THE HOUSE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 2631, 5 August 1908, Page 9

THE HOUSE.

1 . PRIVATE BILLS; The House met yesterday " afternoon' -at 2.30 o'clock. , , . 1 The Roman. Catholic Archbishop of Wei-' lingtori Empowering Bill was received from the Committee, and was read a third time, and passed. •' , ■ .-. ' ' The Wellington Harbour Board Reclamation and Empowering Bill was also .reported from Committed. The: date of tho third reading iwill be-fixed by the • Clerk of the House. ■/' FIRST READINC. . The foil J.ring Bills were read a first time and • referred to Special Committees —Otago • Dock Trust Merger Bill (Mr. E. G. Allen), Foxton Harbour Board Bill (Mr. Stevens), the Matamata, County Bill (Mr. GreenBlade). ■ ' THE : PETITIONING SYSTEM. A discussion arosls out;of the report of the M to Z Committee on tlie petition of the residents ~of Waiuku' for. a' branch. railway to connefct '. that township; with the Main Trunk line.. The Committee .reported that • : as the petition involved a question of policy it had no' 'recommendation to mako. ,Mr. MASSES wanted. t(i know if the petition would now go. to tho 1 Government or into the waste-paper Jiasket. He wished to ' know for tho benefit of his constituents. The SPEAKERsaid that if tlio petition ' / was laid upon tho table it did'not go to tho . Government j it >did'not g"o any further than " . the table. ■ (Laughter.) ' .The. PRIME MINISTER said the position . was similar to the one debated a few days ago, oh which occasion he had objected to petitions being presented where public works were wanted. ■ % Mr. HORNSBY (Wairarapa) said he, personally, had nover handed in petitions for public works. : ; If ■ approached by constitu- ' -■ ents he would go direct to the Minister to acquaint him with the details. Mr. J. ALLEN wanted to know whether it was .better to urge a Minister to have a' sum of money expended or to. have the matter. beforo Parliament. Mr. HOGG ;(Masterton),' jn the course of , some emphaitic remarks; said the Opposition were the only members followed .the practice of presenting petitions for public works. The northern members were tho greatest offenders in this'respect. Mr. HEKE thereupon roso to a point of order. Was. the last speaker in drder in making ' the imputation he had against northern members? . . , ■>. .'

The Speaker waived the point of order. (Laughter.) ■ Mr. Gray (to Mr.; Hogg): Now, get on K'ith.your story. Mr. Hogg went on with .his. remarks against the Opposition. There wero cries of "Question," "Question," the House evidently being tired of the continuous aild.repeated thrashing.of. thisperenuial subject.; Mr. Buddo, however, would not let- the question go without pro-' testing, that. 'there was arising a system of reflecting on the work of tho Select Committees. ; -• : Tho "question" was . then put, and the report of the Committeo was adopted.. THE LATE HON, H. FELDWICK. The PRIME, MINISTER said it was his lad dutv to intimate to. the House-the death of the Hon. H. I'eldwick, a very old member of . the Legislature/ Though at the time of his; death a member of the Legislative Council, he was formerly a momber of 'the House, of Representatives! He began his political career in 1878, and had sat in three different Parliaments, subsequently for sixteen years, being a member of the Legislar iivo-Council. Throughout his political career he had acted.in a. way Calculated to promote the best interests of whatever ho had been associated with. The Primfe Minister had known him personally for thirty-two. years. From_tho time, of his arrival in liivercargill in 1876 the deceased had taken a very, activo interest in local .matters. : He had;always been readyto do'anyone.a kindly turn, and to advance the comhuinity in which lio lived. .Many years ago ho i(the Prime Minister) had become a, volunteer, under tho command of the deceased, whoso . keen interest in" these matters had resulted Jn'his.subsequent promotion to the highest - volunteer office. In the Soiithland Province the deceased. was also well-known for tho interest he hadytaken in acclimatisation. matters! Ho also had played a prominent part in educational and other matters, and he had been Mayor of an important iiivercargill.-'borough, voluntarily resigning h'is position.. Throughout tho whole of his Parliamentary career, he had' had a very good name.. (Applause.) "And," concluded tho Prime .Minister, "I am sure I am echo_ing the sentiment' of the whole Legislature 'when I say wp all very much regret :his death, and will greatly miss him." The Prime Min r ister then moved"That, this House desires to place' on - record its high appreciation. of the fine services rendered to.the Legislature by tllo late Hon: Henry Feldwick, M.L.C., and respectfully tenders to tho family of the deceased its assurance of-its deep sympathy with them in their bereavement.".

Mr. MASSE Y (Leader of tho Opposition) said that for fourteen years he had known the deceased,, and .the latter had been One of his personal friends,. Ho was a,man who would never hurt the feelings of others. Ho had held high ideals and had fairly appreciated tho responsibilities of his position. Ho had held'a; firm* belief-iir tho' future of the country, and had never hesitated •to assist any inoveir.cht: for..its. advancement. It was only right they should honour • his memory. (Hear, hear.) . • Mr HAN AN (Irivercargill) spoko feelingly of the deceased,-and'of the sadness his death would cause in Southland.

Sir William STEWARD' also spoke at some length of the deceased," as ' a ..statesman, as a gentleman and as a volunteer. "A man" he said "who.'was-always respected and whose word was always ,kept." Mr. HORNSBY spoko as an old employee of the deceased and as orio who had served under him as a volunteer. _ It would bo a good thing for tho Dominion if every employer of labour, was like him. Mr. J. CJ. THOMSON (Wallace) recalled the lato legislator's first political speech to the c-lectors at Invercargill 30 years: ago. Ho had , Himself received " much courtesy rind kindness from the deceased. Tho musical skill, social charm and public influcnco 'of Colonel Feldwick were also mentioned. Mr. Thomson had never heard it said or suggested that lie ever used his public position for personal aggrandisement,. He had never injured by word or deed any person With whom life had coniß in contact. His eminence in Frecmasonary, and. his work for volunteering'were also eulogised. Mr. A. W. RUTHERFORD (Hurumii), Bp?alcing as one-of the oldest friends of the deceased whom he first met in 18G0, endorsed what had been said by previous speakers. The MINISTER FOR .LANDS (Hon. R. M'Xnb) recalled the, political fights of the 70's in which Col6nel Feldwick tool; part. Later ho (Mr. M'Nab) was .an officer of volunteers under Colonel Feldwick, who not only urged others to prepare themselves to defend their country but (lid so himself. 111 closing thus suddenly his, political career, 110 left not a single enemy .behind him.

The .Hon. T._ Y. DUNCAN (Oamaru) gave reminiscences of tlio tiino when Mr. Feldwicl; and himself wore among tiie small band of followers of the late Sir Georgo Grey.

Mr. F. R. FLATMAN (Geraldine) spoke of tho fair and gentlemanly manner in which Mr. Feldwick fought the election fight in Geraldine many years ago. Tho' resolution was carried. 'The House, at 4.15 p.m.,' adjourned as a token of respect until 2.30 p.m. to-day.