PARLIAMENT

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 8 November 1912, Page 5

PARLIAMENT

i THE SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES. i I (By Telegraph—:: reus Auociation.) • WELLINGTON, Last Night. The House resumed its sitting in committee on the Estimates. At tlio Working Railways Dcparti ment, £846, Mr Poland moved a rei duction of £1 on tho ground that the compassionate allowance of £SO to Adam Phillip was insufficient.—The ■ motion was defeated by 32 votes to 20. At the Supreme Court vote, Sir Joseph Ward moved a reduction of £1 in order to ascertain from tho Attor-ney-General what method is followed in selecting lawyers as King's counsel. He asked whether these appointments were to be bestowed only on Auckland and Wellington lawyers. Wellington, he said, had already a considerably preponderating number of King's counsel as compared with other centres. Mr L. M. Isitt said Mr C. B. Morison was a prominent and enthusiastic Reform supporter, and such appointments as this gave rise to tho >cry of "Spoils to the victors." The Hon A. L. Herdman said.law- , yers desirous of this distinction must,, apply for it, and if they are worthy of it, they aro appointed. There had 1 been no applications from outside the four centres. Mr Morison's work on Company Law was practically a standard work, and he was recognised as an authority on Native matters. Sir Joseph Ward said this was tho first time he had heard that lawyers ; had to apply for this distinction. The previous list of appointments had , included prominent supporters of the j then Opposition, such as Mr H. D. Bell. Mr Davey said it was strange that there were now seven King's counsel in Wellington, and only one in Christ. church. Mr Statham said it was recognised , in Dunedin that the strongest bar in the Dominion was that of Wellington. Sir Joseph Ward urged that the Appellate Court should sit in each of j the four centres in turn. ! The item was passed unaltered. | On the Cook Islands vote, £Bl6. Messrs Escott and Hine protested i against the keeping of a secretary of ' the Department in Wellington at £6OO por annum, and to the controversy over the medical officer in the group. The Hon Br Pomare replied that the natives of tbe Cwk IblmmJ? were better looked after than any othei* natives in the Pacific. Dr Newman asked whether the Government were taking steps to appoint a Resident Commissioner. The Hon Dr Pomare said the matter would be gone fully into during the recess. The Hon W. F. Massey added that' tho appointment would probably be ( made within a very short period. At the miscellaneous services vote, Mr Laurenson expressed.appreciation of the granting of an annuity of £l5O per annum to Lady Steward. On the Defence vote. Mr Escott asked the Minister to guarantee not to exceed the estimate. He thought the defence scheme was costing the country more than it ought to.. It would have been cheaper to follow out tho Australian scheme. The Hon J. Allen said the Australian schemo was costing more than Lord Kitchener's estimate. The cost of equipment was very heavy this year.

At the Land and Survey Department vote, Mr Buchanan said he considered the valuers' salaries were inadequate. The Hon W. F. Masaey replied that he was trying to get the best men available, and would provide adequate salaries. At the State Forests Branch, Mr G. M. Thomson asked whether the appointment, -of ~'a ..State , .Forrester would be made. The Hon WrF. : Masseyr'eplied that during;the- recess • a .commissioner would be appointed to ~go into tlie wholo matter. The whole estimates were then passed, without alteration. WASHING UP BILL. The House disagreed with the amendment made by the Council to the Washing Up Bill, and Messrs Hemes, Massey and Russell were appointed a committee to draw up reasons. APPROPRIATION BILL. The Appropriation Bill was passed, and the House adjourned for the session, jnst before midnight.