PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9623, 16 October 1909, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, October 13.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

The Legislative Council met at 2.30 o'clock

The Hon. F. Trask (Nelson) resumed the debate on the Address-in-reply. He approved of the financial work accomplished by the Premier in London. The Hon. C. F. W. Carncross Taranaki) thought that compulsory training would be a good thing but he did no believe the people of the Dominion would take kindly to it. He thought, however, more vital interest might be taken in the volunteer mo\ement, and giving such encouragement as would increase public interest in it. He suggested that small pay might be given to young non-commissioned officers to give drill instructions at schools. The Government had to be congratulated upon bringing about a certain measure of retrenchment. He hoyed the scheme would be kept up. The Hon. H. Scotland (Taranaki) disapproved of the naval agreement. The position was entirely due to letting a delegate go Home unfettered. He deplored the fact that the Dominion had drifted into the dreadful state of being under a oneman Government.

The Hon. W. W. McCarrlle (Auckland) considered tha*; compulsory training was the very last thing that should be resorted to. Speaking or, the land question, ha contended that holders of 999 years'-leases should be relieved of restrictions and the interference of Land Boards after complying with the necessary conditions. The debate was adjourned.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The House met at 2.30. The debate on the Address-in-Reply was continued by Mr F. W. Lang (Manukau), who referred in deprecatory terms to the laboui legislation.

Mr H. G. Ell (Christchurch South), dealing with the Timber Commission, denied that high wages had been chiefly responsible for the increased cost of production in the timber industry. Th's was due to the fact that as the timber areas were utilised millers had ta go further back into the bush, which entailed greater expense in working. The House adjourned till 7.30 o'clock.