PARLIAMENT

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXVI, Issue 52, 10 December 1909, Page 3

PARLIAMENT

'*■ ■"i.y MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

The Oouncu .i;a ju uie afternoon. Tub Council agreed to the k; -x the Petitions Committee tue petition of Major W. G. Mail- for compensation for service rendered to the State to the favorable consideration of the Government. No other business was available.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House of Representatives met in the afternoon. THE LANDS POLICY.

Mr It. A. Wright (Wellington South) resumed tue interrupted deoate on tne report of the committee on tlie Land Laws Amendment Bill, which the Onairman moved should lie on the table, and Mr W. H. Herries (Taurauga) as an amendment that the minutes of the proceedings of the committee be laid on the table.

Mr Wright said he was unable from the Prime Minister's speech to say whether Sir J. G, Ward was a leaseholder or a freeholder. The policy ol tne Administration on the land question meant the downfali of the party. It meant the negation of the democracy of Liberalism and of the principle. The Government's policy was a purely opportunist one based on retention of office at any price. He hoped the Government would abandon their Laud Bill.

Mr T. E. Taylor (Christchurcli North) said rural lands had increased enormously in value not only as the result of the owners' efforts, but as a result of the labors of the oommunity. Referring to the Hon. T. Mackenzie's position in the Cabinet he said that the Minister had driven a wedge into the Liberal Party at Rangitikei. What authority had Mr Mackenzie, he asked, to speak for the Cabinet in offering the to speak for the Cabinet in offering the freehold, thus giving the Liberal policy away. Perhaps a time would come when National Endowments would be given away, not to save the Liberal Party but to preserve the Cabinet. This Land Bill—this abortion —this thing without shape or form, said Mr Taylor, had been conceived by the Government in secret, and when it came tottering into the House members were supposed to accept it without question. The democratic sentiment of the country on the land question, which ought to be a line of demarcation between the parties, had been betrayed. The Liberal Party had no policy, no leader. The Government was too w T eak to lead any party; it was palsied, and it was vain to look to it for help. j Mr D. H. Guthrie (Oroua), speaking of his attitude in committee, said he was proud of having the freehold clause retained. There were 54 freeholders in the House, which was a clear indication that the majority of the electors demanded the freehold. The Government had only carried out its declared policy, which was to find out what the people want and give it them. Mr J. F. -Arnold (Dunedin Central) defended Mr Guthrie's action in committee on the Bill, as the latter was a declared freeholder. There were five leaseholders and five freeholders on the committee, so that his casting vote was necessary to retain the clauses il the whole of the members had been present. He believed that at the second meeting a leasehold member who had at the first meeting voted against the freehold clauses had reversed his vote, with the result that the clauses were reinstated. The Government would have apparently no hesitation in forcing its Land Bill through the House with the Opposition votes, but would regard the action of its. leasehold supporters in voting with the Opposition at any time as the greatest political crime that could be committed.

The Hon. J. A. Millar said he was amused at the charges made against him of his principles. These had not changed. There was nothing in the Bill to abolish the leasehold tenure, and it appeared to him that the time of the House was being wasted for the sake of 44.17 Lands for Settlement tenants. The Government secured the unearned increment under the freehold clauses of the Bill to the extent of one-fifth of the increase in value every 33 years. Speaking for himself, he was quite prepared to go to the country next week. The sooner they went to the country and got the question settled the better as far as the present Cabinet was concerned. The 9.000,000 acres of endowments would be retained.

The debate was adjourned until tomorrow afternoon.

The House rose at 5.30 p.m. THE FINAL STAGES,

In the evening the Shipping and Seamen and Designation of Districts Bill were put through the final stages.

LANDS ADMINISTRATION

The Prime Minister moved the second reading of the Land for Settlements Administration Bill to amend the law relating to the acquisition and administration of lands for settlement. He explained at length the' principal clauses of the Bill as they relate to finance, lands administration, limitation of areas, modification of the Workers' Dwellings and alterations in the Valuation Rolls Bill. Ho pointed out, inter alia, that the Bill repealed section 52 of the principal Act, and provided that successful applicants in ballots under the Act who dispose of their land shall bo disqualified from taking part in further ballots for five years, and successful applicants for rural lands would be required to reside continuously on their allotments for ten years. Mr W. F. Massey (leader of the Opposition) said the Bill evidently contemplated the passing of the StateGuaranteed Advances Bill, and would not seriously interfere with the Lands for Settlement Act. He hoped that when the Bill was in committee provision would be made for men of energy with small capital to settle on-limited areas of land. He had expected that some attempt would be made to improve the methods of the lands for settlement scheme in the direction of granting the freehold to settlers. In regard to the reduction of the limitation of areas allowed to be held, Mr Massey said this ought to be based on the size of a man's family, each case being treated on its merits. .The provision for the compulsory taking of land within a 15-mile radius of towns having a population of 5000 would operate harmfully on farmers near towns, and would create a feeling of unrest. The Bill was mostly a committee BUI, and he would" deal with it when it reached the committee stage. Mr James Allen (Bruce) said the Bill

. meant altering the nature of the security for loans, and he asked, Was the Prime Minister paying our freehold estate to London financiers P There was no provision for Native lands in the Bill, though the amount to "be borrowed had been- increased from £500,000 to £1,000,000 for the purpose of applying, tne provisions of the Act to [Native Ir.v.i The compulsory clauses I in rebtioa t*; suburban land were too dm:..-.

Mr Hogg (Masterton) strongly opposed the clause for taking land around boroughs, as this, would act prejudicially on small farmers. After much further debate, Sir S. G. Ward and said the fears about small farmers in the neighborhood of boroughs were unfounded. The Government had never taken land from small farmers, and he would not have the slightest objection to striking out the word "compulsory." Ho had the most absolute contempt for men who posed as workers' friends yet when a Bill was brought down to help them to get homes-opposed it. The Bill was read a third time. LAND FINANCE.

Sir Joseph Ward moved the third reading of the Land Settlement Finanoe Bill.

Mr Massey approved of the principle of the Bill but said he believed that tho limit of area in respect to 'lands near towns (50 acres) was too high and in case of rural land (200 acres) was too low.

Messrs Herries, Hine, Buick, "Guthrie. Buchanan and Allen continued the debate.

Sir Joseph Ward, in ronly, pointed out that provision was made in other Bills for the purchase of small areas. Tho Bill was then read a third time on the- voices and passed. The House rose at 12.55 a.m. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. WELLINGTON, Dec. 7. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. MAGISTRATES' COURTS BILL. The Magistrates' Courts Amendment Bill was put through the committee stage and real a third time and passed. FIRST READINGS. The Shipping and Seamen, Designation of Districts and Land Settlements Finance Bill were read the first time. The Council adjourned at 2.45 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House of Representatives met in the afternoon. THE LAND POLICY.

On the resumption of the interrupted debate on the question that the report of the Lands Committee oil the Land Laws Amendment Bill do lie on the table.

Mr F. M. B. Fisher (Wellington Central) moved to add: "That in the. opinion of the House the land proposals of the Government are unsatisfactory." The amendment was not seconded and lapsed. OLD SOLDIERS' CLAIMS.

Replying to Mr J. C. Thomson (Wallace), the Prime Minister said the Government intended to issue instructions to magistrates throughout the Dominion about the beginning of February to inquire and report into the claims of old soldiers. LANDS FOR SETTLEMENT.

The House went into committee on the Lands for Settlement Administration Bill. At the clause providing that all settlement lands and moneys shall be vested in a superintendent, Mr J". F. Arnold (Dunedin Central) and Mr W. H. Herries (Tauranga) expressed disapproval of the lands being so vested in local -bodies.

This view was supported by Mr D. McLaren (Wellington East). Mr James Allen (Bruce) contended that we were handing -over our own Crown lands to the moneylender in England. Mr A. W. Hogg (Masterton) moved that the word "superintendent" be struck out of the clause with a view to adding other words, but this was lost on division by 53 to four. The clause passed as printed. At clause 9, providing means of raising funds for the purposes of the Act, Mr W. F. Massey (Leader of the Opposition) moved the following new subclause: "To provide further funds, the Minister is hereby empowered to soil to any lessee of land held under this Act the lee simple of the land occupied by such lessee subject to the following conditions:—(l) The purchase price shall be the original value of land; (2) an" lessee of. the aforesaid land on any day appointed for the payment of the land may pay to the'superintendent any sum not- being less than one-tenth of the capital value in part payment of purchase money for the freehold of 'the land, and his future rents shall forthwith be proportionately reduced. The debate was interrupted by the •3.30 p.m. adjournment. In the evening the interrupted debate on clause 9 of the Lands for Settlement Administration Bill, and Mr Massey's amendment thereon, was resumed.

Mr Massey contended that lessees who had taken up land on lease-in-per-petuity should be allowed the freehold of their lands on the same terms as those having the optional tenure en paving the difference and one per cent, between their rental and the rental on the optional system. Mr T. E. Taylor (Christchurch North) described the .Government's proposals as nebulous and unsatisfactory. He declared that Mr Massey's amendment was not an honest proposal. After much further discussion Mr Massey's amendment was lost by 42 to 21. The following is the division list: For the amendment (21): Messrs Anderson, Bollard, Buchanan, Dive, J. Duncan, Greenslade, Guthrie, Hardy, Herries, Hine, Lang, Mander, Massey, Newman, Nosworthy, Scott, Smith, G. M. Thomson,-

Against the amendment (42): Messrs Arnold, Brown, Buxton, Carroll, Clark, Colvin, Craigie, Davey, Dillon, T. Duncan, Ell, Field, Forbes, Fowlds, Glover, Hall, Hanan, Hogan, Hogg, Laurenson, Lawry, McDonald, R. McKenzie, T. Mackenzie, McLaren, Millar, Ngata, Parata, Poole, Reed, Ross, Russell, Seddon, T. E. Rangihiroa, .L- C. Thomson, Witty, Wright, Sir W. J. Steward, and Sir J. G. Ward. Mr Massey then moved a new subclause to provide that the owners of leases under lands for settlement may purchase the fee simple of. lands occupied by them at the original valuation. The Chairman of Committees (Mr T. M. Wilford) said the amendment was substantially the same as the previous fcne.

Mr Massey then moved to report progress in order that the Speaker's ruling might W tft&n to, tl» jjoiat,

This was rejected by 33 to 80. Clause l'J (which provides for the classification and limit of fire a according to section 97 of "The Land Act, 19.08") was amended on the motion or the. Prime -Minister by the omission of the words "and the limit of area in the case of each class," and the substitution of a sub-clause providing that for the purpose of the Act one acre of first-class land should be deemed to bo equivalent to two and a-half acres of third-class land.

Mr E. Newmau (Manawatu) moved a now sub-clause that an owner whose land has been taken may, in addition to the area mentioned in the isub-clause, retain 100 acres of first-class land oi its equivalent, on account oi each adult sou, providing he can satisfy the board that such son intends to follow agricultural or pastoral pursuits. Sir J. G. Ward refused to r.cccpt thi' amendment, which was lost by 3D to 25.

The Prime Minister moved that section 31, making residence for ton years necessary in case of-rural lands, be struck out, which was agreed to. On the last clause Mr Taylor moved to add a new sub-clause providing that in the sale of any lease by any person over land ccquired under the Act there should be paid to the Crown, a sum equal to the increase in value of such land as between the unimproved value at the date of acquisition and the date of sale, the transfer of any land to be subject also to such payments. The amendment was lost by 48 to 10.

Mr Massey moved to add another sub-clause providing for tho optional system of lease, which was defeated by 35 to 26.

The Bill was reported with amendments and the House rose at 2 a.m.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met in the afternoon. ine Hon. W. C. F. Carncross (Tarauaki) moved that in the opinion of the Council every trading institution that has a superannuation or pension scheme and is carrying on business in the Dominion should be compelled to have in connection with such scheme a system of surrender value for the benefit ol contributors. He pointed to the unsatisfactory state of affairs in this connection at present, and contended that the time had come when the Legislature should take steps to secure to all contributors some share of their contributions upon retirement. The Hon. Dr Findlay (Attorney-Gen-eral) thought if the State interfered with these superannuation funds they mijjht not be carried on, and it would be unwise for the State to do anything that would-give banks an excuse to abolish such scheme. There was another reason why the State should not interfere. It was the duty of the Government to provide a superannuation fund for every honest man in the country, and to see that every man should hive an opportunity of providing for his old age, and not he like* his master's ass, wearing out his life for mere provender and then bo sold or cashiered. This was going to be the law of this country sooner or later. The motion was agreed to. PROGRESS OF BILLS.

The Magistrate's Court Amendment Bill was passed. The New Plymouth Recreation and Racecourse Reserves Exchange Bill and Timaru Loans Consolidation Bill were road the second time. The New Zealand Society of Accountants Amendment Bill was put through the' final stages. The Reformatory Institutions Bill was committed, reported with minor amendments, and passed. SHIPPING AND SEAMEN. The Attorney-General moved the second reading of the Shipping and Seamen Act Amendment Bill, recently passed by tho House. Tiie Hons. J. T. Paul and Jenkinson generally approved of the Bill, which 'vas read the second time. The Council rose at 4 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The House met in the afternoon. THE NAVAL CONFERENCE.

The Prime Minister laid on the table papers relating to the recent Imperial Defence Conference. G REYMO UTH 1? ES Ell VE.

The remainder of the afternoon was taken in discussing a motion by the ••[•in. A. T.'Ngata relative to the petition of Greymouth residents praying that the Greymouth reserve, at present in possession of Maori owners, should be sold to the lessees. EXPEDITING BUSINESS. In the evening the Speaker announced iiiat as the session would close on the L2nd iust all Bills introduced after tonight could be carried through all stages at one sitting. THE LAND BILL. In reply to Mr Massey the Prime Minister said he hoped the House would uet through the work by December 23, and that the Land Bill would bo taken. THE HOSPITALS BILL.

The debate 011 amendments made _ by Ihe legislative Council in tlie Hospital and Charitable Institutions Bill was resumed, and it was agreed that the iiouse accept the amendments with the exception of certain clauses dealing with the powers of boards, and clauses 71 and 72 (relating. to relief to be granted at Government sanatoria and the maintenance at hospitals of members of friendly, societies on special terms). A committee was appointed to draw up reasons for disagreeing with the Council's amendments. DEATH DUTIES BILL.

The Death Duties Bill was re-com-mitted, 011 the motion of the JL'rime Minister, for the purpose of inserting further amendments, to the following effect:—At clause 12, exempting certain estates from estate duty, the following was substituted for sub-clause 1: "No estate duty shall he payable 011 any estate the final balance of which djes not exceed £SOO, and the estate duty payable 011 any estate, the final balance of which exceeds £SOO, shall not exceed the amount by whjch that final balance exceeds £soo.''' ' Subclause 2 of the same clause was deleted and a new sub-clause was added to the effect that the value of the in.terest acquired by widows of deceased not exceeding £SOOO are to be deducted from the final balance of the estate. Mr W. F. Massey (Leader of the Opposition) moved to make the £SOOO £IO,OOO, but the amendment was deft ated by 33 to 25. A new clause 29a was inserted, providing that as between several successors of deceased death < duties shall be paid by each successor in proportion to the value of Ma intotwst.

, Tho Bill was reported as amended.. i Considerable.-discussion took place on 1 tho motion for the third readily. ; Mr Massey considered the Bill a very complicated measure, and that it would provide ample food for the lawyers. Mr W. H. Herries, (Tauranga) said if tho provision regarding gift duty wero strictly enforced it would be intolerable and would require inspectors in every I house. i

Sir J. G.-Ward, in hit, reply, observed that the whole basis of the Bill was to prevent a mau during his lifetime from dividing his estate with a view to escaping the death duties. Tile third reading was agreed to on tho voices and the Bill passed.

NEW ZEALAND'S DREADNOUGHT

Tho Prime Minister moved the second reading of tho Naval Defence Bill, which contains two operative clauses, empowering the Minister of Einanco to outer into a contract for the building of a ship of war, and limiting tho cost to £2,000,000. Referring to the conference on naval defence, the papers on -which had been laid on the table of the House, the Prime Minister said the report of the speeches made at the conference were noi> included in these as they were regarded as confidential. The papers placed on tho table had been supplied by the Imperial authorities. Sir Joseph Ward went largely into the correspondence that had taken place on the subject of naval defence and the attitude he had taken up respecting New Zealand's desire to retain her relations with the Imperial Navy. Mr Massey said had it been known that the vessel would have formed part • I Ihe China squadron there would have been less enthusiasm about the oli'er. He believed it would haw been far Letter for the Dominion to have cn- ■.< p.--rated with Australia, and he gathered from tho papers laid on tl:e tal-le that this was' the view of the Admiralty. The House was left sitting at midnight.'