PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 85, 30 September 1911, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

FISIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1S) 11. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington. Last Night. The Legislative Council met at 2.30. The Friendly Societies Amendment Hill was read a third time and passed. The debate on the Hon. Ormond's motion approving the land proposals of the Government was resumed by the Hon. McCardle, who referred to the earlv efforts on the part of himself, Mr. K. lirowu and others to secure land in the Forty Mile Bush by the formation of an association, but the members mot, with the refusal of the Waste Lands Board to grant, good land tp small settlers, This caused the disbandonment, of the association. Subsequently the new deferred payment Acts of 1877 and 187!) made provision for such set tlemcnt, and he urged that the Government should now adopt some such provision as therein contained. He desired the Government to financially assist the smaller men in the matter of erection of buildings, etc., oil holdings.

The Hon. McCowan held that they were going on the wrong lines. The Government ought not to part with any lands, but should resume every acre obtainable.

The Hon. Sinclair approved the proposals of the Government, as they would ensure the success of settlement.

The Hon. Paul thought the land policy might be more vigorously prosecuted. Referring to speculation the speaker said if he had his way lie would make it a criminal offence to speculate in land. He was disappointed with the proposals of the Budget regarding the increased graduated land tax, hut approved the Hon. Anstey's suggestions on the subject as being on a scientific basis. Only by scientific graduated tax would satisfactory subdivision be ensured.

The Hon. Wigram pleaded for better consideration to men who really desired to become bona fide settlers. He condemned the ballot systein. The Hon. George pressed the necessity of settling native Jands in the North Island. He generally approved the. graduated tax, but contended that it was unjust to put a graduated tax on land which no body wanted. He congratulated the Government on the settlement scheme proposed. Sir J. ft, Findlay said the Government appreciated the approval of so old a settler as the Hon. Ormnnd. He said the scheme as applied to the North Island would have a most far-reaching and beneficial effect. The purpose of the Government was to get men with no means at all placed upon the land, so that they could found homes for themselves. Settlement with this end in view should go 011 contemporaneously with public works. The Hon. Ormond having briefly replied, the motion was carried, and the House rose.

The Hon. C. 11. Mills gave notice to move: "That members of the Council are dissatisfied with the crude, undignified and discourteous reply given by the At-torney-General yesterday to questions on the Order Paper respecting the Coronation invitations; also that the Council is dissatisfied with the curt refusal to lay on the table any papers, correspondence or cables relating to the matter, to which the Council is entitled, and which refusal is an insult to the Council."

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The Utilise of Representatives met at 2.30 p.lll. The. House went into committee on t)n- Estimates, Class VII., Justice Department. £376,830, being taken. Air. Rhodes asked ' that further consideration be given .to recommendations from members for appointments of Justices of the Peace. .Mr. Fisher said the Attorney-General had stated in Ashburton that members were always consulted when appointments were being made. This he knew was not s:). 1 Mr. Buchanan said lie had never been consulted in this way, and he could not say he favored the course. The Hon. J. Millar said a number oi persons proposed for appointment had not been appointed because they did not express their willingness to accept appointment. Some members recommended over twenty people for appointment in one electorate. At present there were over 2000 Js'P. on the roll. At the present rate of additions it would not be long before half the male population was on the roll of Justices. The Crown Law Office was doing its work well, and the Department may in future be extended to other centres. In the meantime the Government would adhere to the present system, which, if successful, would be extended to other centres. In reply to Mr. Massey. the Hon. Millar stated that he understood the Webster claims had been settled. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.lll. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m., the Justice Department Estimates being continued. 111 connection with the vote for magistrates and wardens of courts, Mr. Clarke drew the attention of Ministers to the manner in which magistrates sometimes treated old men coming before them. He instanced the case of a man of 82 who was applying for a pension, and was cross-examined by the Magistrate as if the pensioner were endeavoring to get what he was not entitled to. Mr. Laurenson said it would be a good thing if the .Minister got; the Under-Sec-retary for Justice to drop tlie magistrates a circular asking them to treat old age pensioners with all due consideration.

■Mr. Clarke said lie was unite prepared to give the whole particulars of the ease, which showed shameful treatment of an old man. The lion. -1. A. Millar said that if the hen. gentleman furnished him with particulars he would emjuirc into tile matter. A! the l'i:-.>!is vote Mr. Arnold asked tliil the evidence taken in connection with an A';;-:<':ind ease recently should hj" l-.iid u'i.im (lie table. A warder in that ca>e had been dismissed, but he would like 1(1 kiinw v.hat wan to be done with ■he man'- chief. Mr. Ma.-isev said ii was a \'erv great pity that, these cinpiirns wive held in secret, lie hoped the papers in this Auckland case would he laid on the tabic as soon as possible, so that the House could discuss the matter. Ihe lion. .T. A. Millar said the report of the encjuiry would be laid on the table. At the Police vote several members urged that the police should receive an increase in pay. which at present was small, while the duties were arduous and responsible. Mr. Ilei'dnian asked for an appeal tribunal for the police. Mr. Arnold paid n high compliment to the I'lidcr-Secretary of Justice for his administration of the l\ilice Department. lie was the right man in the right place, but Mr. Arnold considered it desirable to have a man of practical knowledge! and broad experience to advise the Under-Secretary in all practical matters concerning the administration of the police, and it would probably he necessary to send out of the Dominion to secure such an officer.

The Hon. Millar, replying to Mr. Arnold's migration of the appointment a practical man for the police, said it ' would only be a matter of time whea a man would have to be appointed from Home. It would, under the c:rcu». stances, be better to adopt such a cour» . than to promoto a member of the Zealand service. A man of wide experi- • ence would be essential—a man who would also be an expert adviser. Mr. Massev said 'there was at least one man in Xeiv Zealand who was thoroughly competent, to till the position. • ■ The lion. Millar said they were going on very well at present under the administration of the Under-Secretary of .Justice, it ml (here was no immediate intention of importing a inan from abroad. The Justice Department vote passed unaltered. Class S, Mines Department, £27,136. Mr. Okey spoke of the necessity of greater activity in the geological survey branch.

The Minister said it was a question of finance.