PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 182, 23 July 1908, Page 2

PARLIAMENT

WEDNESDAY, JULY 22. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Lust Night. The Legislative Council met at 2.3(1. The lion. McArdlc's motion that the attention of the Government be called to t'lie long delay in extending relief to a number of settlers who met witlli-. heavy losses through tile great (ires that swept a large portion of the newly settled King country was carried. Tlie Inferior Courts Procedure Bill Acts Jnterpretution Amendment Bill, and Town Boards Amendment Bill were passed through their final stages. The Incorporated Societies Bill and Baw Practitioners' Amendment Bill were postponed until next sitting day, and the New Zealand Society of Account ants Bill until Wednesday. With respect to the Law Practitioners Amendment Bill, the Attorney-General stated he had received from a number of lawl students a request that their positions be more clearly delined, and he desired to consider the question on rising. The Council adjourned until Tuesday afternoon next.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30. Replying to questions, the Goverument said it eould not sec its way toi increase the amount usually voted for the Salvation Army; a Model By-laws Bill will be introduced this session; that instruction had been given to connect the Ureal Barrier and Auckland by cable, and the work will bo put m li'and on the arrival of the material; that there is no objection to leases or native lands from Maoris approved and endorsed by the Maori Band Board be\n<> made a class of security for loans from the Advances to Settlers Office, provided such leases contain conditions similar to those in leases from the Crown in respect of renewal, compensation for improvements, and conditions

of forfeiture; that in the amendment to the Electoral Act a new form of ballot paper will be provided for with one black comer, so as to put beyond all question the secrecy of the ballot in this respect; Unit"in the interests of the public safely the Government could not grant a half-holiday to surface niuovers on the Government .ailways; that the main object of providing the quickest and most reliable means of communication for passengers and mails on the North Island Main Trunk line could not he subordinated to tourists; the time-table mentioned in the Bailways Statement issued last week provided the Best possible service for the people; that the Government could not issue free railway tickets to children under fifteen travelling to school or work; that it is not desirable to formulate a scheme to render assistance to natives living abroad who may desire to return to the Dominion; that until the present system of immigration of British-born subjects fails to

I give satisfaction, it is not necessary to attract immigrants from Germany and other countries; that it is not intended to make the provisions of the Shearers' Accommodation Hill apply 1° sheds w'here less than six shearers are engaged-; that the Government could not abolish the duty on millet and sorghum need; that there is no intention to amend this Land Act this session; that an endeavor will he made to introduce a better system of sheep marking in order to assist in the prevention ol sheep stealing; that the Government proposals regarding superannuation of teae'hers and also as to the appointment of members of Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards will be included in Dills to be brought down: that there was no intention to introduce legislation dealing with university questions; it is not intended to amend the Vnccin-

at ion Act this session. The financial debate v:as resumed by Mr. Arnold (Dunedin South), who said the Budget was satisfactory. Our prosperity was undoubted, and it was shared by the poorer classes, though, tho number of unemployed this winter was greater than in past, years. The Dominion should entertain the American licet. - The administration of the Old

Age Pensions Act required to be looked into. He applauded national annuities. Nobody wanted the repeal of the Arbitration Act. The late unrest was not due to the Act, but to the way in which it was administered. It was quite true there had been talk of coalition between the Government and the Opposition, the idea being that thereby labor could better be resisted. Labor felt it necessary to secure separate representation in the House, as nobody seemed to rare for its interests. The proposals before the country now would satisfy nobody, but a reasonable Bill could'be made out of the one now Before the Labor Bills Committee. ilr. Remington (Rangitikei) said large surpluses had obviated greater burrowing. Unemployed of a kind would always be with us. He spoke at considerable length on socialism. He

advised tint Opposition to road several books to educate themselves oil the subject. The Valuation Department had not placed iictitious values on properties, tie thought it was not wise for the Government, to guarantee the lull amount of money borrowed on the security of laud as proposed under the special land settlement scheme. Many Government members had assisted the Opposition to keep the Hag of freehold Mr. Hardy (Selwyn) said some agitators had been appointed to positions in the Labor Department. These could scarcely be trained officers. The Government Party was nondescript, and the Ministry weak-kneed and limpbacked. Labor only favored arbitration when it was in its favor. He criticised the Ministers individually. The Budget was full of promises, because the Government had not the will-power to resist requests. The House rose at 5.30 p.m. and resumed at 7.30 p.m. Mr. Hardy, continuing, said the combine and tariff had put up the price of agricultural implements 50 per cent, The workers here did not want socialism. The Crown tenants were dissatisfied; tliev wanted tile freehold.

Mr. Barber (Newtown) followed with congratulatory reference to the Budgel. He said'preferential tariff did not favor the Mother Country as it should. Referring to the public debt bogey, he said a young country must borrow mo-_l ney. The workers' homes scheme had been a failure. The special lands settlement proposals meant a transference of freehold from one to many. The Arbitration Act was capable of amendment to satisfy all parties. The timber trust ''ere was putting up prices and keeping many out of work. Non-asso-ciated millers were being boycotted. High prices meant high rents. The dutv on imported timber should be abolished.

Mr. Ell (Cliristehurch South) said the Government must go into the timbermilling industry to break up the ring. The exportation of white pine must be stopped in the. interests of the dairy industry. The tariff' had kept out sweated and shoddy goods. The electors judged the Government by its works. The Government had not climbed down in their land policy. The tariff had not lowered the standard of labor, and the Arbitration Act had not increased the cost of all commodities. Clothes were cheaper now than they were ten years ago. The Government should persevere in the workers' homes policy. Mr. Greenslade (Wniknlo) regretted the attempts to decry our financial stability. Mr. Scddon (Westland) referred to the rosy optimism pervading the Budget, and said if a tax were not put on Oregon pine the local industry would be killed and thousands thrown out of work. The debate was adjourned. The Inferior Courts Proceedings Bill Acts Interpretation Amendment Bill and the Town Boards Amendment Bill were received from the Legislative Council and read a first time. The House rose at 12.1 a.m.