PARLIAMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 217, 12 September 1900, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

(By. Telegraph-Parliamentary Reporter.)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES-

WELLINGTON, this day.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

The proceedings of. the Council yesterday Avere not of absorbing interest. BANK OFFICERS' GUARANTEE FUND.

The Bank of New Zealand Officers' Guarantee and Provident Association Bill was read a third time, and passed through its .final stages. ENSIGN BILL. The second reading of the New Zealand Ensign'and Code Signals Bill, which provides that the New Zealand ensign shall be the blue ensign of Her Majesty's fleet, having on the flag the Southern Cross, as represented by four five-pointed red stars? with white borders, was read a second time, after several hon. members had protested against the ugliness of the white disc on the code signal flags. SALE OP POISONS. The Sale of Poisons Act Amendment Bill went through Committee unamended, and passed its final stages. CRIMINAL CODE. Progress was again reported on the : Criminal Code Act, 1893, Amendment .Bill. !- THE ESTIMATES. The House went into Committee of Supply on the Estimates. Class 2, vote for the salary of present member of the Executive Council representing the Maori race (six months), £200. Mr Pirani wanted to know to what hour it was intended to go on, and he strongly protested against the fatiguing late sitting. The Minister in charge of the Estimates (Hon. J. G. Ward) said it was impossible to say at this stage of the sitting up to what hour the proceedings would be continued. In the discussion which ensued, charges were bandied about of wilfully "wasting the time of the House," a phrase which has become stereotyped. Mr McKenzie moved, that the item be reduced by £1, as an indication of the disapproval of the House that the salaries of Civil servants had not been restored to the original amounts. The Chairman ruled the motion out of order, and the vote was passed, also total vote, Colonial Secretary's office, £ 1590, and the messengers' and officekeepers'. £4,295. On the vote, Electoral Department, £4850, Mr Bollard asked what course the Government proposed to take in regard to the Registrar of Electors in Auckland and suburbs. He alleged that there were many serious irregularities in connection with the compilation of rolls and registration of votes.

Mr Ward admitted that there had been irregularities in other parts of the colony, as well as Auckland, but he hoped before the session closed to introduce important measures of electoral reform.

Mr Witheford said he had received a requisition signed by 3900 electors, but-it'was found that he was not on the roll. . Though he had been 25 years in New Zealand, and had always while in the colony or in England endeavoured to benefiti the country, he found that when he returned from abroad he would not be qualified to have his name placed on the roll until he had resided in the colony for twelve months from that time. He found, however, that other people's names had been omitted from the roll, but so far as his own case was concerned, he had no exceptional cause for compjlaint at the treatment he received; Another man who signed a paper brought to his house was fined, and in default was sent to' prison. From his experience, however, there was no reason, to believe that the Registrar had acted improperly.

Mr Bollard said, having regard to the. onerous work performed by Registrars, they ought to be paid at least £25.

Mr Massey complained of mistakes made by deputy returning officers in striking out the names of persons whose names were enrolled under the property qualification.

The vote was then passed

Vote: Audit Office, £,6242. There was . considerable discussion on this vote.

Mr.Meredith said the entire business of the Department needed reconstruction, owing to the many cases of embezzlement of funds that had recently occurred. .

Mr Pirani said the Auditor could not guarantee honesty in these affairs.

-The vote passed; also RegistrarGeneral's Department, £5740; AgentGeneral's Department, £4600 (including ■_ Agent-General's salary £1500 net, being an increase of £250); printing and stationery, £20,026.

On the vote, miscellaneous services, ,•£43,121, with a view to gaining some information as to the item, "Advance to Cook Island Government'''for' the purchase of an auxiliary oil engine schooner, £5000," Mr Herries moved that the amotfnt be reduced by £1.

It was explained that the Government thought there was a. good opportunity of acquiring- trade with the Cook and other Pacific Islands if they went about it judiciously. It was pointed out also that Australia was endeavouring to secure this trade. The schooner would be a loan to the Cook Islands Government. (Hon. members: A gift.)

Some discussion also took place on the vote for analysts under the. Adul%ration Prevention Acts, three- at £100 each, £300. Mr Massey hoped the duties of the analysts would be extended to analyses of soil.

Mr Allen urged that the existing analysts should be dispensed with, and a special grant be made to the Agricultural Department for the purpose of appointing agricultural analysts in various parts of the colony. Analysts had been appointed some time ago to prevent the adulteration of liquors, but they did practically nothing. (Mr G. W. Russell: "And they cost the colony £1200.")

Mr Houston expressed his desire that some assurance should be given that the schooner for the C6ol_ Islancis should be built in the colony,'*'

Mr Massey thought the money could be more advantageously spent for other objects.

.Mr Ward said the money for the schooner would be given by way ola loan, but if Mr Massey was so anxious about roads.and In-idges, would he be prepared,, when the vote for the San Francisco mail service came on, to 'advocate that the money should be diverted to the North Island Main Trunk railway?

Mr Allen (Bruce): "Oh, you intend to continue it then?" Mr Ward: "Yes." Mr Allen: "Upon what basis?" Mr Ward: "Payment by weight, as formerly." As to the security for the schooner, they had the whole Cook Islands, and the steamer itself. Mr Palmer deprecated treating the question in a tone .of levity, seeing that the neighbouring colonies are competing keenly for the trade. At present New Zealand frozen meats ana other products were largely consumed. ■ -, Mr G. W. Russell said that Auckland had the monopoly of the South Sea Island trade, and the proper course would have been for the leading merchants in that city to combine to purchase an auxiliary^schooner tor the business. . ~ The Premier said he found on his visit to the islands that the French and Americans were pushing out the New Zealand traders. At present facilities were lacking for maintaining the trade of New Zealand with Man-o-aia and other adjacent islands, and the recommendation that a schooner should be supplied was the result of a conference with the leading settlers on the islands. The balance-sheet ot the Cook Islands Government showed, a surplus on the year of £976, which would more than pay the interest on the £5000 for the purchase, of tne schooner, the interest on which would amount to £150. The work of the schooner would be that of .a tender amongst the islands. Fruit and pro-, duce for New Zealand and goods from this colony to the islands would have a preference. He ridiculed the remarks made in respect to Auckland, s position in regard to the islands, declaring that the proposed schooner would benefit the whole colony. Mr Witheford strongly supported the vote, referring to the large increase of trade which would result from laying on a schooner between New Zealand and the whole of the islands. The trade would be a great factor in the prosperity of the colony. There were facts within his knowledge, which it would be premature to disclose at present, which showed that the trade would be a great benefit to the colony. He considered the proposals of the Government were quite justified by the prospective results. There was a case recently where a cargo of fruit from' Rarotonga had to be sent back, owing to the severe and unnecessary restrictions. If the House desired to encourage the trade it should be done in. a liberal, and generous spirit. At present the high charges were almost prohibitory, especially the conditions applying to fumigations. He understood that certain freights to the islands were higher than those to Australia, so that vessels were enabled to load up for the islands and bring a return cargo back. Some arrangement/should be made to enable flour and preserved meats to be taken from New. Zealand and fruit brought back in return, and the proposed schooner would enable these designs to be carried out. After three quarters of an hour's discussion Mr Herries' motion to reduce the item by £1 was rejected by 27 votes to 23. .

Mr Massey opposed "-the item £5134, contributions to Ottawa Fire Relief Fund, and moved that it be ■reduced by £1, quoting figures in support of his argument that Canada, with its large population and resources, was not in need of such aid.

The Hon. J. G. Ward viewed the question from an Imperial point of view, and expressed his belief that New Zealand's financial position is stronger than that of Canada. Mr Herries condemned the manner in which the assent.to the vote had been obtained .out •of session by appeals to individual members, by which the Government evaded its responsibility to Parliament. V

The Premier pointed out that an unparalleled disaster overtook Canada, and though New Zealand came to her rescue with a comparatively small amount, the act raised the reputation of the colony throughout the world, by its generous sympathy with a sister colony at a time of great adversity. The amendment was negatived on the voices.

On the item "Cost of celebrations in connection with war in South Africa, including proposed peace celebrations," Mr Hogg moved to reduce the item by £599. The committee divided on the amendment, which was negatived by 50 votes to 5.