BOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 19, 17 October 1907, Page 8

BOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS.■ ■ Last weok, on account of the Labour Day adjournment, "questions, and -, answers", in the House of Representatives had to be held over. Yesterday,, on tho ; suggestion of' the Premier, tho whole afternoon wad dovotod to discussing the- roplios of Ministers, to questions. i THE DOUBLE TOTALISATOR. ; In reply t'o. Mr. Poole .'(Auckland) as to whether his attention had been, called to tha Wellington' Racing Club's advertisement re r garding a' double'totalisator/on : the.'racecourse at the meeting which commences to-day and the receiving- of. "outside investments" and "ring-oni" the' Premier said that the Bill proposing to deal with gambling, and -which would. contain provisions against the double totalisator, would be circulated next week. Speaking on : this matter,. Mr. Poole, referred to .the activity of the law in putting down othor forms of betting including, "toteshops," but here,- where a racing club - jnraa practically -flying in tho face of tho law, arid actually advertising the fact in the news r papers, little or nothing, was;,paid. , He declared that the advertisoment. of tho club was nothing short of "tote betting." Bets were invited from all parts of the Dominion by telegrairi. He understood that:a certain number, of clubs had agreed to abolish the' double tote, and in some cases it had , been done. It, had como to his ears, that hearing the Bill was not likely . to get through ; this year, the Wellington Club had decided to'"go the whole hog" :and obtain all the money it could in tho meantime by using the doubletotalisator and' outside investments. , Joseph Ward said ha did not know what authority the Club could'have for, assuming : legislation' was not going to ba put through this session, and that therefore they wnro going the whole hog. He did not believe anything of tho kind of tho Cjub and would be sorry to think that it was correct. The' Government proposed to introduce an Anti-Gautbling : Bill, y and, with the help of the House, to get it through this session. As he had already stated, tho Bill proposed the abolition of tho double totalisator,', and also to deal.effectively, with the. transmission of telocrams. ' PROVISIONING VESSELS. Mr.. Poolo recalled tho caso of tha barquentine , Spcculant" and her shortage of provisions, on a voyage from ! Kaipara to Warrnambool. He wanted; to know what steps the .Minister for Marino proposed to take to prevent the frequent occurrence of this and similar scandals.; , The Ministor replied that '.'Regulations were mado last year fixing! the minimum number of, days for which sailing, vessels leaving New Zealand for Australian ports must be provided with provisions,' 1 and Superintendents of Morcantilo Marino, and Customs officers wero instructed to see that they are enforced. The regulations provided-that, such vessels leaving for Victoria must liav# at least fifty days' provisions on' board. The officer in'charge'of Customs at Kaipara states that the Speculant cleared at his port on. August 21 last, and that ho .inspected her two days leaving 'to see that she, had the proper provisions on board and that sho had proper deck-lashings, when tho master told Miim. that moat and necessary items would be purchased beforo sailing. The vessel having loaded at a placo six miles from the Customs officer's office, ho was unablo to visit her a second time to see the provisions when they were all on board,but when clearing the master presented a list showing that lie had about fifty days' supply on' boardFurther, inquiry will be made.on tho vessel's return to.tho Dominion, and.action taken if necessary." ■ : I Mr. Poolo' also referred to tho-wreck of tho La : Bolla, and said he had hoard tho crow wore, in such a weak state from lack of food that they could not save their ship nor themselves. , , Mr. Symes (Patea) recounted a statement ho had overhoard in a railway carriage regarding tho Monowai. It was mado by a passenger of that boat. ■ This man said that when the vessel was picked, up by the Molcoia sho was practically without provisions, and owing to tli o condenser failing the supply of water also was-very limited. >•{• TEACHERS IN THE BACKBLOCKS. The-claims of underpaid backblocks teachers wore advocated by Sir' William Steward, who asked tho Ministor for Education "(1) Whothor ho will submit during, tho prcsont session a Bill to provido foi 1 a fixed minimum living--wage for teachers of country schools—say, in tho caso of married teachGrs, not less than' £130, with rcsidonco, or. £20 house allowance? (2) If unablo to submit legislation in this direction this session, will lie be able and willing to arrange to continuo to pay salaries of teachers in such schools for tho year 1907-8 as mi the' 10d5-<3 averago atteixlanco in 6ho samo way as for tlie, year 190G-7, tlw srdariea for that year having been based mi tbo nvorago attendance of tho year 1905-6? "■ In one caso, said Sir William—in the Waitaki electorate—a married teacher with ' four childron would havo to maintain, his family on a pittanco of £72 a yoar, less contributions to tho Superannuation Fund; besides having to pay rent for a dwelling out of tho not remainder. ■ _ • ' Tho Ministor said he. was unable to proposo any alteration in tho law this session. It required a two-year's fall, in the averago" attendance to affect teachers' salaries, and at present ho was not'prepared to go furthor than that. .. Sovoral sympathetic speeches wero made. Mr. Symes, in ' recounting tho hardships of country teachers in tho 'l'aranaki district, said accommodatiou could not be provided in tho

vicinity of schools, and it often meant a long "tramp-" over tracks lour feet wido ami five feet deep. It Was timo adequato accommodation and salary wero given. Mr. T. Mackonzio (Waikouaiti) declared the causo of tho country teachei should bo taken up without, delay by tho Minister. He asserted thero was great unrest among ttio profession owing to tho unsatisfactory salary basis. Mr. Masspy supported tho previous speakers. It had been hoped wlion the amending Bill camo before Parliament not long ago that a minimum salary would bo set. Ho went on to say that when coining overland from tho North lio had observed a tent, which had been there for two years, whorein school had- boon held for two years. Ho avowed that tho Minister's answer was •unsympathetic, and was not what was expected. Sir Joseph Ward, in a brief roferenco to this mattor, said that if the previous speakers wore sincere thoy would vote for the .Endowment Bill when it came down, which would give means for increased expenditure. (Laughtor and " Hear, hear.") Tho Minister for Education t-ook exception to the suggestion of tho Loader of the Opposition that ho was insincere or unsympathetic. Only party bias could doduco any sunh conclusion from his reply to Sir William Steward. Ho assorted that improvements had. been mado, but, in view of tho heavy business before Parliament, it would be impossible to doal with tho. question this year. All round, the salaries, six years ago, wore based on £3 per pupil. Now the'sum was £3 17s.- 10d. So far from being unsympathetic, tho Minister said ho had indicated to the House before this that somo improvement or alteration was still necessary, and tho next session ho hoped to submit definite proposals. The salaries most in need of revision wore those of the country teachers, and whon the time camo lie would be found sympathising'with that class—with tho small schools. No country in the world provided as liberally as New Zealand in the case of schools where there wero not fifteen or more pupils.! At present the sum was £6, but he .hoped, to increase it to £7. The matter, of grades had been; fixed up after the Education Committee of tbo House and tho Royal Commission had exhausted the whole question. PACKET LICENSES. Mr. Poole (Auckland West) asked the Pre•mior whether, "in viow of tho trouble caused by tho packet license systom, ho will tal>o stops at an early dato to restrict the operations of the same. Tho reply was that certain suggestions in connection with packet licenses have been i •made, and are- now receiving tho considora-1 tiori of tho Govornmont. Mr. Poole said tho answer was vague, | and would be more acceptable if moro deft- ! nite. He suggested as a temporary oxpediont that it bo made illegal for any vessel to have a license which made only three or four days' trips.. The present state.of things, as had beer' shown 1 already,' was a menace to the public who travelled on theso boats. Mr. Jennings said he had already brought this matter .before tho Government. He recalled the case of 'a passenger who had jumped out ;of a- port-hole. while under tho influence of drink. Consideration could well bo-given to ,the case of large vessels as well as small.' ' ■ Mr T. Wilford (tho Hutt) also had a quostion 1 on the' order paper in regard to this matter, particular reference, being mado therein to the case of tho Kia Ora. ' Mr. Hornsby said certain facts in connection with steamers, trading on tho coast and in tho vicinity of the King Country should be "put on record. ■ He. asserted that boats ran in liquor to tho prohibited area by tho barrel. lii one caso an unsuspecting inspector sat on a barrel of whisky while ho conversed With the captain of the vessel. People' who travelled on the coast know woll what was going on. It .was hard to understand why. the,'offenders had not yet been brought.to justice. 1 ' -. • ' • . ;Mr. E.' G. Allen (Invercargill), in-defence of the'TJnion'Company, said no officer was allowed to procure liquor when in charge of a ship.- , -J;"The Premier said it'was not intended to introduce licensing legislation this session, but ho, proposed to submit legislation on this matter of vessels which were allowing their permits to bo used in prohibited areas. It was also intended to impose restrictions to prevent the'serving of liquor to officors and crew;'where such restrictions may bo necessary *for the safety of tho travelling public. / THE LAND BILL. FURTHER DISCUSSION IN COMMITTEE. Discussion .was resumed in; Committee- on the Land Laws Amendment Bill at Clauso ,61c'. The clause, a new ono, proposes that the Board may set aside blocks of rural land under the homestead syfetem, for settlement without payment, ' subject to certain conditions. The area to be selected N is not to .exceed 200 acres, and for persons under 18 years of-age 50 acres: provided that the total quantity to be solected. by any one family or number of persons forming one household does-not exceed 500 acros. Residence on.the land selected shall be compulsory) and shall commence in the caso of bush lands within one year and in.the case of open lands within six months after the application has been approved by the board, and thereafter residence shall bo continuous for a period of seven years. Within 18 months after ; approval the selector must erect a houso. Certain portions of the section must be cultivated,each year. If the conditions are carried out a : grant at the end of seven years will -bo-'issued for tho land selected. Opposition Approval. Mr. Hcrries (Bay of Plenty) congratulated the Minister on having succeeded in Committee in placing this clauso in tho Bill, His opinion was, however, that a mistake would be mado in setting apart iinsurveycd lands. Surveying the reading should bo carried out before it was thrown open for settlement.Tho member for Wairau'(tho Hon. C. H. Mills) could -not support the clauso; its provisions wero too . generous. Limitation was inflicted upon .a man who secured a leasehold, but here' was a suggestion to giro away EOO acre's. . Mr. Mander (Marsden) thought the clauses would bo an assistance towards tho settlement of : somo' of tho poor northern lands. Tho Hon. T. Y. Dnncan explained that tho clause was not intended to operato in a general, way, but only in regard to such areas as in'the north of Auckland, and_ somo parts of Southland. Tho lato Premier had favoured the proposal. : Mr; Lang '(Manukau) feared tho clause would become a dead letter as the Ministor did not favour tho tenure, and it would bo with him to bring it into oporation. Ho (Mr. Lang) favoured-the clauso. Mr. Mossey congratulated tho ex-Minister of Lands on having placod tho clauso in tho Bill in committee. It was ono of tho most useful in the Bill. Ho hoped it would bo retained. The provision would bo vory useful for tho northern parts of tho Auckland district. ' _ ■ ■ Mr. Flatman.(Goraldine) spoke against tho proposal in its present state, and Mr. Mander supported it. Tho latter, with Mr. Bollard, considered tho provisions could bo applied effectively to gum lands. . Mr. Hogg (Mastorton) would support tho ..clauso if ho were sure it was riot a trap to get people on bad land and obtain tbo benefit of their labour in cultivating it. Ho was against any such principlo. Besides, if tho land was of any use, it would bo unfair to induce poople to settlo upon it when othersettlors had had to pay their way. Mr. Thomson (Wallace) contended that tho land in question would roquire thousands of pounds to improvo, and the result to a poor ,man.would.be disastrous. He, liko Mr. Flatman, would liko to see a schcdulo of tho lands which was to bo included, and lie would also, prefer to hear tho Minister's opinion of tho .clauso. . : ' Not a New Suggestion. Further discussion ensiiod, and Mr. Horrios said some members had tho impression that tho principle of- the proposal was new. As a mattor of fact, it had existed since tho old provincial'district days. It was repealed ,in "1892. In' 1885 tho system was oxtondecl throughout tho whole colony. Mr. Mills: 'Not tho whole colony. Mr. Hoi-ribs: Practically tho whole colony. 1 Mr. Mills: Not Marlborough. Mr. Horrics: No, not Otago nor Marlborouch: but Marlborough is tho wholo

colony. (Laughter.) He proceeded to quote tho late Johii Jiallanco, Sir George Grey, and Mr. Scddon as having supported tho principle of the system. Tho rent was not everything; get the land settled. Mr. Flatman would like to see tho homestead system extended, nut not to poor lauds whorcon a man would practically starve. Mr. Duncan said tho scheduling of the land would corao later on—at tho proper time. Mr. Massey said the promise had oxisted for many years that the homestead system would bo extended, and tho country had been expecting it. Struck Out. • Discussion was carried on until 9.20 o'clock, when a voto was taken, which resulted in the striking out of the clauso. by 36 to 25. Against tho Clauso (36): Mossrs. E. G. Allen, Barber, Barclay, Carroll, Colvin, Dillon, Ell, Fowlds, Gray, Hanan, Hogan, Hogg, Hornsby, Izard, Ivaihau, Kidd, Laurenson, L.wry, M'Gowan, T. Mackenzie, M'Nab, Major, Millar, Mills, Ngata, Parata, Poland, Remington, ltoss, Sidey, Stoward, Symes, Tannor, Thomson, Ward, Wilford. For tho Clauso (25): Mossrs. Ait-ken, J. Allen, Baumo, Bonnet, Bollard, Duncan, Fisher, A. L. D. Fraser, W. Frascr, Guin, ness, Hardy, Herries, Houston, Lang, Lewis, Macpherson, Malcolm, Mandor, Okey, Poole, Rcid, Rutherford, Seddon, Stallworthy, and Witty. Lands for Settlement. The Committee now passed on to consideration of Part II: of tho Act, which doals with lands under the Land for Settlement Act. Clauso 62 was passed. Mr. Massey moved to amend Clause 63, to give tho option of right of purchaso to Lands for Settlement land, in accordance with tho provisions of tho Act of 1892. Tho clauso directs that such lands shall only be disposed of under tho renewable lease system. The amendment was negatived by 37 votes to 26. Tho voting was as follows: — For tho nmoudmont: — Messrs. J. Allen, Baume, Bollard, Dillon, Duncan, Field, A. L. D. Frasor, W. Fraser, Hardy, Herries, Hornsby,' Houston, Lang, Lewis, T. Mackenzie, Major, Malcolm, Massoy, Mander, Okey, Reid, Ross, RuUiorford, Symcs, Thomson, and Wilford. Against the amendment: —Mossrs. Aitken, E. G. Allon, Arnold, Barber, Barclay, Bonnet, Carroll, Colvin, Fisher, Flatman, Fowlds, Gray, Guinness, Hanan, Hogan, Hogg, Izard, Kaihau, Kidd, Lauronson, Lawry, M'Gowan, M'Nab, Millar, Mills, Ngata, Parata, Poland, Poolo, Remington, Seddon, Sidey, Stallworthy, Steward, Tannor, Ward, and Witty. Short or tong Leases. Mr. Massey proposed to make the term of the renewable lease 66 years instead of 33. Ho said his object was to bring tho Lands for Settlement lands into line in tho matter of {be renewablo lease with the ordinary Crown lands. He know the impression oxisted that Lands for Settlement lands woro ready for immediate cultivation,' but in many eases such land would be in its natural state, and would require time to devolop into profitable land. Thirty-three years woidd spoil a lease. Sixty-six years even would bo scarcely sufficient. Mr. Herries would prefer ninety-nine years, and ho indicated ho would move in that direction. Ho would like to know why tho term of thirty-three years was included. In the Previous Bill. The Minister said the thirty-three years existed in'the previous Bill, and he was not responsible for putting it there. He proceeded that tho lands under the Lands for Settlement camo to the Government in a fairly good state, and a lengthy lease .was not required to mako thein profitable, as in the case of bush lands. Mr. Hogg thought thirty-three years too long. He would move twenty-one years if thirty-tlixoo years was struck out. Mr. Laritz; said that in tho Lands Co'mmitteo, voting on tho retention of tho thirtythree years was even, and the casting vote of the Chairman had been given in its favour as 1 against tho longer term. _ ' . : Mr. Rutherford did not consider a long term was desirable for tho Lands for Settlement lands, which wore mostly, broken up. Mr. T. Mackenzie said that if the settlors had to pay five per cent, to go on the land, and havo frequent valuations at the end'of short leases, tho Government would receive moro from them than the interest required to bo expended in rcspcct of them. At 11.10 o'clock a division was taken on Mr. 1 Massey's amendmont, which was lost by 39 votes to 23. Reduction of Interest. . The Minister moved to amend- sub-clauso 3 as follows:—" Evory lease shall bo granted at a 'yearly rental of £4 10s. per centum of the capital value of'tho land as determined by the Minister in accordance with," etc. The amendment lay in tho reduction of the rental from-5 to 4>} per cent. The Minister said that as the term of the lease was to bo thirty-three years the rate of- interest should bo reduced. There -was no intention to mako this concession apply to tho 999, years loaso —only to the thirty-three years. ' ■ . Tho amendment was agreed to, and the clauso was passed. Concession to Seller. Sections 64 and 64a were adopted without discussion. Tho latter clauso proposes to give power to grant a leaso of a portion of tile land to the seller as j part consideration for tho. acquirement of tho estate. The Minister oxplained that tho ■ clause would help tho Government in completing purchases. Preference to Employees.... ' Clauso 65a, directs ''that .before any acquired land is thrown open, a'renowable leaso of an allotment/ ' without competition, may be granted to any employee of the late ownor who had boon engaged for. M ledst iivo years preceding. tho acquisition, -the rental to be not less than fivo per contum of tho capital valuo of tho land. - Mr. Witty moved to make-the term of employment ten. years. The amendment was lost by 49 votes to 15. . • ' ■ The, Minister moved to mako tho concession contingent t on tho fact that the employee woiild' lose' his. employment by tho acquisition. . This, arid a formal motion to reduce the •rent to '4} per cent., ,wero carried. Progress was thon reported, and at 1.50 a.m..the House adjourned.