HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Waikato Times, Volume VII, Issue 348, 6 August 1874, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The adjourned debate on the Forests Bill was resumed. Mr Macandrew regretted that he was constrained to vote against the bill, though anxious to preserve tfie forests. Why should the control of forest lands be removed from those who hitherto administered them 1 A great deal of what he called flap-doodle was introduced in debates as to the " people of the colony," jusfc as if the people of the provinces were not the people of the colony. If the Siate did anything, why not distribute seeds of forest trees by the million for people to plant ? Why, if the State saw reason to engage in the timber enterprise, should it not also grow grain or do anything else usually left to private enterpriseThere was ample timberin the colony to supply all the requirements for hundreds of years. He objected to the bill also as giving usanother of those permanent institutions of which we already had tco many. Mr O'Conor supported the bill. It was dangeious to leave so important a question to the uncertainty of private enterprise. Mr Buckland opposed the measure. There was too much interference with private enterprise. What the country really wanted was to hedgerow small plantations. Although Auckland utilised more timber than all the other provinces, it planted more trees than it cut down. These would replace disappearing kauri forests. If Government intended to establish a college, why not establish an Agricultural CoUege. While admiring the thoroughness with which the Premier had done his work in this matter, as in all others, he hoped he would confine himself to properly carrying out that other work in hand which was making his name famous. Mx-Rolleston said the provisions regaiding f-jrest laud and disforested land seemed to have presented difficulties greater than the Premier could cope with. The bill pressed too heavily upon private enterprise, and aimed at taking too much land from the provinces. The objects of the bill had his sympathy, but not its provisions. He was surprised that the Premier should think he would secure the approbation of the people of the provinces to a measure appropriating their lands for revenue purposes. He opposed the bill, because its effect was practically to cripple provincial institutions, and in no way was it calculated to benefit the people of the colony or the provinces. Mr Bluett thought the principal provisions of the bill seemed to be misunderstood. He highly approved of the idea of a training college, also of one for agriculture. He would give the measure his warmest support. Mr Bunny warmly opposed the bill, as it was a measure to confiscate the lands of the colony, especially of the North Island. As far as Wellington "was concerned, this bill really might as well take their whole estate, 90 per cant, of which was fo v est land. The object of Wellington was how to dis-forest her land. lie would go with Government if they wished, to resume the control of the waste lands of the colony, but that was another matter. The real way to preserve their forests was to sell them, and plant fiesh ones where required. Mr Luekie supported the bill, as a sound statcamnnlike measure, for which future generations would thank the House. He regretted that the information on this measure and the Polynesian papers had not been longer before the public, so as to enable them fully to grasp the many benefits presented. The chief opponents to the measure were Superintendents and those interested in keeping up a system of provincialism — all connected by the tie of pocket. The strongest supporters of the bill admitted the principle to be right, but only opposed details. Mr Hunter deprecated introducing motives of provincial supporters as unjust, all being representatives of the people. He had understood with the majority of the members that the measure would not have been pressed further than the second reading until the hon member for Timaru forced from the Government the statement that they intended to press the measure. It seemed to be right to encourage planting in the South Island, and to encourage clearing in the North. The Government should not meddle with the land laws of the provinces. Mr Andrews supported the bill for other than climatic reasons. [The debate was proceeding when the telegraphic office closed.]