PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9140, 16 July 1908, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

» I (By Telegraph—Abridged from Press Association report). LEGISLATiVifi COUNCIL. Wellington; July 15. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Attorney-General, replying to the Hon. W. W. McCardle, said that he would brin« under the notice of the Finance Minister the question that no provisison for advances under the Advances to Settlers Act was made for those taking up lands under private contracts with natives and other land-owners. Mr McCardle mentioned that in the King Country alone there was 200,000 acres so affected. The Incorporated Society's Bill, New Zealand Accountants Bill, and the Meikle Acquittal Bill were read a second time. In reference to the latter Bili, the Hon. J. E. Jenkinson mentioned an Invercargill case in which a man was recently sentenced in the Supreme Court to three months for altering a certificate to enable him to obtain work, and said that he thought the Government in- considering the petitions on the matter might have allowed the man to go free. The Attorney-General, in reply, said that the most careful consideration had been given to the case by the Government, and if Mr Jenkinson was aware of all the circumstances he would not ask this, or any other, Government to release the man. In the interest of the man concerned he did not think it prudent to produce the papers in the case, but he would do so if desired. The Council adjourned at 3.15 p.m,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. The Premier read a cable showing that the demand for wool was teen and prices were rising at the London sales. General satisfaction was expressed by the members at this. In reply to a question, vhe Minister stated that the Gjvfnment was not aware that rumours, that it was intended to ir.civase the Government fire insurance rates, were well bounded. The Government, however, had been a-lvised that the presei t rates were probatly too low to mett the risks run, but tha matter had net yet been coiisidirtd The Government iutendtd to amend the Municipal Corporation Act, 1900, to enable Borough Councils owning and working gas wi-rks to sell coal to their burgesses and others, but whether it would be dene this session depended upon the progress of public business. Replies to other questionna were given as follows: —That so far as the Government Lending Department was concerned, they have not Refused to grant loans upon lands that the awners have granted petroleum rights over; that the Government did not propose to make provision in the Old Age Pensions Act for the payment of pensions to tersons who are incapacitated from work by accident or permanent illness without requiring to wait until they attain "the age of 63; that the Government could not ajree to the free carriage on railways of agricultural salt; that th.3 Government could not grant return tickets at single rales to farmers and others travelling to n:arfctt en narkct 3aya. In paafc years a special concesJon shrJlra;to that suggested '?,*a3 ' Introduced;' y and Fo'grois&ly abused, that it had to be discontinued; that the Government was not aware that Australian flour was arriving bearing the nam? and brand of New Zealand flour-Inillevs?' but the Customs officers had been instructed to look for such cases; that a Bill was now under consideration for the purpose of dealing with sheddy goods, and would deal with branding.

At 7.30 p.m. Mr 0. M. Gray resumed the Financial Statement debate, reviewing the progress of the public works policy since the days of Sir Julius Vogel, and the development of the Dominion for .past thirty years. He advocated the utilisation of the water power resources of the Dbminion, and thought a beginning should be made with the electrification of the ChristchurchLyttelton railway. Mr A. S. Malcolm thought that the Government deserved some of the credit for the prosperous condition of the Dominion, but they .were too anxious to take upon themselves the -' whole credit. He favoured an increased naval subsidy. Mr G. Witty urged great caution under the new land settlement proposals, by which a settler could borrow all the money required for the purchase of land. He thought a settler should put 10 per cent, down in cash. After supper, Mr Witty,. continuing, said that professional agitation was not required in the labour world, and pught to be turned out. Mr F. Mander approved of the roading policy of the Government, and appealed for the development of North Auckland. Mr Mander complained of the policy of forcing up land valuations, and said that the Government were not as much the friends of the farmer as they pretended. To populate the North the freehold must be granted. The best class of immigrants should be encouraged, but the freehold must be given to them. He opposed the co-operative labour system as unsatisfactory. Mr C. H. Izard said the Ministers must visit all parts of the Dominion in the recess. Tne result of the Premier's visits was the roading proposals of the Budget. Th« progress of the country since the Liberals had come into power was undoubted. Mr Izard defended the land policy of the Government, and expressed approval of the proposed increase of the naval subsidy. On the motion of Mr D. Reid, junr., the debate was adjourned. The House rose at 11.40 p.m.