PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 119, 17 June 1909, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Wednesday. The Council met at 3.30. The Attorney-General moved that the Council, at its'" rising, adjourn till Monday next. The Attorney-General moved the second rending of llie Public Revenues Act from the House. Till' Hon. .lenkinsnn urged the importance of building a harbor aad dock at Westiport or Point Elizabsth capable of receiving a Dreadnought. It mattered not if it cost five or ten millions, it would be a reproductive work.

The Hon. Jones commended the Government on its proposal to settle native lands. He urged activity in the resumption of estates. If objection were raised to the Premier going Home on the score of expense, he would give him £ SOO or £IOOO, and it would cOs't the country nothing. The Hon. McCardle spoke as to the urgent necessity of settling native lands.

The Hons. Baldy and Lorghnnn approved the action of the Government in offering a Dreadnought. The Hon. Paul was pleased to know the Premier was going to do something immediately to provide work for the unemployed.

The Bill wag read a second time and put throupfb its final stages, aad the Council adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES In the House after midnight, llr. Massey's amendment was lost by 43 to 25. Mr. Massey had moved an amendment to clause 2 of the Finance Bill that "September 30" foe substituted for "October 14."

'After further discussion the Bill was reported unamended, and the Hous* rose at 1.35 a.m. llie House resumed at 10.30. QUESTION'S AXD REPLIES.

In reply to Mr. Taylor, the Premier said the Government would go into the question of granting old age pensions to people possessing homes, without reduction.

In answer to Mr. Jennings, tbe Premier said he would make full enquiries into tile question of provision for old Boldiers, and set up a permanent body to make recommendations, otherwise there would be no finality in the matter. Mr. Taylor asked if, in view of the amount set apart for the increased rolling stock, the men dismissed from Addington would be reinstated. , Sir Joseph Ward said he could give no assurance (beyond the fact that if sufficient work offered tiey -would fee taken on again. Mr. Massey regretted the attack by Sr Joseph Ward on the Wellington memiers. They could have obstructed and did not.

Mr. Allen said the Opposition had no desire to injure the State coal mines. The Hon. Hogg, in reply to Mr. Massey's statement regarding roads in Ekeiahuna, said he had not used his' position in furthering these. Mr. Fisher condemned the Premier's insinuation regarding the alleged hostile demonstration on bis departure. Mr. Poole referred to the police force lad said the liquor traffic was its greatest enemy. He hoped reforms would be made. THE FINANCE BILL. The Premier moved the third reading of the Finance Bill.

Mr. Taylor denied that capital was being driven out of the country. Sir Joseph Ward replied to the criticism of the Government finance and said the Dominion was' able to provide against a financial crisis. Reference had been made to £BOO,OO reserves. This sum was invested in gilt-edged securities and was unpledged. The Opposition was simply repeating ancient history. ,Mr. Mass'ey denied that the credit of the' country' had 'been damaged by the Opposition. It was true that money was leaving the country and it was impossible for the Government to replace it Members of the Opposition had a right to ask for votes for their districts even if they condemned the present system of finance. He instanced the expenditure on unnecessary- roads in Mr. Hogg's electorate. Referring to the police, Ire eaid it ik quite evident there was something wrong, and he hoped the Minister of Justice would look into it. He contended that the railways were paying one per cent, less than tlie interest on the cost and that State coal was being charged to them at double the price to private customers in order to make the mines show, a profit. The Hon. R. McKonzie denied the accuracy of this statement. The railways were paying less than the public. Tie House rose at 1 p.m. and resumed at 2.30.

Sir Joseph Ward, said objection had been;made to the investment of £BOO,OOO of Swings Bank deposits in Home securities. He held this was a proper thing to do. The money was free and unpledged and absolutely secure. The face value of these securities to-day was .£868,000. ADVANCES TO SETTLERS.

3ir. Massey denied that the Opposition was in favor of increasing the rate of interest on advances to settlers by a half per cent. The Premier said the member for Taranaki had advocated an increase of a , half per cent, on advances to settlers. Mr. Okey explained that he had said 5t ■would te better for settlers to pay a half per cent, more than be left without money.

The Premier said Mr. Okey made that Statement knowing the Department bad advanced £1,700,000 during the last year. The BiH was read a third time on the voices.

; The report of the Native Land Commission of 190!?-was ordered to lie on the table and be printed. THE DEFENCE QUESTION.

Mr. Jlassey moved, tint the House being satisfied that the existing volunteer system has proved inadequate for the defence of the Dominion, is of opinio! that it should be replaced by universal training for defence purposes. It would ix> a good thing if the Premier eould tell the Conference that Sew Zealand wa* not only prepared to assist tiie'lmperial Xavy, 'but to defend ourselves. The Premier suggested ttm( as he had already intimated that the Government intended to submit proposals providing for defence, it would be better to allow the motion to pass without debate, on the understanding that no one wap Wind by it. The defence system would have to lie materially altered. He had already (prepared faro Separate schemes. Mr. Wllford asked Mr. Massey if he would accept an amendment as follows: —After the word opinion read: "That gome system should be initiated by which tbc defence of the Dominion be sffecti»*ly carried out." Mr. Brown seconded the amendment. , Mr, Bjnesell moved the adjournment • of the debate till the 21st October. This , ■would leave members free to discuss the proposals to J>e placed before the Bouse by the (lovernment. Mr. T. E. Taylor supported the molion for adjournment. On the motion for adjournment being put, it wi« carried by 44 to 2D. ORNERAU :. The, report of the Commission on the workshops wan ordvred to lie on' thp table and be printed. The Speaker announced that the C-in—H had passtd tire Financial Bill *• ■ ''-.:t amendment. message was read from Judge Pi'euuergast, Deputy Governor, announcing his' assent to the Bill. 35ffl Premier farewelled the Mous;. «■•*! Mr. Massey said he was confident Oie Premier would represent the Do- ! trillion ereditably. Tlie Speaker returned thanks for the felicitations of the Premier and the deader of tte Opposition and said he . ito 8B all is thf ir places next .*( i ion. 00. the motion of tlie Premier, the -House adjourned till 2.30 on Friday. • The ffonse rose at 5.2(1.