THE ESTIMATES.

Evening Star, Issue 11664, 26 September 1901, Page 1

THE ESTIMATES.

FREE DISCUSSION. [From Own Fasuauxntasy Rkpobtke.] Wellington, September 26. The discussion on Mr Lawry's amendment to going, into Supply lasted something less than halt' an hour, and was conducted by members of the Opposition, who protested against the Government putting up one of thtiir supporters with a bogus proposal, the effect of which,was to tjike up the time of the House, when members were prepared-to go on with the business of the country A division was called for by Mr Pirani, and twenty-eight members voted-in favor of holding the next session "in the more congenial climate of Auckland," while thirty-four voted in favor of proceeding with the Estimates. A start was made with the offices of Industries and Commerce, £B,9oß.—Mr G. J. Smith expressed disappointment with the maimer in which this department was being run, contrasting Cook and Sons' tourist agency with it. It badly wanted gak vanising into life.—The Colonial Secretary explained that the object of the department was not competitive, but to enablo the colony to obtain fresh markets and, to push those already established. He admitted that there was cause for dissatisfaction, but the department had just been reorganised. He believed that henceforth there would bev no ground for adverse criticism. He strongly advocated that vessels should trade direct to South Africa and back.—Mr . G.. W. Russell' thought that Mr Donne's appointment was exceptional so far as the Tourist Department was concerned, but his want of knowledge in commercial matters did not adapt him for a secretarial position in regard to industries and commerce.—Mr J. Allen pressed for information as to the amount of grain purchased for South Africa by the Imperial Government;, while Mr Laurenson found fault with the colony for relying too largelv on London as an outlet for its products. He urged the necessity, of widening our markets, and declared that if the department did not justify its existence within the ensuing year it ought to be abolished.— Mr Millar objected to Mr Donne's appointment at a salary of £SOO, saving that ho had been taken out of the Railway Department, where .he had been drawing £4OO, with no immediate .prospect of -an increase.—Mr Pirani suggested that the Tourist and Industries Department should take charge of the Government advertising, and run it on business-like principles. —Sir J. G. Ward promised to make a note of the suggestion.—ln answer to Mr T. Mackenzie, the Colonial Secretary stated that Mr Gow (the trade expert) was instructed to ascertain the possibility of establishing payable cool stores in London.— The vote eventually passed unaltered. Tourist and Health Resorts Department, £16,147.—The Colonial Secretary, in answer to Mr Hemes, stated that provision for batlis at llotorua and Te Aroha would be found on the Public Works Estimates.— Mr J. Allen urged that a urst-elass expert should; be employed in England to take charge of the whole of the thermal districts of the North Island, and wished to know whether the curative powers of the waters at Waiotapu had been properly tested. He believed that they were nio'ie efficacious than Dotorua.—The Colonial Secretary promised that efforts should be made, through the Agent-General, to get a first-class balnealogist at a . reasonable salary 'to . take charge of the whole of the baths in the colony. It was intended to establish tourists' offices in each of the fmlr centres, where information would be obtainable as to what advantage the colony. possessed for tourists. He believed ttiat Hanmer Springs would be more largely availed of in the future than they had beun in the past, and the House might take his assurance that none of the sanatoriums, which were a large asset to the colony, would be neglected.—Messrs Guinness, Wilford, and others advocated the necessity of additional free beds for the treatment of those suffering from rheumatism and other diseases who were unable to pay for their own treatment. The vote passed as printed. Miscellaneous services, £18,398. —Mr J. Hutcheson moved that the item " Copies of 'Review of Reviews' for Australasia for January, 1901, £260," be struck out.—The Colonial Secretary explained that 10,000 copies were ordered, of which 5,000 were sent to the Agent-General, and the balance issued in the colony.—A protracted debate (which is reported elsewhere) as to whether the magazine had developed proBoer proclivities followed.—The amendment was eventually negatived bv 37 to 19. Mr Pirani thereupon moved" that the item be reduced by £l, as an indication that the expenditure ought not to have been incurred.—This was negatived by 33 to 22, and with the vote still under consideration progress was reported. At 12.50 a.m. the House expressed a desire to continue the Estimates at 2.30 p m to-day, and the Premier concurred.