PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9131, 2 July 1908, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (By Telegraph—Abridged from Press Association Report.) i WELLINGTON, July I.' M The Legislative Council met atfl 2.30 o'clock. |H The Hon. C. Louisson moved' Address-in-Reply. said that "fl| thought the reduction in the price "Ah some of the country's commoditiesßj was not a matter for great as the prosperity which had been ex- H perienced had nlaced the settlers in a strong position and well able to stand two or three years depression.

The Hon. J. Rigg seconded the motion speaking generally on the Arbitration Act.

The Council adjourned at 4.50 o'clock.

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES.'

The House met at 2.30 o'clock. The Minister of Labour gave notice to introduce the Arbitration Act Amendment Bill.

Mr T. K. Sidey moved that a committee be appointed to consider the peresent nomenclature of places and towns and geographical characteristics in the Dominion with a view to suggesting alterations or improvements. The motion was carried. ADDRESS-IN-REPLY. Mr J. Allen resumed the Address-in-Reply debate. He charged Ministers with only touring the Dominion on the eve of a general election and making profuse promises respecting railways, roads, telegraphs, etc. Dealing with superannuation funds he said he would , like to see the education, railway and police funds placed on a sound finanical basis. The disposal of 'land under the Land for Settlement Act had not been satisfactory, and provision 'should be made for a lessee at some timseecuring the freehold if he desired. He corrplained that huge suns of money voted by the House year after year for roads and bridges arid other works was unexpended.

Mr T. Wilford dealt chiefly with defence matters, and thought the Defence Council should make provision for quick mobilisation of corps 8 long the lines of communication. He was opposed to the increase in the naval subsidy, believing that money could be better utilised in perfecting our own defences. The House resumed at 7.30 o'clock. Mr C. H. Poole, referring to the prosperity of 'the country, said that they must be cautious against basing calculations upon boom prices. He saw no' necessity fur further increase in thci capital of the Bank of New Zealand,/and had no hesitation in urging that the Government should increase its hold upon the . Bank and give the people of the country the benefit of the profits, instead of allowing them ,to go ir.to tne pockets of private v shareholdeis, who cared nothing for those who hfd helped the Baik. He advocated alsolute majority on the liquor quett'on. and would be sorry to see the Arbitration /ct amended. Mr W. T. Jennings referred to the „ necebsity of roacuiig the bac« blocks, and advocated closer settlement. Dealing with arbitration, matters he said that those, who had worked the recent strikes were net the best friends of the worker?. Peis nally he should I e s rry to see the Act disappear. Mr D. Reid (T*>kri) spoke generally on banking matters, contending that the chief danger of a Sta e Bank was the political pressure that might be brought to bear on it. Referring to the Bank of Ntw Zealand, he said he did not think the shareholders were anxious for an increase in the capital, but the directors thought it necessary as an ordinary business precaution. Mr T. H. Davey complained that a quantity of the parts required for' rolling stock on the Main Trunk Line had been imported, > despite the repeated promises of the Government that any rolling stock which could be manufactured in the Dominion would be. ' .

/ Mr C. E. Major, after dealing with banking matters, &aid the House should do its best to make the Arbitration Act perfect. At 10.45 p.m. Dr. Chappie rose to reply, and at 11.40 p.m. the House adjourned.