PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 92, 9 October 1911, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. SATURDAY, OCTOBER T. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Saturday

After midnight Sir Arthur Guinness asked why holders of land in mining district weire called upon to pay land tax and rating tax if land was, as the valuators stated, worth nothing. Mr. Poland said mining townships should be notified if the Government considered they were not worth grants. The Hon. J. A. Millar stated that the Advances to Settlers' Board was entrusted with the expenditure of public money, and if a man could not show good security he could not get money. Competent valuers were employed and money was knit in accordance with the valuation, but the board was not. going to lend money on property which was absolutely valueless. Tlie Government would, on reports in its possession, not be justified in advancing one penny on Waihi property. The valuators had to report whether districts were permanent, and, if noit, there was mo advance. The advances to settlers' loan was greater last year than ever in the history of the Dominion. The veto was passed.

Tiie State Coal Mines account ( £308,71o) was then taken.

ill'. .T. Duncan moved a reduction of the vote 'by £1 as an indication that the importation of eo.il should bo discouraged. The amendment was negatived bv 30 to 14. In the House, after 2 o'clock, the Scenery Preservation account £BBSO, Public Trustee £32,030, Government Insurance £63,240, Government Accident Insurance £7l'lo. States Fire Department £15,937, Native Land Settlement account £350 were put through, and the House rose at 2.55, having finished the Estimates.