PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9621, 14 October 1909, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

By Telegraph—Abridged ftom Press Association Report). WELLINGTON, October 13, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met this evening. Mr B. H. Guthrie (Oroua) resumed the debate on tne Address-in-Reply. H 8 denied that the Government had done anything to relieve the recent depression. He referred to the immense cost of the Land Commission, which report showed a widespread desire for the Freehold. Yet in 1907 the Government had brought in the Land Bill, providing for leasehold. The Government's legislation had the effect of injuring securities on loans, and thus frightening away capital. Mr E. H. Taylor (Thames) followed. He defended the Government's administration, and quoted figures showing the increase in the value of property, public and private wealth, and incomes. A very large proportion of the outcry for tfye freehold was simply indulged in for the purposes of agitation. People were taking up freeholds and letting them thus creating a class of tenant farmers, similar to those at Home. Mr D. Buiick (Palmerston) regretted" that no mention had been made }in the Governor's speech or n" i,: tary raining for the youth of the country. The system of loans for local bodies referred to in the speeech was a desirable one, and ought to have been initiated before. The clamour for expenditure would cease if the Government gave local bodies power to make roads and bridges, and provided loans at a moderate rate of interest