PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8480, 6 July 1907, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

(Abridged from Press Association Report.) LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. ADDRESS-IN-REPLY DEBATE. WELLINGTON, July 5. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Hon. H. Scotland resumed the discussion on the Address-in-Reply. In referring to the recent appointments to the Council he expressed the opinion that the only way to secure perfect independence in the Council was to have members elected for life. He hoped the time would come when the seven years appointments would give place to life membership. The Hon. W. McCardle expressed approval of the freehold tenure. It was the tenure that was best for the settlement of the poor man on the land. He believed in deferred payment with occupancy, and was of opinion that limitation of holdings should be on an acreage basis. No Act had done more for the colony than the Land for Settlements Act, but Isase-in-perpetuity was a great mistake. The Hon. Mr Callan said that he approved of educating the youths of the colony in the use of the rifle, and thought it would be a benefit if the youths of between 18 and 25 years of age were obliged to undergo a system of compulsory military training. The Hon. T. Kelly advocated the .'removal of the duty {'on sugar, which was largely consumed by workers. On the motion j of the Hon. Mr Anstey the debate was adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. The Premier announced that, in consequence of the Hon. W. HallJones' absence from the colony, the following will talo charge of his portfolios :--Hon. J. McGowan, Public Works and Tourist Department; Sir Joseph Ward, Railways; Hon. R. McNab, Defence; Hon. J. A. Millar, Printing Office. Mr H. J. Greenslade, resuming the debate on the Address-in-Reply, expressed himself as satisfied with the progress made with the North Island Main Trunk ralway. Referring to the railway men's grievances he said that there was no denying that great dissatisfaction existed in the service, which should be remedied. Mr A. W. Hogg expressed surprise that more members of the Opposition had not spoken during the debate. He had hoped to have the pleasure of replying to some vigorous attacks on the Ministry, but apparently the Opposition were contented with the promises of the Ministers. He contrasted the present state of affairs with what existed not many years ago when the present Chief Justice sat on the Opposition benches and referred to the Government supporters as "dumb dogs." Touching on the lands for closer settlement question, he complained that the Masterton electorate had been neglected by the Government. Mr J. Stallworthy eulogised the Arbitration Act. Referring to the 'Frisco mail service, he contended that the country generally was keenly feeling the loss of the service. Alluding to the Farmers' Union, he maintained that it did not represent the farmers of New Zealand, but only the great landowners. The farmers proper realised that their best friends did not sit on the Opposition benches. He complained that in the last appointments to the Upper House no one was appointed from North Auckland. He urged upon the Government to give favourable consideration to the tenders received for the construction of Arthur's Pass tunnel onthe Midland railway. The House resumed at 7.30 o'clock. Mr Lang stated that the Government had been criticised *ar more severely by their own supporters than by the Opposition. Consequently he did not see any reason why the debate should be prolonged. Referring to the Wages paid to railway servants., he asserted that the State's own employees should be paid at least the same rate as private employees—if not a little more. Referring to the Land Bill he argued that tenants under L.I. P. should be allowed to transfer their holdings to the O.R.P. If it came to a straight out division they would find the country members in one lobby and the city and suburban members in the other. (Cries of "No, do"). It was a fact that whenever any measure affecting the country came before the House it was always the city members who knew most about it. Kegarding the native land question he stated had the natives been granted a little more freedom in the disposal of their land large tracts of country would now be settled, whereas much of the country was getting overgrown with noxious weeds, and becoming less valuable every day. Mr A. W. Rutherford did think there was a pressing need for a fast mail service, as all that was required for commercial purposes was a regular service via Sydney and Suez. He was strongly opposed to allowing Chinese to enter the colony.