent abroad to gain experience and return to give the colony fee benefit of that experience. He nested to officers being brought out Bb Home to control our forces, conBiding that such positions should be Bran to our own young men. He Ktrmly approved the land policy of the Hon. J. McKenzie, and expressed the lope that the latter would soon be well ftnough to take an active part in the lovernment of the country. He con■emaed the slow progress in completing ■he main lines of railways, and asserted lhat he would support a proposal to TJorrow, not a paltay million,, but ten millions, if neoeesary, for that purpose. The~~debate was adjourned, and the House rose at 10.45 p.m.