THE ESTIMATES

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10714, 7 September 1912, Page 5

THE ESTIMATES

FURTHER CONSIDERED BY THS HOUSE.

OFFSTIOX OF GOVERNMENT " HOUSES.

(By Telegraph-Press Aasociation.l

WELLINGTON, Last Night. The House of Representatives went into committee this afternoon to further consider the Estimates. At the item of £64,792 for■ public* buildings, Mr Pcarce asked what the* Government's intentions wore with recard to the maintenance of two Go*coroner's residences. Ho thought t-iafc as a new Governor was coming out the present was a fitting time to effect a change, so that only one establishment shall exist. . , ~ -n ~. Mr Forbes agreed with Mr Pearce, and said, to test tho feeling of the committees on the question of a reduction. of expenditure in the country he-would move to reduce tho vote by £1 as an,indication that only one Government House was necessary. ■ Mr* Myers said the removal of tn© Government House from Auckland would be a crime. The building had been established when Auckland was tho capital city, and that city might again bo the capital. Sir Joseph Ward said that from r.rt economical standpoint a certain. amount of expense was essential m connection with the housing of ths representative of the King. He thought;, it was a great pity this question cam» up every session. _ The Hon W. F. Massey said he agreed with the member for Awarua, and ho thought it was a great shama that the cry.of North v. South was continually raised. He knew there was a great amount of sentimental feeling about the Government Hous« at Auckland'. An arrangement had: - been entered into with the new Government whereby houses would be provided for the Governor at Wellington and Auckland. The Imperial Government had a propriety interest in ,h» house and grounds at Auckland. Ho did not think .they could interferewithout the consent..of Imperial authorities, 3 , ( ._"*"

gtr Joseph Ward deprecated the continued interruption of the passage <•? the Estimates by the moving of amendments to reduce way, the whole of tl- Wfl"«Ta&. W 'pftsse9 in 6im wife, and the work Of the Country proceeded with: (Ap* platiSe.) . \ •■'... Mf Faroe's thereupon withdrew hisf amendment. -':..•

Mr G. Laurerison moved td. reduce the vote for Parliament Buildings by £1 as an indication. that the Government should, during the recess, make some inquiry as to, whether it would not be wise, to shift the capital. from its present position. Mr D. Buddo urged the appointment of a Commission, similar to that set up in 1866, for the pureose of deciding upon a Charitable Commission to go thoroughly into the matter and report to Parliament'. Subsequently Mr Laurenson withdrew his amendment, expressing Lis intention to move an amendment at a Inter date, with a view of getting s. division on the question.

The whole vote, totally £107,n»2, then nassed unamended.

NATIVE DEPARTMENT. Class VI., Nativo Department, £23,551, was passed.

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT. The Justice Department vote of £400,139 was then considered. '.. Iw reply to Mr Isitt, the Minister said provision would be made 2iext sessioij for the alteration of the conditions of magistrates.

Messrs Bell and Hanan contended that magistrates should be properiy traincd and properly qualified. The Hon A. L. Herdman, in repiy to-criticism of the present method cf magistrates acting as coroners, said the system had worked very well. The question of magistrates' salaries ' deserved serious-Consideration.-, He said it was desirable that magistrates should have had a legal training before going upon the bench. Sir Joseph Ward asked if the Government would inquire as to the advisability of appointing all members of the House, other than lawyers. Justices of the Peace, if they .were wilLing to accept the position. He understood that, as a matter of professional etiquette, lawyers did not accept the -office.

The Hon A. L. Herdman, in reply, said tlio hunger for the appointment of Justices, of the Peace at the present time was amazing. One hundred and twenty had, been appointed since hia Government had taken office.

After the,session closed, he proposed to go through another list, and mak» appointments. He thought appointments should not only be made annually, but as need arose. He could not see why members of Parliamentand chairmen of county councils should not be ex-officio J.'sP. PUBLIC DEFENDERS.

Mr G. W r . Russell moved a reduction of the vote for criminal prosecutions by £l, as an indication that the Government should next session bring down legislation with a view to providing for public defenders in the Supreme Court.' Mr W. H. B. Bell thought there were cases in the lower Court whore the police unduly pressed cases, and he held that public defenders should begin in thb loner Court. Mr Hindmarsh said idie poorest man could get the best medical attention in , the "hospital, and he hoped the rimo would come when the poorest man accused of a crime would be able tor command the very best legal advice.

Mr Hanan said it was only a matter of time when they ivould have a Bureau of Justice. He could not see any harm emanating from tho establishment of a Crown defender.

The Hon A. L. Herdman, replying,, said there was no need for a defender. The expense of such a procedure was not warranted. No one would plead guilty if they were defended, and the position would bo ridiculous. He was seriously considering the advisability of'adopting the Poor Prisoners Defence Act, which operate*! in England. He would in all probability ask the House next session toplace a similar measure on tho Statute Book. The total vote was passed unaltered. MINES DEPARTMENT. The vote of £32,237 for the Mines Department was the next to bo taken. Messrs Poland and Colvin pleadci? for increased salaries for Mine Inspectors. The Director of Geological Surveys should also receive consideration: in that respect. , .The Minister said tho solicitations #»** •behalf ofrthe .officers we'ifd, receive his careful consideration w'nnn the Supplementary Estimates cam" down. Tho Minister also sai<? he woufil consider the jtossibiHtiea cf' procuring a public crushing battery. The rote, was passed.