HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 23, 19 October 1901, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Foiday, 18th October. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Mr. A. L. D. Fraser asked the Post-master-General whether bis attention had been called to a press cable from Melbourne whioh had appeared in that morning's paper, giving extracts from an article tn the Melbourne Agt on the attitude of New Zealand in regard to the Australian-New Zealand second Pacific cable. Sir Joseph Ward stated that tbe article generally was incorrect. He pointed That Queensland telegraphs were now Commonwealth telegraphs and were not controlled by the Queensland Government. (2) There was now no necessity for New Zealand to have another cable from Sydney to Auckland, the Pacific Cable section, New Zealand-Norfolk Island, and Norfolk Island-Queensland, gave an alternative route and a more efficient eable circuit bit ween New Zetland and Australia even than the one from New Zealand to Sydney, the length of the cable section being shorter and capable of doing more work. (3) Tbe New Zealand Government would have no control over the Pacific cable except through its representative on the Board. (4) Generally it was absurd to suggest that cable business from any part of Australia for the Pacific cable shomld ever pa»s over a eable to New Zealand. Even if there were half-a-dosen oablee available such a route would only b» taken in the event of the QueenslandNorfolk Island one baing interrupted or overloaded. (5) Tbe paragraph about New Zoalind at her own expense providing the staff for tbe PaeiSo cable and the landing place in New Zealand was equally absurd and incorrect. In reply to Mr. HutchesenSir Joseph Ward said he hoped the Pacific cable would be in working order wrhin twelve months from date. The Land Tax and Income Tax Bill, and Government Railways Deptrtment Classification Amendmeot Bill were brought down by Governor's message and read a first time. In reply to a question Sir' Joseph Ward said the Government Railways Superannuation Bill would be circulated this session and stint to the various railway staffs for consideration. Tbe Waimate Hospital DU riot Bill No. 2 (Major Steward) was introduoal and read a first time. Mr. Seddon informed the House the* if the Paymentof Members BUI passed it would come into operation at once. On tbe motion of Mr. Seddon, the Speaker was directed to issue his warrant to the clerk of writs to make oat s new writ for the election of a member for Patea. Leave of absence for a week vat granted Mr. Hanan on account of ill. health, and for a similar term to Mr. Stevenson aooount of urgent private) business. The amendments made by the Legislative Counoil in tbe Money Lender* Bill were agreed to.