PARLIAMENT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12636, 25 October 1905, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

(Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, October 24 Tho Council resumed at 7.30.

In committee on the Medical Practitioners' Registration Bill, the tfon Marshall moved the following new clause: ' 'In the ease of any person not possessed of qualifications entitling him to registration under the principal Act, it shall be lawful for the Governor-in-Council to place upon a. separate register tho name of any such person provided he gives proof that he has passed through a due course of study at a recognised school of medicine and surgery, and that he has practised in a reputable manner as a medical practitioner in New Zealand during five years at least prior to the passing of this Act, and such person, when so registered, shall hav>a all the rights of a registered medical practitioner." This was lost on the voices, and the Bill was reported without amendment and put through its final stages.

Tba Council rose at 9.30

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MAORI LAND SETTLEMENT BILL

After the Telegraph Office closed a lengthy debate took place on the third (reading of the Maori Land Settlement Bill. In replying; Mr Carroll said that the policy of the Bill was the same as when it was read a second time in the House. The-amendments made had simply been in the direction of simplifying the machinery. The Bill passed cts final stages on the voices. The House rose at 1.15 a.m. till 11 a.m. next day. The House meb at 11 a.m. FIRST READING. The Crown. Suits Amendment Bill (Millar) was read a first time. On the motion of Mr Seddon, a resolution was placed on record, regretting the death of the Hon. J. T. Peacock, and expressing condolence with his family. As a mark of respect to the deceased/ Councillor's memory the House adjourned till 2.30. ■>. The House resumed at 2.30. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Three days' leave of absence 'was granted to Mr E. G. Allan on account of urgent public business, and three days to Mr Mander on urgent private business. PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT DEBATE. The Hon. Hall-Jones moved the second reading of the Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Bill, which provides for the raising of £1,000,000. : ~:| The debate was also taken as an opportunity for debating the Public Works! Statement. ;; ■..."..' . • • •" ' ; | In framing the estimates theHon;? Hall-Jones said he had been largely guided by the reports of the public offiors. The works that had been provided for last year had made good proI gresg t> and he had no doubt "that with the increased amount asked for this yeair better progress would be made than had been done for several years past. It was true that some works had been overlooked on the Public Works Estimates, but these would be provided for on the supplementary estimates. Great care, forethought, and prudence had been -exercised by the Government in allocating the votes for this year, and the "Government was satisfied that a policy of fair progress was preferable to borrowing three or four millions to finish some of the works in hand. Referring to the votes for the utilisation of water power, he said he wished to disabuse members' minds of the idea that the Government were nailed down to the particular sources of supply named in the Public Works Statement. Any other sources of power would be enquired into.

Mr Massey expressed the hope that when the Government went on the English market for this loaoi they would be able to get it at a lower rate than they had been compelled to pay last year. In (his opinion four per cent, was much for this colony to pay for money. He regretted that the Colony's stock (had not risen as predicted by the Premier, and he could only attribute it to the fact that the English money lender had lost confidence, not in the country, but in the Government Of the country. He expressed the opinion .that there was a tremendous waste in connection with our public works expenditure and, co far as our system of (railway construction was concerned, he advocated the setting up of a Royal Commission of Enquiry. He believed the work of such a Commission would pay; the Colony handsomely and lead to a better state of things in regard to our railway construction. The condition of affairs in regard to the North Island Main Trunk line was, he considered, a standing disgrace to the Government. He expressed pleasure at tho fact that''the Government had made provision for the utilisation of the water power of the Colony, and suggested that the Government' should take the Huka Falls or Waikaremoana for the purpose of demonstrating what could be done in the matter.

The House resumed at 7.30,

Continuing the debate, Mr. Hogg said he regarded the amount on the Estimates as only the small beginning of the most gigantic and comprehensive water power policy in tho world. He advocated enterprising'and progressive expenditure for the fostering of the industries of the colony. .

Mr. Herries contended that the colony had not got as. good terms as it should have done for its loans. He insisted on, the necessity of greater speed in expending public works votes. Sn far the expenditure had been very slow, and he hoped that during the summer the works would.be carried on with greater expedition. Mr, E. Mv Smith advocated a .liberal land policy. He challenged the Oppo*iit|>n; to go to the country with a proposal toaremove any of the policy Aots of-the Government from the Statute Book.

Mr. Duncan claimed that the Flaxbourne Estate was one of the moßt

successful purchases of the whole series, of resumptions. Mr. Jas. Allen insisted that the ad* vent of a good Administration to* power would restore the colony's stocksto the top of the quotation He wasashamod to say that the Governmentlet. the colony go to the dogs to keep itself in power, and its followers supported them. He would be told presently that he was debasing the colony^. but no would continue to denounce; thoso who had debauched the constituencies with bribery. Mr. Seddon, replying to Mr. JamessAllen, said tho fact was that the hon_ member hankered after the Treasurybenches, but found himself furthex 1* from them every year. He ventured* to say Mr. Allen would not refer tohis speech of that night on the hustings, and that when he had slept the~ sleep of the just he would greatly modify his "Hansard" proof. The Premier went on to declare that the amount; asked for in the Bill was fair and just, in view of the progress and prosperity of the colony. With regard to the* stock quotations, he urged that New 2ealand stocks were better in most lines than most of the other colonies^ He declared that the colony was financially sound and prosperous, and wouldc continue to prosper in spite of the attempts to destroy its credit and fairfame.- He asked the hon. members opposite if they had a feeling that theGovernment was asking far too heavy^ borrowing powers to say so in a. straightforward manner, and not beginby assisting to put the measures om tho Statute Book and end by denouncing the- Government as the debauchers~ of the House and country.