PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 196, 18 August 1900, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

(By Telegraph.— Parliamentary Reporter.)

THE BUDGET SPEECH,

HOW IT WAS RECEIVED.

WELLINGTON, this day.

When the House resumed last evening all the public galleries were densely packed, the ladies' gallery presenting a hrilliant contrast of colour. The Treasurer, on rising to deliver'tho Budget speech, was greeted with hdarty cheers I'i'om all Hides of the House. For the most part the speech was listened to' in respectful silence, Have an occasional interjection from the corner nea y r the entrance to the Noes' lobby. Atx*first the references to a free breakfast table evoked jeers of incredulity from the same direction, but when the total amount of the tariff reductions was mentioned doubt Save place to astonishment. On the whole this Financial Statement will rank in the history of New Zealand as one of the most atractive and effective ever delivered by any Treasurer of this colony. Mr Seek! on had a very pleasant task, and he was in his best for.m. There were so many good things in the Budget that one wondered whether the Treasurer had become possessed of the purse of a Fortunatus. There was something for everybody, and a little left over. Many of the concessions were quite unexpected, and as the numerous items placed on the Estimates in compliance with local demands were enumerated, they were received with glad cries of "Hear, hear," and other manifestations of satisfaction from the representatives of the districts concerned. Tho Premier read, from a printed copy of the Statement, but his delivery was so effective that it might easily be-mistaken for an ordinary speech. It occupied under two hours, and at the close the Treasurer was greeted with prolonged cheers.' Tho Financial Debate is' fixed for this day week. RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION AND SETTLEMENT. Mr Witheford asked the Premier whether the Government will earnestly and without delay Indicate a vigorous railway construction and land settlement scheme and publish the same among such English speaking communities as may be deemed desirable, or set up a committee of members of Parliament and afford them special facilities for aiding the Government in inaugurating and carrying out such progressive policy as will advance (1) railway construction, (2) surveying lands for settlement along' the route of proposed lines, and (3) purchase of firstclass native lands for settlement, and by amfouncing to the world a practical and attractive land settlement policy, draw bona fide settlers to our.shores, and offer inducements to our rising population to remain in this colony. Mr AVitheford said there was a feeling among the people of Auckland that they did not receive sufficient attention from Ministers, who Hhould visit the North more frequently than hitherto, and should expedite the completion of the railways. Some ten millions of acres of land were now open for settlement by the Anglo-Saxon race. He would like to see the colony setting an example to South Africa in. the settlement of the lands. South Africa was now endeavouring to attract immigrants. He would like to sec a more vigorous policy of public works inaugurated, and '■he felt confident that If all the available lands were properly advertised and sold it would result in doubling the population in live years.

The Premier said that one of the difficulties in the way of Ministers visiting Auckland had been removed, as they were to hatfe an extra Minister. He hoped all ground for complaint would disappear. The hon. member had omitted to inform the House that if Auckland was not so frequently visited by Ministers as the South, it got a larger share of the money. The Financial Statement would, he hoped, satisfy the hon. gentleman as to railway construction. The Government had spent more money than any of its predecessors in the survey of waste lands, and since they had been in office they had purchased two.millions of acres of native lands, and put parties of surveyors upon them. He hoped .shortly to throw open 100,000 acres in the Auckland district for selection. As fast as land could be thrown open it was taken up by colonists, who had the first offer, and outsiders were allowed to come in afterwards. The Government' land policy" was of it liberal character, and in the present prosperous condition of the colony there could be no better way. of stimulating settlement than by the extensive circulation of the Financial Statement. , i - JOTTINGS. ''The Minister for Education is compiling a uniform scale of educational salaries throughout the colony.. > v h . The Government is favourable to the establishment of a special institution for epileptics, idiots and imbeciles. , The Government does" not see its way to issue State notes to enable municipalities to borrow at low rates of interest. It would be premature, .the Premier considers, to appoint a non-Parliamentary Commission to inquire into the probable effects of Australian' federation on the agricultural, pastoral and other, interests of-the colony. All that was necessary had been done to supply remounts to the contingents in South Africa. The Government do not propose at present to take any steps to prevent the disfranchisement of the district of Patea through the absence of Mr, Hutchison. The question of early closing will' be> dealt with in the Factories, Act. The Government does not at present see its kvay to restore the salaries of Parliamentary officers to the standard which existed prior to ISS7. The Government cannot appoint the Registrars under the Old Age Pensions \ct to the office of Justices of the Peace, but steps would be taken that a Justice should be available for the work of witnessing statutory declarations.' - Inquiry is being made regarding, the salaries received by Civil" Service officials, and justice will, be done., . The Government will not bo able this session to introduce a Bill to consolidate the laws relating to Government loaiis to local bodies. . • ,' The Government does not intend to set up a Committee of Inquiry into the administration of the- Police Department, but.any complaints'sent to the Justice Department will receive due attention.