PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 167, 24 October 1910, Page 8

PARLIAMENT

THE ESTIMATES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Saturday. In the House, after 2 o'clock, Mr. G. M. Thomson moved a reduction oi £1 in the estimates for State Forests ( £23,202) as an indication that there should be a scientilic head for the Department. This was lost on the voices, and tlm vote passed. Sir. Herries moved to report progress. The motion was lost by 32 to 17, and the discussion of the Land and Survey estimates continued. Mr. Buchanan moved a reduction of £1 in the item £0905 for 20 district valuers as an indication that they were underpaid. This was lost by S4 to 14, and the vote agreed to. During the discussion of the estimates for the Agricultural, Commerce and Tourists' Department (£181,578), Mr. Buchanan criticised the want of continuous policy in the conduct of the experimental farms, and Mr. Field suggested that more educational work should be done on experimental farms. The Minister said that the Department was closing the poultry packing depots.

Mr. Greenslade moved to reduce the salary (£550) of the secretary of the Department by £1 as an indication that the department should be under a man with more practical experience. This was lost on the voices. Mr. Malcolm moved a reduction of the vote for noxious weed inspectors' salaries, as an indication that fanners should be allowed to load evidence in prosecutions under the Act. This was lost by 31 votes to 15, ana the vote passed. At G.lO Mr. Herries again moved to report progress, but the motion was losi by 31 votes to 15. On the Tourist vote (£42,390), Mr. Millar said that Kotonia paid, indirectly, enormously. The vote was passed. Education Department (£925,642). Mr. Malcolm moved the reduction oi the vote by two assistant inspectors as a protest against their duplication oi education board inspectors. This was lost by 31 votes to 15. Mr. Anderson moved to reduce the vote of £4500 for free school books by £l, as an indication that the vote should cease next year. The motion was lost on the voices, and the House adjourned for breakfast at 8 a.m. Mr. Massey asked Sir Joseph Wara to report progress. He had only arrived at 7 o'clock, and had been struck by the dishevelled appearance of members. He sympathised with those forced to remain all night, but not with those who voted for business being conducted by irregular methods during improper hours. Sir Joseph Ward declined, saying that the estimates must go through. He had never" seen such a waste of time over the estimates as this session. On Tuesday he would propose to take Saturdays and Mondays for the remainder of the session. This was the silliest Opposition he had ever known. On the vote for secondary and higher education (£73,760). Mr. Massey, replying to Sir Joseph Ward's strictures on the Opposition, said that the present. Government was the most stupid New Zealand had ever been cursed with. Sir Joseph Ward congratulated Mr. Massey on his return to the House, and said that there had been a danger during his absence of the Opposition being led by the member for Christchurch Nortli (Mr. T;'e. Taylor).

In reply to Mr. Allen, Mr. Buddo saicl that only two research scholarships would be provided this year; hence the reduction in the' vote. The report on the work done vfould be laid before the House. The Premier referred to the University site in Auckland, which had come up during the debate. Government intended to ask' Parliament to pass special legislation to set aside part of Government House grounds as a site. After further discussion, the whole vote of £925,G42 was passed. | The item's, State Coal Mines (£297.675), Scenery Preservation (£10,350), and Lands for Settlement (£9935) were passed. On the estimate for the Public Trustee (£1000), Mr. Allen moved a reduction of £l, as a protest against the salary being raised £l5O whiie the salaries of lower officials were reduced. The motion was lost on the voices, and tiltvote of £18,712 was passed. Government Insurance (£GS,2IG), Accident Insurance (£7110) and State Guaranteed Advances (£412,749) were passed, and the House rose at 12.35 p.m.