PARLIAMENTARY

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10424, 15 September 1911, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY

THE FINANCIAL DEBATE CONTINUED IN THE HOUSjO. By Tdegraphr-Frcss Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. The csabate on the Budget was resumed in the House of Representatives this afternoon by Mr Dive, who deplored the absence from the Budget of a Land Bill and a Local Government Bill. Regarding the Government dairy herds, he declared that the Ayrshire herd was very poor, and that the majority of the animals would not bring 30s in the open market. He condemned the "taihoa" policy of dealing with the Native lands, and criticised the administration of the experimental farms by the Agricultural Department. Mr J. C. Thompson contended that the Opposition, by -dealing only in half facts respecting the public debt, were not fair to the country. They omitted to state the assets. He asked could the social and"" intellectual welfare of the people be better catered for than under the present Government? In the matter of defence, ne considered the country was doing everything possible, and he deprecated any .self-constituted body asking intending candidates to do more in the matter of expenditure. Mr Newman said the Budget was ] a good election one, and provided j bribes for political support for every section of the community. He regretted the absence of a Land Bill in the Budget, also that the Lands for] Settlement Act was not being made better use of. He urged greater ex-, pediency in dealing with the Native Lands, which wore increasing in value every year. He regretted there was nothing proposed regarding our industries. The'legislation which had been passed had had a paralysing effect upon them, and the present position was discouraging. Mr Sidey expressed satisfaction at the railway proposals for Otago, and complimented the Government upon the activity it had displayed in the unemployment question. He also complimented the Minister of Agriculture upon his activity in the multifarious duties coming within his scope. He welcomed the setting up of a Royal Commission to ascertain to what extent monopolies existed in the Dominion. It was absurd to contend that the Government had not reduced taxation, and the /tendency was ', to reduce indirect and increase direct taxation. ' i Mr G. M. Thomson urged the impoiianc* ofpttttingvafforestation work on a scientific basis, and advocated the* appointment of a Chief Forester for five years, a* £IOOO He complained of the vague way in which information respecting experiments was given in the Agricultural Jolirna.l. Mr Reed remarked upon the circum- | stance that although the Budget was I as important as any placed before the House and an Opposition counterblast was expected, the only front-bencher to reply was the Leader of the Opposiposition. He .approved of the humanitarian proposals in the Budget, and maintained that the Opposition had constantly opposed better provision for the aged and needy. He traversed the statements that the Government had some of the Opposition planks in tiho Budget. ' Mr Okeysaid the allegation- tha*. the front benches of the Opposition were silent applied to the Government as well. He averred that the Opposition was responsible for the Workers' Homer, scheme, which was quite as beneficia.l as the old age pensions scheme. He urged the pushing on pf railways wofks in the backblocks. He would supnort the humanitarian proposals of the Budget. The House adjourned at 11.55 p.m.