PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9628, 21 October 1909, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

(By Telegraph—Abridged from Press

Association Report.) WELLINGTON, October 20. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

The Legislative Council met at 2.30.

The election of Chairman of Committees resulted in the return of Hon. R. H. J. Reeves (Nelson). Tne debate on the Address-in-Reply was resumed by Hon. W. JBeehan (Auckland), who characterised tlae Dreadnought offer as a great act of Imperialism. Hon. J. Marshall (Westland) applauded the step taken by the Premier in the direction of obtaining cheap money for local bodies. There was very little to complain of in the land system, which was much appreciated. Hon. C.« M. Luke (Wellington) complained of the indecisive character of the Timber Commission's report. Timber millers were deserving of every considaration. He also complained that undue restrictions had been placed upon employers of labour who were harassed in their operations. The Council rose at 5.30.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIV ES.

I The House met at 2.30. j The debate on the Address-in-reply was continued by Mr J. Craigie '(Timaru), who having stated that he, considered the discussion on the Ad-dress-in Reply a waste of time sat down amid applause and laughter. Mr F. Mander (Marsden) dealt at length with the results of the Timber Commission's report. On the land and labour questions he supported the policy of "opportunities for all workers to earn as • much as they could and improve their positions in j life." He favoured the closer settle« ment of land along with the free- | hold in restricted areas, which would ! encourage immigration.

Mr G. Witty (Riccarton) pointed to the loan raised by the Premier when at Home, as evidence proving that the financiers had not lost confidence in the country. Mr W. T. Jennings (Taumaranui) pointed out' that the settlers in the country districts were under great disabilities in procuring education for their children. Regarding land settlement, he complained that practical men had been denied opportunities of acquiring sections, yetblocks were being opened for civil servants who could not work bush sections. The House adjourned at 5.30 o'clock.

On the House resuming in the evening, Mr W. 0. Buchanan (Wairarapa) urged an active p>licy in connection with native lands. The Government had denied that capital had been leaving the Dominion, but there was no doubt that spme wealthy farmers had left our shores while the Government had been assisting immigrants without capital to cime to New Zsuland.

Mr F E. Baume (Auckland East) said that tenants who made a bargain with the State had no right to demand the freehold at the original vaulation. If leasehold tenants were granted the freehold, the price should be based on the present value.

Hon. D, Buddo condemned the wholesale misrepresentation by the Opposition of the Dominion's financial position, He considered- the one agreeable feature of the debate was the fact that many members of the Opposition were quite ready to accept the whole of the Government's legislation. Mr U. M Thomson (Dunedin North) deplored the waste of time in recrimination on both sides of the House. The Premier scarcely realised the amount of feeling that had been created in the country by the suspension of Parliament during his absence. Mr G. W. Forbes (Hurunui) charged the Opposition with chang ing its name, while it retained its TorV character Mr Forbes announced himself a strongly in favour of the ! leasehold tenure, and thought the ! Maoris should be given an opportun- | ity to settle on their lands.

Mr D. Buick (Palmerston) expres sed graticfiation at the Government's announcement to introduce legislation dealing with Native lands He considered the cry of putting Maoriß on the same footing as Europeans a specious cry. Natives should be Allowed a. chance to settle on their own lands.

MrT. E. Y. Seddon (Westland) dealt mainly with miniv/ matters relating to his own ele torate.