PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 94, 29 July 1910, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night, WHAKATANE DRAINAGE. In the House this afternoon a Bill providing for the drainage of certain lands in the Whakatane district was brought down by Governor's message. Replying to Mr. Massev, Sir J. G. Ward explained that the Bill proviueu tor the acquisition of certain lands with a view to cany on a drainage system which had hitherto been in the hands of the local authority, who now found itself unable to carry out its financial obligations. The Government intended to acquire the land so drained for further settlement, and to recoup itself for the cost of the scheme. Mr. Taylor (Christchureh) expressed suspicion of the Bill, and contended that the cost of such work should be,borne by those the value of whose property would be enhanced thereby. Mr. MacdonaJa explained" that Whakatane settlers spent a considerable amount in an endeavor to drain the swamp, um had been unable to-repay the loan raised for the purpose. The laud was rich ami suitable for subdivision into dairy farms, and the Government would be conferring a benefit on the district by undertaking the work of dainage. Mr. Herries approved of the Government's proposal, and said the land affected by the Bill was not being held for speculative purposes. Mr. Massey also considered the work authorised by the Bill one for the Government tp undertake. Sir J. G. Ward said the schpme was very much the same as that canieu out on the Haunaki Plains. A number oi settlers were on the verke of ruin, and the Government proposed to get them out of their difficulties. The Bill was read a first time. CANADIAN- POSTAL SERVICE.

The Premier laid on the table a copy of a tender called for by Canada for a postal service commencing from the expiryl of the existing service in July, 1911. Replying to Mr. Massey, Sir J. G. Ward indicated that in the event of the tender not including New Zealand, the Dominion would have to go in for a service of her own. He hoped New Zealand would be included in the contract entered into by Canada. He thought in any case it waa probable that the Dominion would have arranged for a service on its own account. Mr. Massey asked whether a connecting steamer at Sura would be arranged for in the event of New Zealand not being included in the Canadian service. He though the House should be given an opportunity of considering the whole question this session. 'Sir J. G. Ward said that in the event of having a steamship service of our ewn the steamers should touch at different ports. Auckland being the first and last port of call. The service would be worth more to the country than the extra cost involved. Before the Government came to a decision in the matter the proposals would he laid hefore the House for discussion. The tenders laid on the table 1 were called for by Canada on (her own account, and New Zealand could do nothing until the tender was accepted. I

THE NO-CONFIDENCE DEBATE. The debate on the no-confldence motion was resumed by Mr. Scott, who said he spoke as the representative of the man on the land. He upheld the freehold as the tenure best suited for the British race. Limitation of area ought to be based on the money value of the land. Closer settlement was the all important question, and the Government had neglected it. Men taking up sections should be hound to improve them in the first two years without payment of rent until the property reached a productive stage. Mr. Peavce argued that the freehold tenure made for the happiness, of the greatest number and the largest amount of closer settlement. He urged that the idle bush lands in the North Island should ibe opened up for settlement. He had. 1 no confidence in the Government's native land policy, the inactivity of which was shown by th« fact that no provision was made for the purchase of native hinds. Mr. Wright said he was between tlr devil and the deep blue sea. He desired to place on record his reasons for voting: for the amendment. He had pledged himself to vote against the Government on a no-confidence motion, and also to oppo-" the sale of further Crown lands. Had the Government been a leasehold one, an would have,had no option but to vote against the amendment. He consldeieu there ought to be a change of Government, for the reason that the present Administration and its predecessors had been too long in power. When a Government had ho policy it ought to'resign office instead of shifting its ground from point to point in order to suit the exigencies of the day. He condemned th> practice of Ministers travelling about the country at considerable expense instead of looking after their proper work. The House rose at 5.30 p.m. This evening the debate was resumed by Mr. Macdonald. who defended the Government's native land and puhMe works policies. 'Largo blocks of native land were being opened up in various parts of the North Island. Moncv natt to be borrowed for the construction of necessary roads and bridges. He considered the co-operative system of railWay construction worked very satisfactorily and was an improvement on the contract system. The native townships jwere standing proof of what had been done.

j THE AMENDMENT REJECTED. On the amendment being put, it was j rejected by 41 votes to 31. The division-list was as follows: Against the amendment: Arnold, Brown, Buddo, Buxton, Carroll, Clark, Colvin, Craigie, Davey, T. Duncan, Ell, Forbes, Fowlds, Glover, Graham, Greenslade, Hall, Ilanan, 'Hogs, Laurenson, Lawry, Macdonald, It. McKenzie, T. Mackenzie, Millar, Myers, Xgata, Parata, Poland, Poole, Rangi'hiroa, Reed, Russell, Seddon, Smith, Stallworthv, Steward, T. •E. Tavlor, "Thames" Taylor, Ward, Witty. For the amendment: Allen. Anderson, Bollard, Buchanan. Buick. Dillon. Dive, J. Duncan, Field, Fisher, Fraser, Guthrie, Hardy, Herdman, Herr-ies, Hine, Jennings, 'Lang, Malcolm, Mander, Massev, Xosi worthy, Okey, Pearce, Phillips, Rhodes, Ross, ,Scott, Thomson (Dunedin), Thomson (Wallace), Wright. FINANCIAL STATEMENT DEBATE. On the motion to go into Supply being put, Mr. Thomson (Dunedin) continued the debate on the Financial Statement. What the Dominion should aim at was settlement of the country by the greatest possible number of freeholders. Reterring to defence matters, he pointed out that Sir J. Ward's views thereon had undergone a remarkable change in two years. The Premier ihad in a speech formerly spoken against compulsory military training. Great care would have to be taken to see that the latest defence '■scheme did not fail in its object. "He thought more should be done to further 1 this work of afforestation, and suggested

. the mppointment of a trained forester to control the work. Mr. Reed attacked the Opposition claim. that lessees occupying settlement landsshould be given the right to purchase at the original value plus one per cent.,. •which was unjust. Mr. Mandcr contended that the progress of the Dominion was being retarded' owing to t)he Government's attitude on: the land question. Many of the best men were leaving the country owing to dissatisfnc'i;o:i with the land taws. The Government had no definite land policy, and was desirous of pleasing both parties in the House. He considered that thfr natives ought to bear a larger share of rates thnn at present. The debate was adjourned and theHouse rose at H.lO p.m.