N.Z. PARLIAMENT.

Waikato Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1599, 4 July 1903, Page 2

N.Z. PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. YESTERDAY. The Council met at 2.30 ADDRESS-IN-KEPLt. M Rige resumed the debate on the Addrees-i.i-E-ply. He contended the present position of the Bmk of New Zealand was due to the extraordinary prosperity of the colony, which had fortunately relieved us of the result of the Bank's own incapacity. The Premier had submitted three ways of dealing with the Bank in the future, but there was a fourth, which was to leave the institution alone. The speakf r traversed the remarks made by previous speakers retarding preferential trade, holding that it was undesirable to impose additional duties on goods which could only be obtained from foreign cout tries, as that would be a direct tax upon the colony. The benefits of preferential trade would be to British capitalists at the expense of everyone else. A good deal had been said about building up the Empire, but entering into bonds would result in friction. The Empire could beat be built by reliance upon the ties of blood and kindred. Mr Beehan thought the establishment of a State Bank should be seriously considered, lie would like to see the Government take over the estates from the Assets Realisation Board and open them up for settlement. He did not favor granting of the freehold. If sooner we taught the people how to go on the laud and make the best use of it the better. He favoured roading the lands before settlement and granting the city men an opportunity to get lands without residence. With regard to the electoral laws, he thought it would be advantageous to issue electoral rights with a photograph of the voter in the corner to prevent mistakes. The licensing laws should b* amended so as 'o allay the friotion now distuning the colony. Mr G. MoLean thought the Aseets Roard should have .realised the estates long ago, and compkineci of the difficulty experienced by men with small means in getting upon the land under present laws., He advocated pushing on with the North Island Main Trunk line, instead of spending money upon sectional lines over the colony. This would enahle a million and a-half acres of native lauds to be opened for settlement, to the great advantage of the whole colony. With regard to land tax values, he combatted the mover's assertion that lands ware under-valued. He knew of a ereat many instances where they wers overvalued. The Land Tax Department knew how to look after its business. Mr Lee-Smith moved the adjournment of the debate until Tuesday, which was agreed to. The Council rose at 4.55 p.m.