PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 95, 7 September 1912, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 0, 1912. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES By Telegraph.—Pr»« Association. Wellington, Last Night. THE ESTIMATES. The House went into committee to further consider the Estimates. On the item of £04,71)2 for public buildings, Mr. Pearcc asked what the Government's intentions were with a-e----gard to the maintenance of two Governor's residences. He thought, as the new Governor was coming out, the present was a fitting time to effect a change, so that only one establishment should exist. Mr. Forbes agreed with Mr. Pearce, and said, to test the feeling of the committee on the reduction of expenditure in the country, he would move to reduce the vote by £l, as an indication that only one Government House was necessary. Mr. Myers said that the removal of Government House from Auckland would be a crime. The building had been established when Auckland was the capital city, and it may again be the capital. Sir J. G. Ward said that, from an economical standpoint, a certain amount of expense was essential in connection with the housing of the representative of the King, and he thought it was a great pity that this question came up ! every session. Mr. Massey said that lie agreed with ; the member for Awarua. He thought it was a great shame that the cry of I North v. South was continually raised, lie knew tiiat there was a great amount' of sentimental feeling about Government ] House at Auckland. An arrangement had been entered into with the new' Go- 1 verument whereby the houses would be ' provided for the Governor at Wellington and Auckland. The Imperial Government j had a proprietary interest in the house ' and grounds. He did not think they could interfere without the consent of , the Imperial authorities. jSir J. G. Ward deprecated the con- ' tinued interruption of the passage of the Estimates by the. moving of amend- ! merits to reduce items. If he had his way, the whole of the Estimates would be passed in one vote, and the work of j the country proceeded with. (Applause.) Mr. Forbes withdrew his amendment. Mr. Laurenson moved to reduce the vote for Parliament Buildings by £l, as an indication that the Government should, during the recess, make some enquiry as to whether it would not be wise to shift (the capital from its present position. Mr. Buddo urged' 'the appointment of a commission similar to that set up in 1800 for the purpose of deciding upon a .capital, the commission to go thoroughly into the matter and report to Parliament. Subsequently Mr. Laurenson withdrew his amendment, expressing his intention to move an amendment at a later date, with a view to getting a division on the; question. The whole class, totalling £107,592, passed unamended. Class 6—Native Department, £23,551 —passed. The Justice Department vote of £400,139 was then considered. In reply to Mr. Isitt, the Minister said t'lie provision would be made next session for an alteration in the condition of magistrates. Messrs. Bell and Hanan contended that magistrates should be properly trained and properly qualified. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. APPOINTMENT OF JUSTICES OF \ PEACE. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. j Mr. A. L. Herdman, in reply to I criticism of the present method of'mag- I istrates acting as coroners, said that the i 1 system had worked very well. The ques- J tion of magistrates' salaries deserved '■ serious consideration. He said that it was desirable that magistrates should have had a legal training before going upon the bench. Sir J. G. Ward asked if the Government, would enquire as to the advisability of appointing all members of the House, other than lawyers, justices of the peace, if ihey were willing to accept the position. He understood that, as ■ a matter of professional etiquette, lawyers did not accept the office. Mr. A. L. Herdman, replying, said that the hunger for the appointment of jus- . tices of the peace at the present time was amazing. One hundred and twentyhad been appointed since his Government had taken office. After the session closed he proposed to go .through another list and make appointments. He thought appointments should not only be made annually, but as need arose. He could not j why members of Parliament and chairmen of county councils should not | be cx-officio justices of the peace. PUBLIC DEFENDERS. Mr. Russell moved the reduction of the vote for criminal prosecutions by £l, as an indication that the Govern- ■ ment should, next session, bring down legislation with a view to providing for public defenders in the Supreme Court. Mr. Bell thought that there weTe cases in the Lowef Court where the police unduly pressed cases, aild he held that pub«ic defenders should begin in the Lower Court. Mr. Hindmarsh said the poorest man could get the best medical attention in hospital, and he hoped the time would coine when the poorest man, accused Oi crime, would be able to command tl.e very best legal advice. Mr. Hanan said it was only a matter of time when tliey would 'have a bureau of justice. He could not see any harm emanating from the establishment of a Crown Defender. Mr. .Herdman, replying, said there was no need for a public defender. The expense of such a procedure "was not warranted. No one would plead guilty if there were a public defender, and'the position would be ridiculous. He was seriously considering the advisability of adopting the Poor Prisoners' Defence Act, which operated in England. He would in all probability ask the House, next session, to place a similar measure on the Statute Books. The total vote .passed unaltered. THE MINES DEPARTMENT The vote of f.32.23'7 for the Mines Department was next taken. _ Messrs. Poland and Colvin pleaded for increased salaries .for mine inspectors, and said that the Director of Geological ..uivey should also receive consideration m that respect. i Minister said that solicitations on nehnlt of_ the officers mentioned would receive his careful consideration, when the Supplementary Estimates came down. The Minister said lie would consider ™M> oasl M>ties a puMie crushing batThe vote passed.