PARLIAMENT.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10, 8 August 1911, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THURSDAY, AUGUST 3. In the Council this afternoon the debate on the Address-iu-lteply vvaß continued, tiie speakers being Hons. It. A. Loughnan and H. F. Wigham. Both dealt mainly witli the relations between the Mother Country and tho dominions. Mr Loughnan deprecated the idea of neutrality of tho dominions in the event of war with Britain, and doubted whether other nations would respect such' neutrality. He scouted the suggestion that New Zealand, would pass an Act of Secession, and said that the Speaker would prevent, such a document from ever desecrating the table of the Council. Ho couteuded that the Imperial Conference had done some substantial work. Mr YVigram emphasised the generous treatment that Britain had meted out to the colonies. No other country would have treated her colonies in the way Britain had treated hers in the matter of granting freedom when they attained years of discretion. We owed a great debt of gratitude to the Motherland. He urged the importance of doing all possible for the Empire and taking our share of resultant trade. Hp held that sooner or later something in the nature of an Operative Council would be set up to deal with Imperial affairs. The debate was adjourned and the Council rose. FRIDAY, AUGUST 4. WELLINGTON, Aug. 4. The Council met at '2.30. Hon. J. Barr, after briefly referring to Ini]>erial affairs, admitted that there were reasons why some persons should object to universal military training, but he considered that tho youth of New Zealand required discipline. He referred to the necessity for educating our girls in the matter of domestic duties. They should be more useful than ornamental. He complained that of tho girls assisted to come to the Dominion many were not qualified for work, and some, he was sorry to say, were undesirable. Someone should be sent home to supervise immigration and sec that the right cla«s were sent out. Dealing with the question of arbitration conciliation lie did not think that wholesale criticism of the judge was justified. Where an agreement by the parties had been arrived at it should be law. He thought that the time had arrived when there should be radical alteration in the Arbitration Court. An expert should be appointed to deal with tho special matters referred to tho court.

Hon. J. Jenkinson took strong exception to Mr eHrdman's reference to tho character of the Legislative Council during the latter's speech at Wanganui a lew days ago, and saicl that his words wen; not fit to be repeated in the Council. He, with others, regretted the circumstances leading to the retirement, of Hon. T. K. Macdonnld from the Council, but he thought that if his example were followed in regard to one member the majority of the Council would be pleased.

j The Spoakor hero called .Mr Jenkinson ( to order on the ground that his remarks , illicit be considered a reflection upon a | member of the Council. | Mr Jenkinson, referring to other sub- | jects, objected to the appointment of ! foreign consuls or consular agents to the Council. Referring to honors conferred 1 by the King, generally speaking he had no objection where honors were earned, but he took exception to tho honor conferre don Sir John Findlay. He regretted having to speak in this strain. The Speaker again called the hon. member to order, and ho promptly acquiesced in the ruling, remarking that j lie would deal with the matter when Sir John Findlay returned. Referring to the Governor's Speech he regretted that the Government had not announced a bold policy. As for the satisfactory | results claimed for the Imperial Oonferj ence the only tangible result was the j setting up of a Commission to inquire j into commercial relations between the , oversea dominions and the Motherland. Tli» debate was adjourned and the I Council rose. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. THURSDAY, AUGUST 3. The House met at p.m. LAND SETTLEMENT. Hon. I), liuddo (Minister for Internal Affairs) moved to lay on the table a report on the Lands for Settlement Act. Mr G. W. Russell (Avon) said, in connection with this matter, that there was an apparent dropping by the Government of the Lands for Settlement Act. If the Government did not take up this matter at once they would find members on the other side of the House using it against them. When the Government wanted to purchase land a trumpeter was sent out and up went tho price of that land. Mr G. W. Forbes (Hurunui) endorsed tho remarks of the previous speaker. Settlement of people on the land had been a feature of the Liberal Government's policy, and he hoped that that policy would be earnestly pursued. Mr A. S. Malcolm (Cluthaj said that the failure of the Government to acquire large estates for closer settlement was a matter seriously commented upon in the South. Mr G. Lanrenson (Lyttelton) said that no province was suffering from land aggregation so much as Canterbury. The Government was faced with a very nasty problem in this connection, and it should provide a solution as soon as possible. Mr C. A. C. Hardy (Selwyn) urged necessity of closer settlement. Mr T. M. Wilford (Hutt) said there was a dreath or delay in settlement of , land in the country. There were a great many properties which could have been taken for closer settlement which had not been taken. He condemned party politics as being responsible for delay in the settlement of lands. There was far too much time spent on debating freehold and leasehold matters. Such time could more profitably be spent on "devising a way of opening up the cmintrv. Mr H. G. Ell (Cliristchurch South) after dealing with the necessity for closer settlement, stated that the most brita «ver ofitared to

tors was offered by Mr Massey, who went to Cheviot and said "(Jive me your votes and I will give you the freehold at the original cost." Mr J. Stallworthy (Kaipara) and Mr W. Jennings (Taumaranui) pointed out the urgent need for getting people on to the land. Mr W. F. Massey (Franklin) said that it had been stated in the South that the Opposition would sell endownments made prior to MX)7, but that was not so. Many people were under the impression that tho Opposition was opposed to leasehold; but that was not so. He thought that when a man took up Crown land he should be able in the future to make that land his own. Agricultural education was absolutely necessary to make a man thoroughly competent in pursuance of his profession, and he strongly advocated the establishment of agricultural colleges in each island. Messrs Jennings, Stallworthy, Witty, and Field emphasised the necessity for agricultural efficiency arid access to, land. Mr F. 31. B. Fisher (Wellington Central) who also spoke on the question, moved, "That this House is of opinion that no legislation is satisfactory that does not provide for the cessation of the sale of Crown lands." Tho motion was ruled out of order, ■as not bearing on the matter under discussion. Hon. J). Buddo said that most members on his side and some of the other side of tho House recognised that land settlement was being carried on satisfactorily. The present administration was spending a inilliom a year on land settlement. Two million acres had been settled during the last financial year. They were not so interested in the man who had l.i.p. tenure. That man had land. What the present administration was mostly concerned in was the man who had no land, and they were endeavouring to put that class of man on the land. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. ADDRESS-IN-HEPLY. The deflate was resumed by Mr J. Stallworthy (Kaipara), who declared that the statements made by the Leader of the Opposition during the recess had been completely disproved. He would like some information concerning the system in vogue in the matter of promotion in the police force. There was a great deal of dissatisfaction in the force in this connection. Ho enlarged on the vast possibilities of North Auckland /rom an agrcultural standpoint and the urgent need for railways in that district. Ho attributed the present prosperity of the country to the excellent policy of the Government of the day. Mr W. Fraser (Wakatipu) dwelt upon the magical results possible by the introduction of irrigation works into Central Otago, and said he hoped the work when commenced, would not bo done in a perfunctory manner. "Otherwise," he said, "Clod help the people of Central Otago." He complimented the Government on getting such an excellent Commandant and officers for carrying out the defence scheme initiated last session. He was also pleased to see the response by the people of the country to the scheme.

Te Uangihroa (Northern Maori) pointed out the desirability for the appointment of another judge of the Native Land Court. The work of the court had, ho maintained, been hampered to a great extent by shortage of surveyors. He would like to see monies accruing from the sale of Maori lands invested for the use of the native and his children. He pleade<l for instructors to educate Maoris in matters appertaining to agriculture and so aid them to further their own interests and not become clogs of the wheels of State. He wanted to bring the Maoris under the Advances to Settlers Act, and lie asked the Government to place a sum of money annually at the disposal of Maoris to enable them to profitably pursue their avocations and bring them up to the standard of the pakeha.

Mr W. C. Buchanan (Wairarapa), referring to the census estimates mentioned in the Governor's speech, stated that ifc had been repeatedly pointed out. and the Government had never contradicted the statement, that population was rapidly leaving the country. Had it not been for assisted immigration there would have been a deficiency of four or five thousand in the population of the Dominion last. year. Mr Ell moved the adjournment of the debate and the House rose at 10,25 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. FRIDAY, AUGUST 4. WELLINGTON, Aug 4. In the House the debate on tho Ad-dress-in-Roply was resumed by Mr Hogg (Masterton), who, while congratulating Sir Arthur Guinness and Sir James Carroll upon the honors conferred on them, said that he preferred to reserve judgment on the acceptance by Sir Joseph Ward of a baronetcy. He was pleased at the consideration by the Government of the Rimutaku deviation, which was important to the people between Napier and Wellington. Mr T. E. Y. Seddon (Westland) complained of lack of railway enterprise on tho West Coast, especially towards the rich country in the south. Mr Jennings having replied the Ad dress-in-Reply was adopted. MENTAL DEFECTIVES BILL. Hon. G. Fowlds (Minister for Health) moved the secend reading of the Mental Defectives Bill, which, he explained, dealt not only with lunatics but mentally defective people. The danger of allowing these latter at large was their fertility, which was greater than, that of strong-minded members of the community. The Bill provided for an annual report on all cases. j Mr Massey (Franklin) approved of the principle of the Bill. Referring to a newspaper paragraph regarding overcrowding at Avondale Asylum, he said that if it were correct it disclosed a shocking state of affairs amounting to a public scandal. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. At 7.30 Mr Massey continued his remarks in regard to Avondale Asylum. Ho dared not think, he said, what would happen in the event of fire. He urged that it was a case for a Royal Commission of men experienced in such bad just rotiud t

ter from an ex-patient, now cured w| 10 stated that patients, when first enter, ing, were sent to the refractory ward which was the closest imitation to heU imaginable. Hon. G. Fowlds said that it was not the practice. Mr U. M. Thomson (Dunedin Xorth) held that it was necessary to make provision for defective children. Mr F. M. B. Fisher (Wellington Central) suggested that the Bill should first be sent to a committee, which could ex. amine expert witnesses. The Bill should not be placed on the Statute Book until it had the fullest consideration and expert evidenco necessary to guide tin lay mind. Mr W. H. Field (Otaki) said tliiit if menta.l institutions continued to by administrated by the efficient staffs now in charge good would result. The question of the fertility of the unfit should have the fullest consideration of the House. .Mr E. H. Taylor (Thames) suggested the practicability of drawing the attention of the people, through hospital Boards and school committees, to tl w necessity for early treatment of mental troubles in children. The hoarding-out system provided for in the Bill would require careful consideration. slr 0. Lanrenson (Lyttelton) quoted figures showing the largely increased proportion of the population in asy. lums, campared with 30 years ago. \o» there was one to 290, as against one to <530. He congratulated the Minister on introducing another Dill for bettering the position of unfortunates. He wag under the impression that not enough money was spent on these institutions. Mr J. A. Hanan (Invercargilll said he thought that money would bo well spent in establishing institutions for the care of feeble-minded children. Mr E. H. Clark (Chalmers) offered the suggestion that the Eugenic Society should be empowered to visit and report on the feeble-minded. Messrs Witty, Bollard and Te Itangihiroa continued the debate, Mr Bollard considering Mr Massey's statements re. jjarding Avondale Asylum grossly oxag. ge rated. Mr Fowlds, in reply, said that he waj not prepared to say that Avondale Asylum was not overcrowded and seriously overcrowded, and that he had looked well ahead when the institution at Tokaanu was Iteing designed. He was to blame in a measure for not having the work done more quickly; but it must be remembered that they had an abnormally high rate of admission to asylums last year. The admission was especially high in Auckland district. The buildings which were to be erected would be proceeded with as quickly as possible and within a few months the position would be relieved. With regard to the Ho.val Commission Mr Massey had moved for it and he would spend as much money thereon as would be necessary to cope with the whole question. With regard to the statement that new patients were put into tlio refractory ward when they arrived it the asylum, the Minister said that no superintendent woudd do such a :hing. Statements in regard to the ong hours of attendants were axagjerated. Members had to remember ;hat heavy expenditure was necessary ;o carry out needed works. It was no •mall matter to get sufficient money for necessary extentions of mental hospitals. The Bill was read a second time. The House rose at 11 p.m.