PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 89, 31 August 1912, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph.— Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Council met at 2.30. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. In t-'he Council this afternoon Mr. Beehan moved that 'the Government consider the advisability of bringing in a Bill with the object of the subvention of friendly societies in certain cases, and for purposes consequent thereon and incidental thereto. The motion was carried. WORKERS' COMPENSATION. Mr. Paul resumed the adjourned debate on the second reading of the Workers' Compensation Amendment Bill (Mr. Rigg). While the Bill did not touch the difficulties surrounding the working of the Act, it brought insurance companies out into the open. It was a wise and humane policy to give the worker protection and make it a charge upon industry. The accident insurance business of the country would not be on a satisfactory basis until the whole thing was managed by the State. Mr. Bell said that the Government had not an actuarial reserve to plunge into an immediate big business. It was advisable that the increases should be made gradually, but much more information would need to be obtained before the department was launched into what would practically be, a monopoly. Mr. Luke contended that t'he Bill would simply impose a greater hardship upon employers, without much benefit to employees. He agreed there could be no solution till the Government took the whole thing over. The effect of the Bill as-it stood would be that companies 'would immediately raise the rates. Mr. Callan supported the second reading. Mr. Rigg, replying, expressed his agreement thjj,t the Bill should go to the Labor Bills Committee. Some of the accident insurance companies were, he said, deliberately defrauding employeesof what they were entitled to, and when a case went to the court the companies sheltered behind the employer, who had to bear the odium. The object of the Bill was to deal with cases like that. The second reading was carried on the voices, and the Bill was referred to the Labor Bills Committee. FINGER PRINTS.

The Prisons Amendment Bill, from the House, dealing with finger prints, passed its second reading, and the Council rose. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30. THE ESTIMATES. The House went into committee on the Estimates. A general discussion ensued. Sir J. Ward stated that he would draw the attention of the House to the fact that it had been inferred that there was no much activity being displayed in connection with surveying of Crown lands. He quoted figures to show that there was general activity in the matter. He stated that there had been more surveyors at work in the Auckland district during the last two years than at any other time. Mr. Russell drew attention to the speech delivered by Mr. Massey recently, when he said that he would reduce the Government's expenditure, yet his own estimate*; showed an increase of £454,000 over last year. Mr. Hine referred to Mr. Russell's connection with the purchase of the Runanga estate, and said that 'he thought after the Hine charges such matters would better have been left alone by members. Mr. Hanan said that the purchase, of the estate had been for the benefit of the State and the people. Negotiations had been entered into for the purchase of the estate three years before Mr. Russell became its owner. Mr. Russell said that in connection with Runanga he was prepared to meet any committer the House liked to set lip ami have the whole matter thoroughly thrashed out. Mr. Massey said he would take the first opportunity of moving that the whole matter he referred to the Lands Committee for investigation and report. Mr. Russell and others could then go before the committee and the matter could be thoroughly ventilated. He hoped that members would refrain from again referring to the matter. Mr. Lanrenson said that as to the increased expenditure with the extending of the services of the State it was impossible to obviate expansion in expenditure. Sir J. Ward said that he believed the oil industry was worthy of the greatest consideration, but, it should be carefully dealt with. If an expert M'ere secured his report_should not be allowed to be used by private individuals or companies. Mr. Okey contended that the oil industry was expanding considerably. He suggested that the High Commissioner should have full reports of the progress of the industry. Mr. Ell said that the question of the conservation of white pine forests for the supply of timber for butter and cheesecases was one which required the attention of the. Minister. Not half enough was being done in connection with the Forestry Department. An officer should bo stationed in each land district to induce people to plant and plan scientifically. If good foresters were not obtainable here they should be imported.

Mr. Herdnian deprecated the making of temporary appointments to the publie service. Past experience had proved that tV system was unsound. Tim House adjourned at 5.30. The House resumed at 7.30. A general discussion ensued on the first item of the Estimates, traversing the whole of the appropriations. Mr. Colvin entered a plea for the proseeutipn of the mining industry. Mr. Witty pleaded for the cheapening of the telephone system; also for more consideration to school teachers. He advocated the election of education boards on the same franchise as school committees.

Mr. Allen, replying to Mr. Mvers, said that tliey .had heard a lot about the Estimates 'belonging to the late Government. It was incorrect to make that statement. The Defence Estimates, for instance, were nothing like those of the Mackenzie administration. Over £25,000 had been cut off; £IO.OOO had been struck off one item. The Government were charged with increasing the expenditure, but they had to provide for the payment of increase and sinking fend for loans borrowed by their pre" decessors. This swallowed ;COO,OOO. Mv. Russell hoped 1 tluit the pruning knife would be kept busy in connection with defence. There was* a tendency to undue extravagance and ostentation. The Government should not allow gold braid and cocked hats to play too gj-eat a part in the citizen army. Mr. Buxton asked tliat when the financial affairs of the country were being compiled the assets of public buildings. railways, loans to bodies, and increased value of Crown lands would be placed alongside the liabilities, as is done in any company. Mr. R. McKenzie expressed regret at the absence of tariff revision from the Government proposals. Particular and immediate attention should be given to dairy machinery, if the country intended going into the opportune janBHHSMBnH ;' Mr| Ma. ss Jv.-n | airvtiyor3,£^HflH^H^H99^HHH

1 The salaries had now been raised, and the position improved considerably. It would be his duty to recommend the Cabinet to ehgage an oil expert to Toe attached to the (Geological Department. He agreed that afforestation should do vigorously pursued. Steps were being taken to prevent mentally and physically unfit emigrants leaving England for tile Dominion. The iron industry was ndt being overlooked by the Government. He expected to make a statement within a fortnight. The first item was passed. THE COST OF LIVING. Mr. Massey laid on the table the report of the Cost of Living Commission, and promised to set aside a day for its discussion. The report occupies five hundred printed pages. The House rose at 11 p.m.