PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 92, 4 September 1912, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

TUESDAY 7 , SEPTEMBER 3. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. THE ELECTIONS BILL. Mr. Bell moved the committal of the Legislative Council Elections Bill, and in his speech anticipated the amendment of which Mr. Orniond had given notice, namely, that the Council, having reaffirmed the principle of election for that body, it is not advisable to proceed further with the Bill, in' order that the electors should have time to consider the proposals in the measure. The Minister urged that as the Council had decided on the principle of election, the question of method of election should be decided in committee. The postponement of the question would postpone not only the details but the principle also. It would be of value to the country if election by the people were rejected and secondary election preferred to know that fact, and the majority by which the decision was arrived at. Lt would be far more in keeping with the dignity of the Council that it should proceed to deal with a matter which it had declared should be given e(Tect to than to postpone it till a time when many members would not have the power of considering the question. He considered that those hon. gentlemen who held their seats by appointment should themselves consider this question of reform. He failed to see in what wily postponement for n year could enlighten the people on the subject if the matter were not discussed in its details. If it were the opinion of the Council that the matter should be at an end for this year, no one could deny their right to so decide, but consideration should not be denied to the reasons he had advanced. Mr. Ormond said that the question was simply whether they would not achieve their end better by delay than by immediate action. The Council were in favor of the voice of the people, but other grounds had not been affirmed by the people. The division of the country into two electorates was not desired. On the franchise, too, there was disagreement, and the people had a right to be consulted 011 those points. As to how an opinion could be gained before next session, he contended that members of the House would have to meet their constituents, and thus in some way some opinion from the people would be gained. He did not think the Government would make appointments to the Council while this measure was under discussion. To send the Bill to another place now would occupy much valuable time that should be given to other important matters. Mr. Rigg seconded the amendment, though he was opposed to it, but he felt compelled to vote for it, as he did not wish the Bill to become law. Messrs Wigram, Paul, Steward, Loughnan and McOardle favored consideration of the details in committee. The debate was adjourned and the Council rose at 5.30 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. VALUATION OF LAND. The Prime Minister gave notice to introduce the Valuation of Land Amend*ment Bill. THE RUNANGA PURCHASE. The Prime Minister brought up a report on the purchase of the Runanga property, and it was referred to the Lands Committee for consideration and report. THE ESTIMATES. The House went into committee on the Estimates. One item of £7190 for the House of Representatives was passed. Oil the Department of Finance vote of £54,301, Mr. Witty asked when the Government proposed to increase the graduated income tax. Mr. Allen replied that it wa's not intended to deal with the subject this session. The vote was passed. Class 111., Post and Telegraph Department, £1.054,024. —In answer to a question. the Postmaster-General said that lie hoped to increase the supply of motor cycles for rural deliveries of letters. Mr. Russell asked the Minister if the Government were utilising fencing posts for running telephone wires. Such a method of establishing lines, he continued, would be of immense benefit to the baekbloeks settlers. The Postmaster-General replied that it had been found that the system proposed by Mr. Russell would not work, and he could not recommend it. The total vote for Post and Telegraph, £1,054.024. passed unaltered. On the next vote—working railways— Mr. Ell moved to reduce the vote by £l, as an indication that racehorses anil polo ponies should not be carried free on the railways. Mr. Herrics said that the, same principle was adopted on most of the railways of the world, it being generally recognised that a very large body of people went to see the traces, and they were very profitable to the Department. The concession only amounted to about £30(10. Its removal would hit the smaller class of owner, who went to country meetings. It was. generally speaking, a concession to the smaller clubs. Sir Joseph Ward considered it would be a great mistake to carry Mr. Ell's amendment. The. object of the railways was to secure business, and if that could be done by giving a concession in one direction, so as to get business in an-1 other, that was a proper tiling to do. Mr. Ell's motion was lost 011 a division by 44 to 11. Mr. Tlerrics, replying to cricieism, said that the question of the extensions of lines was one for consideration. Under the public works estimates the Minister for Railways had nothing to do with the cost of construction. All lie 'had to do was to try and run the railways, when handed over to the working of railways department, at a profit. The whole question would- be gone into as soon as time permitted. Mr. Robertson moved an amendment that the item of £23.848. relating to the traffic branch, be reduced by £l, «s an indication that children under live should be carried free 011 the railway, and children under fourteen at a, quarter of the ordinary second-class fare, if accompanied by their parents.

Mr. Uerries said that lift rwognised that tlie question was. a burning one. and .had to he considered. The proposal was a device to encourage people to have large families, lie, must resist, it. II would mean a los* of ;C">l).00() a year. He had to make 3% per cent., and on Hie present arrangement lie would only have £50,000 left over to meet, emergencies. Tie could- take that risk. Much as he might, .desire it, he could not advise the House to take the risk of jroing helow 3% per cent. Year by year they had to no before the English moneylenders;, who naturally were not competent to judge I lie situation. Mr. Massey sui'l that the Covcrnmcnt ! opposed the proposal .because it could not Afford it. 'Mr. Millar had done his best to make the railways pay a fair rale of interest, on Mie cost of construction and on money borrowed fur building railways, and he was f.iirlv successful in doing so. When Mr. 'Millar went out of office the countrv went to the other extreme. Concession* were made in all directions, mid were still beinsr asked for. lie hoped that the motion

would not be pres-:ed, as the Government really could not afford it. He would like to add that his party was wholly in sympathy with the motion, and hoped to make alterations next session. Mr. Ila nan thought that the concession should be granted, and pointed out that the present Government, when in opposition, had strenuously advocated railway concessions.