PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 218, 20 October 1909, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER II). LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL By Teicgraph.—Press Association. Wellington, bast Night. The Council resumed this afternoon. The Hon. Paul resumed the debate on the Address-in-Reply, and dealt main'y with labor questions. He thought some scheme should be devised to prevent the recurrence of the unemployed difficulty, and'suggested three remedies: Insurance, extension of labor bureaux, and facilities for bringing men and land together. Something should he done to prevent land speculation, which was the curse of the country.' Though the labor laws were good, they required vciy many amendments. He believed the only way to prevent unfair competition in shops would be by a universal closing Act.

The Hon. George approved the Dreadnought offer. If the Militia Act were enforced, the Dominion would soon have an efficient laud force. Old age pensions should be placed a sound financial basis, and the re-impositiou of the sugar duties would provide the necessary amouus for the fund. He believed the settlement of the land would have a beneficial effect on the settlement of the unemployed question. . The Hon. Uallan considered the retrenchment scheme of the Government very courageous. He disapproved of the proposal to have all matters re succession duties dealt with from Wellington. As to the argument that the settlement of the people on the land would be the panacea for unemployment, he pointed out that there was a large number of working men among the unemployed who would never go upon the land. The debate was adjourned and the Council rose at 4.40 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The House met at 2.30. The Address-in-Keply was continued by Mr. It. Scott (Tuapcka), who expressed satisfaction at the growing desire for the freehold, as shown by the speeches of members, lie referred to the Government's decision not to proceed with the construction of the Otago Central lina as regrettable, seeing that 3000 people were concerned whose hopes had been disappointed. Mr. Greenslade dealt with the recent prosecution of an Auckland company company lor excessive moisture in but- ■ ter, and read lengthy correspondence on the subject, which went on to show that the whole incident was the result of a mistake, and cast no reflection on the company. Mr. McLaren, dealing with the laud problem, pleaded for security of tenure lor the workers in towns as well as tor settlers on the land. The land question must be considered from the standpoint of the interest of the State and prosperity. We must avoid the conditions ex isting in the Old Country, where people had been driven to the towns. H e ,t.J. vocated decentralisation of the populition, which would help to relieve unemployment, and the application of the Parliamentary franchise in the elections :n connection with local bodies. Mr. Hine, refcrriug to the denial of the Premier, explained that the crushing plant at Waipuku cost £50,000. He said he intended to call for a return showing the cost of the plant and accessories.

EVENING SITTING. In the House this evening, Mr. Davcv supported the eleetiou of local bodies on ihe -basis of the political franchise On the land question, he was of opinion that the Act of 11)07 had not had had sullieient trial. The endowments under that Act were imperilled by the attitude of the Opposition. He declared that the demand for the ri<»ht to purchase the freehold at the original value was absolutely dishonest and criminal.

Mr. Herdman, replying to Mr. Dnv.-y. denied that the Opposition manufactured evidence to conifcmu the Government there was no need to do that. It was said the railways were paying 3.03 per cent., when they were losing ,£IOO,OOO a year. He favored the railways being under a commissioner. He congratulated the Government on their determination to deal with the land question this session. The policy of the Government as announced by Sir Joseph Ward in America was to find out what the people wanted and give it them. It was the duty of the Government to lead the House,, and not to be driven to give (he people everything they wanted. The Government would never have n policy 6 u long as borrowed money could be used fur sweetening the electors. lie condemned the Govern ments financial methods, which were reckless and extravagant

The Premier pointed' out that Mr. Herdman had ignored in his criticism of linanco the purchase of the Manawatii Railway, and of provisions for advances to settlers of nearly 2'/ 3 millions; consequenllv his statements were misleading.

Mr. G. W. Russell (Avon) defended the system of co-operative railway works, which, he said, stood as a nioniimeat to the late Mr. Seddon, who inaugurated it. lie quoted figures' to show that the labor laws had resulted in increased production lU id improved wages. He upheld the retrenchment scheme as prudent and business-like, l-i rebuttal „f Mv. llcrdmairs statement that companies hud I , .[riven nut of the country, |„. said the business of such concerns had actually increased during the last four years by t],332,13,-).