THE FINANCE BILL.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 534, 15 June 1909, Page 5

THE FINANCE BILL.

: PRIME 'MINISTER EXPLAINS THE *•' measure: The' Finance Bill (of which a summary appears elsewhere) ; .was then introduced by . Governor's Messuge, and road a first time. ; •.•••!-.The PRIME MINISTER, in moving the •second, reading of the, Bill,'briefly explained: its provisions.. Among. .other, 'things 'he' ■state*! ; thatnone'of.'the -railways 'outside the : . Authorisation Act could be ■ extended. Pro-: ■ Vision ! had been made,'inter alia; 'giving "poVjiir for the carrying out of new road works ■ to;;tj.o 'extent ■; of ; £50,000.':; "It ■ 'was: made: ; /clear beyond all-doubt that such votes could: be : expended in addition to those on the cstimates. Together'with'the amounts already ;: YBUthorised, ' ■•the amount- he had mentioned ■ • would bo more than sufficient for tho purpose.-. Clause 3.provided for /the payment of : -services lor. an;,additional .three .months on the scale.previously in forco. All moneys paid : under t,its»authority would havo :.to.- be ;. : included:.' ;iri""-.-tho ■ estimates that .would be, : ' brought down.next session. - ,Mr. Massey:: After tho money has been expended? . _ Sir Joseph: After the works have boon put : in hand. -That is not a new thing— Sir. Massey: I can't see what is the good icf Parliament. \ Sir Joseph: If that is not done there are plenty of works which would have to bo , stopped and men thrown out of- employment.: •Mr. • M-vpey: One reason why Parliament ought noi;io adjourn' but should- go .on with tho business.. >. • .. • -. -- '■ • Sir • Joseph: That / question;' has been Bottled, and wo aro.' dealing",now with the ; matter,in tho light of that. fact. / •A Member: AVo ought to have Estimates. •: Sir Joseph :■ That is, impossible. This is .■ what has .been- done under similar circum--stances before. ••: ./ ..( '"■■■ -. .- v- - • !; • Mr. Massey: Never; I don't know,what wo. ". are.coming to. , . ' . ,v- ---, Continuing, Sir Joseph said that a clause had been inserted? to satisfy, tho Audit Department. Provision'.was also mado for an :, 'increase.' in ' . the unauthorised /'expenditure, . which would otherwise ho insufficient. The - loan part of the Bill'Ws constructed on usual linos in connootion with/ the raising of money. : Among the provisions for rati- ■ way works was • one of £75,000 in • connection with linos which were being duplicated. Ths Prime Minister then ead a memo. | ■relating to . the' financial (position, which ie : given ■■"•in ■ another oolumn. . He pro-j posed - that.the debate be -, continued on tho • following day. ■ .••■■■>■■ Mr. Herdman ■ asked if the usual tables were-'attached,-to .the. /financial /statement which had been read. : Sir Josoph: A number are attached.: ; I don't know whether, all of them are there. : 'Mr. 'Herdman: Is the table showing tho- : public indebtedness'among 1 them.: v ■:./jSir- Joseph: 'No,'\jt 'is not attached;-' but I will have it laid on the table of the Houbo. ; the/., matter. : looked into.:as to whothor this is,an Appropriation Bill. In my opinion it is such a Bill in Ihe ordinary sense of the word. If I ■■-.< am correct it should havo bceti introduced, ' 'and dealt.with in Committee of Supply and Committee of Ways and Means. , N ".■-, • i'Jho Speakers I, will/look into the question.'

QUESTDN OF ADJOURNMENT. ThojHon. G FOWLDS then proposed that tho Houso should adjourn until 10 30 to-day. jlir- AlAbaiji It is not lair to oommuiu) v iho debate a< early as 10 30 o'clock Those nombers who aro expected to take a leading part in tho debate wouid not ha\o sulncient time to consider the Bill and tho financial statement proporly Ihcro will bo no dii- ' hculty in closing tho session within a day or 1 don't seo wuy it should noi close on Wednesdaj at tho very latest If the House sat again at 23U o'clock it

should do. ,_ i The PIUME MINISTER replied that h« would bo glad to fall in with the .request, but it he was expected to leave on Friday it was reasonable mat he should havo ono clear day to finish up tho responsible matters ho had to complete Ho w-is not averse to sitting up for 48 hours on end, but it was not a leasonable thing to givo no time to a man with onorinons ollioial responsibilities resting on his shouMers, and /With family responsibilities also to consider Ho was doing the best ho could do m asking tho House to it! ]ourn then until 10 30 a m to discuss th« matter Ho did not want to' lorco mat tins unduly, but ho thought that it was not unreasonable to ask the Hou'o to meet at 10 30. "I can tell any honourable member the contents of this Bill," he added Mr Massoy Wo havo to find them out for ourselves as you know perfectly well. The Pnrao Minister Thd hon. gontleman can understind tho conditions of this Bill in ten minutes. Mr. Massey "We havo to understand the financial position as well The Prime Minister Tho financial position will be in your hands as well ' Mr Massey: We'll havo about half an bonr to read it , 'i'ho Pnmo Minister , Well, I can't do impossibilities ' • 1 Mr Massey , It is simply another instance if tho unfair position in which tho House is leing placed Mako it half-past eleven Tho Prime Minister made no answer < Mr Massey 1 know perfectly well what's going to happen I shall be expected to come hbro. to-morrow with, a full jsnowledge of tho financial position and of this very important Bill now beforo Parliament, and J Bay it's impossible to do it Tho Prime Minister. Well, let's moke li 11 o'clock. After a pause—All right, make it 11 30 The motion was'altered to that effect, anc agreed to unanimously. The House adjourned at 10 50 pn