PUBLIC WORKS BILL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 977, 18 November 1910, Page 6

PUBLIC WORKS BILL.

THE IRRIGATION POLICY. ADVERSE CRITICISM, SOME INIQUITOUS PROPOSALS. n s When tho Public Works Amendment r Bill came on for second reading, Mr. Alien (Bruce) raised tho point that'it should bo referred to tho Lands Committee. Tho Hon. E. M'Kehzie said tho clause ; - in question could be deleted as provision y in that regard would bo made in an- > other Bill. Upon this understanding the B Bill was proceeded with. The Minister explained .that the Bill provided that land might bo taken, in- _ tcr alia, for irrigation and water power works. Increased powers were also pro- • posed in tho case of local bodies to reB f 1 ? 10 , 1 , he VJ' traffic Other.powers 'related to the establishment of baths, laying out of streets, etc. Usurping tho Rights of Local Bodies. Mr. Massey regretted that such an important Bill had been kept back till . such a late period of the session. Under 3 some clauses tho Minister appeared to . usurp the rights ol local bodies. It was , his view that the Minister had sufficient 3 power under the present law. There was , a clause'under which land might be acx quired where the owner did not avail t himself of irrigation provided bv the , Crown. Ho thought that the settlers - would prefer that.the local bodies should t establish the irrigation works. The local , body should have the option of saying ' whether roads should be formed and metalled before new lands wore sub-di-Vi ■ , I i?„ 1T0 "¥ P refer to see the Bill deferred till next session. . Mr J. Allen (Bruce) said that some of • the provisions of tho Bill reminded one ■ of the dairy regulations. (Laughter.) It , contained some iniquitous clauses. Take, ■ tor instance, the clause providing that the ■ trown could take lands in cases where ' the owner declined to accept' irrigation • from tho State. Mr. M'Kenzie:'You won't get irrigation 1 without it. . ; Mr. Allen: Yes. We will get irriga- ■ tion on fair terms even if we have to hare another Bill and another Minister ■ for Public Works. Mr. Scott (Tuapeka) said it was high time.that something was done in tho niat--1 tor of irrigation,. but ho did not think ' any farmer in the moments of-.his. wildest ; excitement ever anticipated a'Bill containing such provisions as.this Bill did. Farmers. were. quite willing to pay rates for irrigation if it were going.to improve their property. He personally, however, would-be very chary about allowing the Government to bring a water-race near, to or by his property when it could be confiscated in the manner provided in Clause 5 of the. Bill..

Scheme Faced With Difficulty. Mr. W. Eraser (Wakatipu) said the Bill no doubt contained extraordinary. provisions, but lie could not join in a wholesale denunciation of them, because lie recognised that whoever had'to carry out an irrigation scheme in this country was faced with very serious difficulty. There must be provision mado to de'al with things in an intelligent manner. He could not conceive that the House in the dying hours of the session would consent to pass a measure such as this without grave consideration. There was no'immediate hurry for this Bill, because the Government scheme would not be so far advanced as to require the. Bill . before next year. Ho was sorry so littlo attention had been given to tho matter of irrigationin'.thc past. There was much more behind this Bill than appeared on the surface of it. The Hon. K. M'Konzio declared that the taxpayers of the country should have protection. Mr.' Eraser: They want somo protection. Mr. M'Konzio said that they had the protection in, the Water Supply Act, but at the same time.this protection was also necessary, i • They were also asking the namo powers as county councils had under the Water Supply Act and. tho Public Works Act at the present time. Mr. T. .E. Taylor (Christchurch North) supported the Bill, and said he .thought the day would soon come when there would be a general betterment tax. ... An Adverse Proposal. Mr. Fisher (Wellington. Central) moved that the Bill be read a second time that day six months. Mr. Massey said that tho, Government brought water long .distances at great expense for irrigation; they should first mako investigations regarding an artesian .supply. Mr. Jas. Allen (Bruce) said, the Government proposed to take power to acquire even a mining right or any other right, such as a claim or a mining, concession. Mr. Eraser (Wakatipu) pointed out that the local bodies could not carry out'irrigation, because the Government would not let. tho water bo taken. However, :the Government was the proper authority to carry out_ the work. . Mr. Davey' (Christchurch". East) • saw that it was the duty of tho Government to see that before a private individual cut up his land he should bo made to provide proper' roads. Mr. Herries. (Tauranga) said that what would suit Sehvyn might not suit the rest of New Zealand. Mr. Luke (Wellington Suburbs) said,he was going, to vote against tho amend-, inent, which was., designed to kill tho Bill, although ho disapproved of some features Of it. Mr. Buchanan (Wairarapa) said tho Minister for.Public Works nail keen,told a good many homo truths that evening. Nearly every session tho Public Works Department sprung a' surprising Bill on the House. Ho.advised the Minister to postpone the jßill till nest session; ' The amendment was lost on tho voices, and tho second reading was "carried.