PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 142, 2 November 1912, Page 8

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1012. ' By Cable— Press Association— Copyright. Wellington, Last Night. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. THE NATIVE LAND BILL. The Native Land Amendment Bill was read a second time pro forma, and referred to the .Native Land Committee. IN MEMORIAM.

Mr. BelPmoved a similar resolution regarding the late Sir W. J. Steward as was passed in Uie other Chamber. He referred in eulogistic terms to the late lion, member's public career, during more than forty years. Messrs. Camcross, Mills, Parata and' Samuel also spoke. The motion was carried. SECOND READINGS.

In the evening the Railways Amendment Bill, Kaiapoi Reserve Bill, East Coast Native Trust Bill, Lands Amendment Bill, Uublic Reserves Amendment Bill, and Savings Banks Amendment Bill were read a second time.

The Local Bodies' Loan Amendment Bill was read a second time, and the Bill was put through all its stages and passed. The Council adjourned at 11.30 p.m. till 11 a.m. on Monday. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. ST. HELEN'S HOSPITAL.

Mr. Glover asked the Minister for Public Health to hold an enquiry into the management of the St. Helen's Hospital. He intimated that he had received a telegram from the. secretary of the Waterside Workers' Union demanding such an enquiry. ,

Mr. Myers said that he had received a similar telegram.

Mr. R. H. in reply, said that he had. received ..similar messages, and had replied to tWeni. 1

HOME RULE.

Mr. Myers.stated that he had received a communication from the Young Ireland Party in Auckland; asking that the New Zealand Parliament' should pass a resolution in favor of 'Home Rule for Ireland.

The Prime Minister replied that he could not see liis- way to ask Parliament to interfere in the question.

BREACH OF PRIVILEGE.

In connection with the breach of privilege motion moved' by Mr. McCallum, dealing with a crfcuHtr received by him which concerned Mr. Scott, M.P. for Otago Central, Mr. Scott this afternoon unreservedly withdrew his statement made during the debate on the Financial Statement that.his (Mr. Scott's) opponent at the late'elections had been conducted around the•:electorate by Catholic priests. THE MOKAU CASE. The report of ■ the committee which heard the petition of Joshua oJnes, already presented in, the Council, was presented, and. the .debate on it was postponed until next ;sitting day.

SIR W. J. STEWARD.

Mr. Ma'ssey moved, in connection with the death of Sir W. J. .Steward, that the House records its high sense of the distinguished services' rendered by the late Sir W. J. Steward, and extends its condolences to his wife and family. The Prime Minister mentioned that the deceased gentleman had been 41 years in Parliament, and,,was-rightly known'as the "Father of the House." No member looked after his Parliamentary duties or was more often in his seat than Sir W. J. Steward. He was certain that he had not one enemy in the country. He had held the highest positions possible in the Parliament of the land, and had succeeded always in maintaining order and promoting harmony. He had succeeded in placing more legislation on the Statute Book than any other private member. His own feelings could be expressed in the line, "Honor to his memory, peace to his ashes." Mr. G. W. Russell and other members also spoke in eulogy of the deceased, and the House adjourned as a mark of respect until the evening. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. THE LOAN BILL.

Mr. Allen moved the second reading of the Loan Bill, which it 'had been arranged should be debated in conjunction with the Public Works Statement. The Minister stated that the financial market was not very favorable at the present time, but he hoped to approach it with confidence. He had every reason to believe that the revenue would exceed the estimates for the current yar. He hoped to be able so to manipulate the finances that the loan money would keep the country g6ing until March, 1914, without trenching on the Consolidated Fund. The real reason for the loan was that on March 31 last liabilities and commitments were very heavy, and had to be met. He thought that borrowing should be brought down to reasonable limits, though he did not suggest that borrowing should cease altogether. He depreeated the amounts annually charged to public accounts for public buildings in such a young country as this. Such an expenditure should not be encouraged. He believed that the facts relating to New Zealand could be so put before English investors that monev could bo raised at a cheaper rate than by the States of Australia. He hoped the money to be raised would be expended on reproductive works. Mr. G. W, Russell said that the result of the Finance Minister's visit to London would be looked forward to with interest. He emphasised the necessity! for expenditure on roads in back-blocks, and for opening up lands there. He, quoted London Stock Exchange figures to show that New Zealand stocks had fallen since the present Government came into power. Deposits in the Savings Bank also showed a lack of confidence in the Government. The deposits were £284,000. less up to the end of September this year than last year. Mr. Malcolm said that the fact that deposits had gone down in the Savings Banks indicated that there was greater prosperity in industrial circles.

Mr. Nosworthy said that the falling' in stocks was partly due to the war in J the Balkans.

Mr. Maeßoiiald held, in connection with the co-operative system of public works, that as soon as (lie Minister I; id gone round and inspected the works he would be satisiied in a great many cases.

Mr. Brown criticised the action of the Government in closing down the East Coast railway works, which would, he said, if prosecuted, open up thousands of acres of native land/

Mr. McKenzic urged that the sooner the back-blocks were roaded the better ' for all concerned. Last year's expenditure in that direction was the largest in the history of the Dominion. He contended that there would be plenty of money for public works. Mr.' Fraser, referring to withdrawals rorn the Savings Banks, explained that here were thousands of people with' rieans who used the Savings Banks for -heir own purposes, end now, when in■ercst was running at 6y 3 per cent., they laturally would not leave their money n Government Banks. People were sendng hundreds of thousands of pounds out if New Zealand for investment ..in other countries, with the result that there was lot in New Zealand at present sufficient apital for the ordinary industries of he country. That was the cause of righ interest. It would, he said, be a setter policy to exercise self-reliance intil a loan could be raised on more idvanlageous terms, Roads should come irst in the scheme of public works, r- m] n order to enable them to obtain ti: iccessary funds he had stopped railw.-n vorks for the present. There wore 20 ections in hand too many. He proposed ,o vist the various localities during the •ecess and see for himself the condition >f things. He. urged that it would be het,er to have light railways or tramways it a cost of £2OOO a mile than bad roads n certain country districts. Mr. Hanan supported light railways ind advocated a national board of roads. At 1 a.m. Mr. Allen comnu'wed his eply. Referring to the fall of stocks le said that it was not New Zei'l&nd .toeks alone that had fallen. The fall n New Zealand had been very low in omparison with that in Australian tocks. The Government had saved the ttuation and the people outside had now , sense of security tlhey had not i-.£id for ',O years. The second reading was carried. PUBLIC WORKS ESTIMATES.

The Public Works Estimates were taken in committee, and progress was reported on the first item.

The House rose at 1.10 a.m.