PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 91, 7 October 1911, Page 8

PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 0. THE VALUATION DEPARTMENT. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Friday. After midnight Mr. Buchanan objected to the unbusinesslike methods, on which the Valuation Department was carried on. The valuators' salaries were insufficient to ensure satisfactory work. ifv. Massey complained of the. appointment of men notoriously unlit as valuatons.

■Mr. Ito-s said he knew of a case where a man who had been found guilty of falsifying a roll had been employed by a valuator as assistant. Sir James Carroll said any such evidence, if submitted, would receive immediate attention.

The Hon. D. Buddo said if any proof were forthcoming that any person in the Department had a black mark against him the case would be immediately dealt, with.

Mr. Poland said the Valuation Department was under-staffed. Too much money was paid out to casual valuers. rrhe total vote was passed, and on the motion of Sir James Carroll progress was reported at 1 a.m.

RECEPTION OF VALUABLE RECORDS Wellington, Last Night.

The House met at 2.50. The joint library committee recommended that the Parliamentary library should have a . department for the reception of manuscripts and other records connected with the early history of New Zealand, and that some provision .should be made in the .Supplementary Estimates to assist in the collection of the desired materials. The committee urged that the Government should favorably consider these proposals. Mr. Russell urged that the matter of securing a national historical collection was a. most important one. The Government should move in the matter at once. There were numerous channels 1 through which interesting and important documents could be secured for the country, and the matter should be pursued with the utmost expedition. Mr. Fisher said the Government should erect some suitable building fol the reception of these works. The Hon. D. Buddo. in reply, said the Department of Internal Affairs welcomed any additions of historical works. I LANDS FOR SETTLEMENT.

The House went into committee to further consider the Estimates; the item lands- for settlement (£0440) being taken. -Mr. Massey contended that, as the accounts! .were presented, the House had no chance of finding out how various acquired estates were being administered, and whether they should he labelled credit or loss. , Tile Hon. D. Buddo said the administration of estates was in the hands of the Lands Department. The success of an estate was .not based on one year's return. .Mr. Luke thought the Government

! should ibe congratulated on the fact that during the past year 14.399 acres had ; been acquired under the Lands for Setitlement .Act. Mr. Fisher asked why the Government should make a rebate of rent to fmnners and not to workers, who reallv needed ' * ■'.... Mr. Isitt said a rebate of ten per cent. to farmers who paid their rent regularly was iniquitous. Under a 999 'years' lease a man who was holding land at a peppercorn rental was saving ten per cent, by paying up on due date. Mr. 'Fisher moved the reduction by £2 1 of tiro item for .the land purchasers' j salary as an indication that if ten per cent, rebate were given to the farmers it should be given to the workers. The Hon. D. Buddo, in reply, *aid the matter of rebates Avas based on the existing law. ■Further utterances of Ministers were drowned by a buzz of conversation among members. Mr. Ell said that married men could not g» into the country to work as no provision was made for the housing of their wiyes and families. Under existj ing circumstances, married laborers had j to keep two homes going. Mr. Rhodes said he would allow a j country worker to advance step by step ; till he had acquired the freehold. I EVENING SITTING.

The House resumed at 7.30. Mr. Fisher's amendment was ruled out of order, and the total land for ..settlements amount was passed. STATE FORESTRY.

The State forests account (£23,397) was next taken. •Mr. Scott moved a reduction of the salaries' item as an indication that a scientifically trained expert should he procured to take charge of the State forests. Messrs. T. Y. Duncan and Malcolm considered a man with knowledge of Dominion requirements would be better. Mr. Eraser held that two prime necessities of the Dominion were all'orcstation and irrigation. The lion. D. Ruddo, in replying, said eight million trees were being planted annually. In this matter an ounce of experience was worth a ton of theory. If Mr. Scott's suggestion were carried out it would be simply a matter of importing a man to teach him his business. ■Mr. Scott's amendment was negatived, and the total vote passed. DEFENCE MATTERS.

The committee proceeded to eonsidei the defence vote (£384,574). . Replying to Messrs. Allen and Luke, the Minister said there were 23 officers in Xmv Zealand from Home and a like number of New Zealauders at Homo

undergoing training. It was not at present intended that the Government should establish a small arms factory in New Zealand.

The Hon. J. A. Millar informed Mr. Fisher that the Agricultural Department was buying all the horses required for artillery. The mounted corps .purchased their own horses. He further .stated that eight field batteries were expected t<f arrive in Xew Zealand shortly. Replying to other questions, the Hon. J. A. .Miliar said there was not a man getting less than Ss to 0s a day and quarters. The force was tire most highly paid in the world. It was .not the general principle of the Government to prosecute in cases of failure to register. There may be, he added, special cases. Continuing, the Minister said the whole scheme, of compulsory military training was a matter of evolution. .It'was a big .scheme, and the way had to ibe felt as they went along. It was proposed to make a force of 30.000. There was not one man over 21 'being enrolled at the present time.

Mr. Laurenson congratulated the Department on the initial success of the system. If he had twenty sons they would all be in the force.

The Rev. Isitt said Parliament could not carry out the scheme. It had to be carried out by the people. This was the first lime in the Empire that any compulsory system of defence was instituted. .

Replying to Mr. Jennings, the Hon. J.

■V. Millar said the general training camp had been abandoned, as it was impossible to take the men away from their work for .any considerable time. Camps woiild be held in the respective districts. Replying to Mr. Guinness, the Minister said the Government was not going to abandon prosecuting those who failed to register. Each case would be dealt with on its merits.

To Mr. Wright, Mr. Millar said the medical examinations had been carried out to the satisfaction of the Commandant.

To a further question, the Minister said boys were only rejected when it was found they would not benefit from the training. Mr. Allen asked if the Minister was satisfied that the* officers sent Home were doing duties intended by the Department.

Tlie Minister replied that a report had been requested, 'but'hud so far not come to hand.

The total was passed unaltered. STATE ADVANCES. | ■New Zealand State guaranteed advances' account ( £479,502) was next taken. Mr. Herries urged that advances should he made on mining leases. Mr. Poland moved a reduction by £1 in the salary of tho superintendent of advances as an indication that the administration of the Department was not satisfactory.

The fion. J. A. Millar said the Advance to Settlers' Board was working on business lines, and would not lend money unless security was there. The board was acting as a trustee, and would not advance one penny piece unless full security was given. (Left Sitting.)