PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 164, 2 July 1908, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

•, (Per Press Association.) i LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

I . Wellington, Last Night. jlie.Leg.sla ,ve Council met at 2.30. ino Hon. Mr. Louisson moved the Ad-dress-m-Rep y. |l c referred to the ad™»tytoXenZe;,lali(M,yt,,evi.it a f Ute American licet. JJ« approved the "mntuvnt of the H ul , w! P. Reeves «I.hW,i , r""" B8 """- r - Tl, ° l'rosperitv «I" 1 had been experienced by Now Zea- ««"! l'««l plarod hitlers in a strong my and they v,ere well able tostand two oi three lean years. The Hon. Mr. Rigg seconded, lie snol,-,. Morally on the Arbitration Act I he t'ouiic-il adjourned at 4.50 p.m. HOUSE OF RKPRESENTATIViiS l he House met at 2.30 p.m . The Minister for Labor gave notice to ".tnrfju* the Arbitration Act Amend! Aft"r the usual formal business, leave Jb;-.s. Bollard. Barclay, and Rutl.crA RAILWAY RETURN. . Mr Arnold moveil for a return showj '«g the railway passenger trallic beween liivercargill and the Blutf for the t«o years ended 30t!i dune, l!) 08, givij,..' ••'<•■■" .)ear separately. The return was", "'•said, „ t imerest to the Dominion a.sl.ow„ ls t |„. uallie from a prohibition >l'stnct to a non-prohibition district. the Prime Minister supported the motion, which Ui is agreed to. NOMENCLATURE. : - Mr. Sidoy moved that a committee be appointed to consider the present nomenclature of places, tonus, and geographical characteristics in the Dominion with a view to suggesting alteratiorfc or improvements.

The Prim.- .Minister pointed out that residents in districts in which changes were proposed are very sensitive "of altera!ion, and if the committee was only to make suggestions he did not object, hut. could not agree to its throwing the responsibility on the House to take definite action. The motion was carried.

THE ADDHESS-IX-HJDPLY DEBATE. Air. J. Allen resumed the Addrcss-in-Reply debate. He charged Ministers with only touring the colonv on the eve of the general election and'inaking profuse promises respecting railways, roads, telegraphs, etc. Dealing with superannuation funds, he would like to sec the Education, liailway, and Police funds placed on a sound liiiancktl basis. The hitter's revenue was going down each year, while the House knew little of the others. He spoke at length on the Advances for Workers' Homes, and quoted Hansard to show that credit for such was entirely due to the Opposition. The disposal of land under the Lands for Settlement Act had not been satisfactory, and provision should be made for a lessee at some time securing the freehold if he desired. When the linaiicial question ill connection with local government was brought up the Government dropped it like a hot potato. He complained that huge sums of money voted by the House year after year for roads and bridges and other works were unexpended. Had the votes been expended, there would have been no neccs-

sity for the Premier's; promise to spend a million for roads in the next Jive years. While (his money was unexpended, he found the Tourist Department had expended CGOOO over the amount voted, and he failed to see that the Department was doing as much for the country as would roads and bridges. Mr. Wilford dealt chielly wilii defence matters, and thought th'e Defence Council should make provision for quick mobilisation of corps along lines of communication. Dealing with gunnery, he would like to sec the Dominion send a team of big gunners to Australia to compete against the Commonwealth.

There was a precedent for this, he pointing out that England had sent a team to Canada. He was opposed to an increased naval subsidy, believing the money enuld be better utilised in perfecting our own defences, fie was also opposed to the proposed vote for the entertainment of the American licet, declaring that thine was no love lost between the Km'ted Slates and Great Britain. He Vould strenuously oppose Parliament adjourning or voting money for the ceremony.

Mr. Flalinan strongly supported the Government policy. The I lon-,, resumed at T.IIII.

Jir. Poole, icferiiiig to the prosperity of the country, smd they miist be eaiL tiotis against basing calculations upni boom prices. He regiclled Mr. Wilford's attitude (owards die American licet, and said if the warship were visiting Wellington Mr. Will'onl. as chairman of the Harbor Hoard, woul.j be taking a prominent pari in welcoming the o'llicers and crew. I|,< advocated absolute majority on ihe lh|nor question, and would be sorry to see the Arbitration Act amended. He advocated an increase in the salaries oT teachers in outlying districts. Air. i:il referred al length to banking mailers, controverting Hie argument that the State caiin.it all'ot'd to have

anything to do with banking. He paiil a high tribiileto (he management of the Bank of Xcw Zealand, an institution which had the patroimge of the highest financiers. Why? he a-kail. Because if

am thing happened to ii it had the assistance of the Slate, lie saw no necessity for further increase of (lie capital of the Hank of New Zealand, anil had no hesitation in urging ■ hut the Govcrn-

imut should increase it- hold upon tin. I'auk ami give the people of the country the benefit of its profits instead of allowing them to go into the pockets of private shareholders who cared nothing lor Ihose who had helped the Dank. .Mr. Jennings referred lo the necessity of loading the baekblocks. and advocated closer settlement, lie referred to the paucity of schools in the outlying districts in (tie Auckland Education Board's district, and. dealing with arbitration matters, said those who had "worked" the recent strikes were not the friends of the workers. Personally he should be .sorry lo see the Act disappear.

.Mr. lieid (T'aieri) spoke generally on banking mailers, contending the chief danger of a State Hank was the political pressure that, might be brought to bear on it. Kol'crring to the Bank of N'eiv Zealand, he did not think shareholders were anxious for an increase in capital, but the directors thought it necessary as an ordinary business precaution.

Mr. Davcy complained that a ipianlily of parts required for rolling slock on the Main Trunk line had been imported, despite repeated promises of the (lovcrnmrnl that any work which could be manufactured in the colony would he. Mr. Major, after dealing with banking mailers, congratulated the f.'overuiucnt on the steps that were being taken to extend a cordial welcome lo the American licet. He foresaw great difficulties in the way of dealing with arbitration, but tlie House should do its utmost to make the Act perfect. At 1 ].•).■> p.m. T)r. Chappie ro^s-iore-ply, thanking niomjicrs for l-lic'ir imTfrc*genet in his ParrTnim'ntary baptism, whieli made it more pleasant than it might have been. The House adjourned at 11.30 p.m.