PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 58, 30 August 1911, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, MIL, LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph—frees Association. Wellington, Last Night. •The Council met at 2.30. The Hon. Mr. McGowan offered his congratulations to the Attorney-General on the honor conferred on him, and said he was certain that Sir John Findlay would do honor to himself and the title. The Hon. Mr. Sinclair, who also congratulated Sir John, took the title conferred on him as am honor to the Council. It had been conferred for good work nobly done by Sir John Findlay. He highly eulogised his leadership of the Council,, and expressed tile hope that he would long be spared to bear his honor. The Hon. Mr. Jenkinson, referring to the matter of titles, adhered to his previous statement that some of the honors bestowed on New Zealanders had not been deserved. Where a title was given to a private citizen of the Dominion it should' be after long and faithful service. While agreeing that Sir John Findlay had done good -work, he averred that in the 'bestowal of honors work had to be taken by comparison, and, in his opinion, compared with the work done by other politicians, the title to Sir John Findlay had not been fully earned. He hoped the acceptance of the title would not* prejudice Sir John Findlay hi the eyes of the democracy. He concluded by congratulating Sir John upon the title conferred.

The Hon. Mr. Jones contended that work such as Sir J. G. Findlav's deserved recognition at the hands of His Maioety, for no man had ever won a place in the hearts of the people more honestly thnn Sir John. He was a man whom they delighted to honor. Hon. Messrs. Beehan, Loughnan, and 0. Samuel added their congratulations. The Hon. Mr. Paul welcomed the bon. gentleman back. He would not say anything about the title, for he was one who did not believe in titles, but he did not believe the ncpptnnep r»f the title would affect the -mod work " r Sir John, whose work in tv nn.st hs-i teen for the advantage of the <lenrvr\?y. Hon, Messrs. Wi P-. Luke and Callnn spoke in appreciation of Sir J, G. Findlay.

The Hon. J. Tiiat; said his objections to titlr« were ln=ed upon principle. He failed to pot. tlmt the title was conferred on the country. He, however, joined henrtil" with the. others in welcoming Sir John Iwk to the country. Hon. MessTS. AWjiHle, Anstey, Millar and Mills nil =•>'•',> pnW**!.. a r|y rf sj t J. G. Findl.iv end romrral'Vated him on his honor.

Sir John Findlay. in reply, said he found some difficulty in speaking as freely a« he would like, because of the opinions expressed by members. Those opinions he valued, because the tost test of a man was the opinions of those who were working with him. What had been said was gratifying to bis heart, and an effectual answer to his critics. He thought he could say he had never left the path of rectitude in public or private life, and he could afford to disregard the hard thing* said of him.in his absence. He, however, strongly condemned the class of criticism which attributed evil motives. That sort of criticism often led to the evils of public life being disregarded. If New Zealand journals persistently and wilfully misrepresented and distorted public men they would cease to be sentinels of public purity. He had been mode the subject of criticism which had not been honorable. As to the title, it was in no way a prent matter one way or other. He did think It misht have'been some honor to the leader of the Chamber, and that the men who came after him. hiving done some work, might get some definite recognition. Referring to the Hon. IvYr. Jenkfnson's remarks, he said Mr. Jcnkinson had been amongst his most useful friends, and he never admired the hon. gentleman more than when his candour led him against himself (the speaker). If he had not earned the title he hoped that before his career was over he would have earned it. He went on to say that during the five yean he had been in the Oouncil he' had worked with great pleasure and without an eye to reward, and the rears he had spent amongst them would he held in affectionate remembrance. In his decision to retire, he had been actuated by various motives. There was creat work to be done in the Council, but Fie felt he could do better work in another sphere for the country which had done so mneh for him. for he owed this country for all he had, and everything he had got. The Methodist Charitable and Educational Trust Bill (Hon. Mr. McGowan) was road the second time. - •Sir John Findlav expressed his np. preciation of the valuable services of the Hon. Mr. McGowan as acting-leader of the Council. The Council rose. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Sir Joseph Ward, who was applauded on rising to speak, stated that-the term of High Commissioner held bv Sir W. Hall-Jones had been extended till the end of December, and there would be no appointment of a successor until that term expired. There was not a possibility of his accepting the position. He expected to bring down the Financial Statement on Tuesday ne\t. He proposed taking an opportunity, when the Leader of the Opposition was in his seat, of making a statement concerning the Coronation invitations. The suggestion that there had been any duplicity in the matter was without foundation. While at Home he had made representations to annex Tonga to New Zealand. His representations could not be assented to. It was his opinion that Tonga should bo annexed.to New Zealand. He took the opportunity to express his deep and sincere regret at the death of the late Mr. T. K. Taylor, but was gratified to see that a gentleman so able had been elected in his place. He congratulated Sir Arthur Guinness and Sir James Carroll on the high compliment they had received. It was a compliment to himself and the native race for Sir James Carroll to receive such a' high distinction. He was glad to see all the members again. Though some of them might cross swords later on, he was sure it would all be done in good part. He was glad to get back and find New Zealand in so prosperous a condition. Sir W. ,T. Steward, as the senior member in the House, congratulated Sir J. (1. Ward on his safe return and the excellent work he had accomplished at Home. He moved ''That thLs House records its welcome to Sir J. G. Ward on his return from London, and records its appreciation of the able manner he had represented New Zealand at the Imperial Conference." Mr. Italian seconded the motion. Sir Joseph Ward, he said, had been the right man in the right place at Home. He congratulated him on the ability and statesmanship displayed at the Imperial Conference. Sir Joseph Ward moved that the minutes of the proceedings at the Imperial Conference be laid on the table and be printed, lie stated that every resolution carried at the conference was carried unanimously. All those not carried were withdrawn. His action in with drawing an important resolution was

on« of custom. Ho could have called for a division had he wished. He knew when he moved the resolution that it wouM not be carried. There had been 20 r«atlutions carried at the conference. Bs mentioned that he had signed 3600 letters, and had made 73 speeches at Homt. He acknowledged the good work done bj Sir John Findlay, also the valuable assistance lie had received from his seers-, taries. Mr. Allen asked for more information ' regarding Tonga. Sir Joseph Ward said it was not necessary to say any more on thn roa.t- "' ter. It was decided that the minutes be laid on the table and printed. Mr. Allen, speaking on the motion to go into committee on the Imprest Sunply Bill, asked for some explanation re- • garding the appropriations mado last year, especially those for roads and bridges. The House's decision that substantial assistance should bo giyen to '•■ baekblocks settlers had not been adhered to by the Executive. In 1908 ths .. Prime Minister had asked for £CSOfIO% • for roads and bridges, of which £250,000 would be devoted to the formation of roads in the backblocks, a similar policy to be continued yearly regarding backblocks roads. This had not been done. Backblocks settlers were entitled to ti» expenditure of £«04,000 this year. Mr. Herdman advocated the appointment of an expert to investigate tit ' whole system of railway administrataoa. Mr. Herries concurred, and said thai there was general discontent in the service, i EVENING SITTING. The House' resumed at 7.30. Mr. McDon&ld traversed Mr. Allen's statement that the House had not spent , the money allocated for baokhlocks reads. Sir Joseph Ward, referring to Mr. Allen's speech regarding backblock* expenditure, stated that Mr. Allen.had voted for a proposal that would have •' crippled any expenditure on the back> blocks settler. He had voted for the expenditure of two millions of money oa new Parliamentary buildings outside Wellington, and yet he declaimed against the Government because they were expending too much money. Since the Liberal party had been in power four ■■ millions had been spent on roada. AH, * or most, of the money voted for roads last year, had gone out for that purpose. Most of the public bodies had asked that moneys voted should foe hetd ■ over, as they were not ready to spend them.' Mr. Allen had stated that only 1 £250,000 had been expended on thr. roads last year, whereas the amount was £344,000. Cheap money had saved the farmers on many occasions, but Mr. < Allen was in co-operation with, those who were keeping money up. Referring to railways, lie said the Government would improve the service in thejr own way and in a way that would be satisfactorv.

The House went into committer, and passed an Imprest Supply Bill foi £708,400.

Mr. Massey took the opportunity of welcoming Sir Joseph Ward back to New Zealand, but-regretted that hj« had not brought back more dignity with him. If the Premier's attitude was the outcome of coining into contact with tb« great men of Great Britain, he was glad ,he had not received an invitation. Reverting to financial matters, he contended that money for public works should be made available at an earlier period. He asked for details of the five millions of last year and urged the setting apart of a day to consider railway matters, and also for discussing local and differential rates. Mr. Massey, continuing, said that there was mueh dissatisfaction in the railway service, both on the part of its servants and the public. The Hon. .T. A. Millar said he wag quite prepared to ask Parliament to take away the privileges of nil way servant* and let them go under the Arbitration Act. But a larger population was required before short distance fares could be as low as those of New South Wale*. He was quite prepared to raise the wages if Parliament sanctioned it. ' Mr. Henries contended that backblocks settlers had 1 been defrauded out of the £1,000,000 vote for roads. Mr. Laurenson characterised Mr. Mm-. sey's allegation that some member hod been using public money for private purposes as an innuendo of that filthy kind, of which there had been enough. Continuing, Mr. Laurenson said that if a vote were put to the railwaymen nine out of ten would vote for the present system of management.

Mr. Massey, in personal explanation, said he had been subjected to abuse thTougb making a slip' of the tongue. He had corrected his statement, and said that a Tory was a man who used public money for party purposes, not private purposes. He would «av later that his referent was directed against the Hon. R. McKenzie's swwh in Taranaki, a. vote of Parliament for advertising, and the placing of amounts on the Public Works Estimates through the agency of private persons and not, members of Parliament.

Mr. Herdman, dealing witk finance, stated that public expenditure had increased enormously of recent years, and there were no signs of where the increase had gone to. The Hon. R. McKcnsde said that most of the railways now being constructed were through constituenciei represented by Opposition members. The reason that the total expenditure fell short of the amount appropriated was that often amounts were placed on two or three successive years' estimates, owing to unavoidable delay in completing, works. He flatly denied Mr. Massey's imputations, in regard to a speech delivered bv him" in Taranaki that he had stated that if Government members were not returned the district would get no Government grants. Sir Joseph Ward thanked Mr. Massey for his kind welcome, but was sorry his manners did not suit Mr. M«i»ey. He was, however, willing to learn anything Mr. Massey could teach him. A* to the sjx and a half millions loan, the Opposition had supported it right through. As to _ the increased expenditure, it wba ridiculous to expect the country to stagnate. (Left Sitting.)