PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 183, 24 July 1908, Page 2

PARLIAMENT

XHUKSDAY, JULY' -a. HOUSE OK ItLPKESENTAXIVES. By Telegraph —Press Association. Wellingon, Lust Night. Tliu House mot at 2.30 p.m. Th» Farriers' Bill No. 2 (Air. Major) was introduced mid rend a lirst time. The Eilueiition Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor's Message and read a lirst time.

The financial debate' was resumed by Mr. K. G. Allen (Chalmers), who approved the Budget, and expressed gratilieation at tliAiew land settlement proposals. He was glad teachers' superannuation was to he placed on" the Civil Service basis. He went on to show that the Liberal Government were the best friends of the farmer, and had fostered the dairy industry So that we ran Denmark close on the London market. He supported the increase of the naval subsidy. Volunteers should he encouraged. lie was glad an amendment of the Education Act had hcen brought down.

Tlio Hon. C. 11. .Mills said the financial position was satisfactory, though I we bad been affected by the American crisis. Money must be borrowed to develop a young country. Hevenue, he said, was under-estimated. Customs would yield much more than they anticipated. The sugar remissions had not, in his opinion, been of very great benefit. He supported the visit of the American licet. Credit was due to the Prime Minister for the Advances to Settlers Act, the most beneficial measure in the Statute Book. Workers' homes were, too pretentious and rents too high. Regarding the importation of Oregon pine, he claimed that the sawmiller was the pioneer of all bush settlements, and deserved, together with those dependent on him, t'lie Government's protection. He regretted there was no mention of the South Island -Main Trunk line in the Budget. He congratulated the Government upon taking over the Manawatn line, and hoped soon to see a smart ferry service to Picton.

Mr. Field (Otaki) referred to the price of wool. He said not only was the wool king alfected, but the small farmer also, the hitter very severely. There had been a fall of ol'lier products, and money was scarce. He urged the Government to give fanners instruction in sheep farming, and the necessity for protecting sawmillers. If local industries were killed by American competition, prices would be bumped up. The House rose at 5.30 p.m. and resumed at 7.30 p.m. Mr. Kymes supported the freehold, lie advocated n comprehensive Local Government Bill. National annuities and old age pensions should be consolidated. He supported the special land settlement proposals. Mr. Graham followed. He justified borrowing for necessary development. So long as the railway paid 3 per cent, the policy of concessions should continue. He advocated cuition. If t'lie capital advanced to settbrs were £lO,000,000, no further borrowing would be required. The Government could not now meet requirements. He appealed for railway and harbor extension at Nelson. Mr. Jennings said his district was one of the most go-ahead in the Dominion. He justified borrowing. He nppealed for more schools in the backblocks. The Maoris were not lazy. We should treat lliem as men and give them a fair opportunity. Sir William Steward said that indirect taxation fell too heavily on the worker. The ordinary land tax should be abolished. The fanner should be taxed in proportion to his income. The sugar tax should not have been abolished. It would have paid for loading in the backblocks, increasing teachers' salaries, and improving internal defences. He supported an increase in the naval subsidy. The struggle between the East and West would inevitably come. He supported the special land settlement proposals and roading the backblocks. ISrjinch railway lines must be provided to enable settlers to use the trunk lines.

Mr, Hogan said taxation did not bear heavily on working classes. He said the increase of the public debt for expenditure on reproductive works was justified. Regarding industrial arbitration, Mr. Hogan said any law placed on the Statute Book must" be enforced. He opposed the tax on Oregon pine, saying importations were insiguiiieant and did not seriously nfl'ect sawmillers. The increased duty was wanted by the timber ring. The debate was continued by Jlr. -Major. The House was still sitting when the telegraph office closed.