PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9150, 24 July 1908, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE^

By Telegraph—Abridged from Press Association Report.

WELLINGTON, July 23. The House met at 2.30 p.m. The Farriers Bill (No. 2) introduced, and read a first time. The Education Act Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor's Message and read a first time. FINANCIAL DEBATE. The Financial Debate was resumed Ly Mr E. G. Allen (Chalmers), who approved of the tiudget, and expressed gratification at the new land settlement proposals. He went on to show that the Liberal Government were the best friends of the farmers, and had fostered the dairy industry so that we ran Denmark close on the London market. He supported an increase in the naval subsidy. Volunteers should be encouraged. He was glad that an amendment to the Education Act had been brought down.

The Hon. C. H. Mills said that the financial position was satisfactory, though we had been affected by the American money crisis. Money must be borrowed to develop a young country. The revtnua was under-esti-mated. The Custom? would yield much more than anticipated. The sugar remission had not in hisofinion been of very great benefit. He supported the visit of the American Fleet. Credit was due to the Prime Minister for the Advances to Settlers Act, which was the most beneficial measure on the Statute book. The workers homes were too pretentious and the rents too high. Regarding the importation of Oiegon pine the sawmiller was pioneer of all bush settlements, and deserved together with those dependent on him the Government's protection. He regretted that there was no mention of the South Island Main Trunk Line in the Budget. He congratulated the Government upon taking over the Manawatu line, and hoped soon to see a smart terry service to Picton. Mr W. H. Field (Otaki) referred to the price of wool. He said that not only the wool king was affected, but the small farmer alsu —the latter very severely. There had been a fall in other products, and money was scarce. He urge,J the Government to give farmers instruction in sheep farming The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m., and resumed at 7.30 p.m.

Mr W. Symes supported the freehold, and advocated a comprehenshe local Government Bill. National arnuitiea and old age pensions should be consolidated. He supported the special land settlement proposals. Mr J. Graham followed, and justified borrowing for necessary development. So Ion? as the railways naid 3 per cent, the policy of concessions should continue.

Mr W. T. Jennings said that h:s district was one of the most go-ahead in the Dominion. He justified the borrowing of the Government. He appealed fP¥ wiicic-blcekß.

gir W. J. jjH?wnrd said, that indirect taxation ffej'l toO hg&viiy oh the worker. The ordinary land tax shoul.l be abolished. A farmer should be taxed in prcpoition to his income. The sugar duty should not have abolished, as it would have paid for the rnading of the back-blocks, ii - creasing teachers' salaries, aid improving the internal defence. He supported an increase of the naval subsidy. Sir William Steward Euppoited the epetiiil land settlement proposals of the Government and the roadirg of the back-blocks. Branch railway lines must be pro- - vided to enable settlers to use the trunk lines.

Mr J. T. Hogan said that taxation did not bear heavily on the working class. He said that increase of the public debt for the expenditure on reproductive works was justified. Old age pensions should not be foifeited for occasional drunkenness, but should be administered by the local body. He opposed the tax on Oregon pine, saying that importations were insignificant and did not seriously affect sawmillers. The increased duty was wanted by the timber ring.