NEW ZEALAND'S EARLY DAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 139, 21 September 1910, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND'S EARLY DAYS.

SUGGESTIONS IN THE HOUSE.

COLLECTION OF HISTORICAL RECORDS URGED.

The importance of establishing a collection of historical records in connection with the General Assembly Library was urged in the House of Representatives by several speakers on Saturday morning. The Prime Minister was among those who held that something should be done in this direction.

Mr. G. W. Russell was the first to bring the matter up, suggesting that no time should be lost in forming a branch of the library for the collection of records relating to the early history of the colony of New Zealand. In Canterbury steps had been taken to secure possession of documents bearing on the early days of the province, and he haa reason to think that what manuscripts could be obtained would be sent to the Christchurch Museum. If such a collection were made relating to the history I of the Dominion it would be of priceless value and would provide a record from which future historians would be ablei to draw a large amount of material. Application could be made .to the families of deceased legislators and also to those who had taken an active part in politics in the early days, by which means some most valuable historical records should be secured. This was a great want in connection with the library, and he hoped that the Government would provide the funds necessary to supply it. The chairman of the Library Committee, Mr. W. • Fraser, said he quite agreed with the suggestion. Every endeavour should be made to obtain possession of such records as were in existence, and, as a matter of fact, this was already being done to a limited extent. "But we are not collecting proper records; only books on the early days," remarked Mr. H. G. Ell. There was unfortunately no policy at all for collecting, records, lie said, and they were not evenj collecting the political recordis of the country. I

"And a good job, too," said Mr. W. T. Jennings, amid laughter.

Mr. Ell contended that the Parliamentary Library should be a storehouse of the political records of the country, but unfortunately it was nothing of the kind at present. Sir Joseph Ward said there was a great deal to be urged in favour of the suggestion, and he would look into it with a view of seeing what could be done. There were, however, serieus difficulties in the way at present, but in time perhaps they could be overcome. He quite recognised the importance of having such an' historical record, if kept systematically, and he would be very glad to help it on as much as' possible. (Hear, hear.)