HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8725, 26 November 1913, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WELLINGTON, 1 November 25 The House met at 2.30 p.m.: . Auckland Exhibition.

Replying to Sir Joseph Ward, the i Hon. W. F. Massey said he could not say whether the House would adjourn in order to enable members to visit the Auckland Exhibition. Arrangements were being made to 'enable those | members who desired to do so to visit, the Exhibition, but if the House was I to be adjourned it would only be for. one day, viz., on the Monday. Hospital Bill. The Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act Amendment Bill-, was. introduced by Governor's Message.

The Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes Explained .that .the Bill was mostly of, a machinery nature. A penalty was imposed on those Boards which did not send in their return within the specified time. Power was also given' to elect a member to a Board, although he did not reside in the district.

The Bill was read a first time. West, Coast Native Reserves.

Die West Coast Settlement Reserves Act Amendment Bill was also introduced by "Governor's Message.

Mr Ell protested against 'the introduction of a highly contentious Bill at th's stage of the session. The Hon. W. JJ. Homes denied that there was anything contentious in the Bill. Its provisions had been agreed upon by the parties concerned. The Bill only referred to the 1881 leases, which had to be dealt with this session. It proposed to extend the leases for 10 years. After that the land would go back to the Natives. " Ho proposed to refer the Bill to the Native Affairs Committee, and ho was certain that the committee would not allow an' improper measure to go through. , The Bill was read a first time, and referred to the Native Affairs Committee. Public Revenues Bill. The Public Revenues Act Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor's Message. The Ron. James Alien explained that it provided, amongst other things, power to issue Treasury bills in London in anticipation of a" public' works loan. Sir Joseph "Ward said the question was of so much importance that it ought to have been referred to the Public Accounts Committee. There were gilt-edged securities to the extent of £800,000 kept in London for raising money temporarily, and now the Government was proposing to take additional power to issue Treasury bills to the extent of a proposed public works - loan.

Mr Allen said there was a limit of half a million.

Sir Joseph Ward said that put a different complexion on the question. Still, it was such an important departure that it could be discussed more safely in the Public Accounts Committee.

Mr G. W. Russell characterised the Bill as another of the many borrowing schemes of the non-borrowing Government. The Government was simply a lot of amateurs playing with the finances of the country.

i Mr Allen, in reply, accused Mr Thisi sell of want of patriotism. There, was nothing particularly new in the ;Bill % for the power to issue Treasury bills in Lonaon was in existence now. All that was wanted was authority to delegate , this, power to the High Commissioner. He was prepared to refer the Bill to the Public Accounts Committee for the fullest investigation. • | Tho Bill was read a first time, and referred to the Public Accounts Committee to report within ono week. Public Works Statement. The Public: Works Estimates were, brought down by Governor's message. In 1 reply to Sir Joseph Ward .the Hon. W. Eraser said that £835,000 had been allocated to railways. It was not possible to expend all the money voteel for roads in one year during that year. The Public Works Statement 'was laid on the table by the Minister of Public Works.

Sir Joseph Ward said that Mr Fraser'.s reply to his questions was the highest compliment paid to him since, he had been in Parliament. He had told the House it was not possible to expend in one year all the moneys voted for roads in %it year. That was a complete exoneration of himself and hils colleagues from the criticism levelled, against them.