PARLIAMENT.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 613, 2 July 1908, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

ADDRESS-IN-REPLY DEBATE. [FSB PBESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, July 1. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30. The Hon. C. Louisson moved the Address-in-Reply. Briefly reviewing the Governor's Speech, he referred to the advantage to New Zealand of the visit of the American fleet, and approved the reappointment of Mr W. P. Reeves, as High Commissioner. He thought that a reduction in the price of some of the country's commodities was not a matter for great concern, as the prosperity which had been experienced had placed the settlers in a strong position, and they were well able to stand two or three . lean years. The Hon. J. Rigg seconded, speaking generally on the Arbitration Act. The Council adjourned at 4.50. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30. GENERAL BUSINESS. The Minister for Labour (Hon J. A. Millar) gave notice to introduce tlie Arbitration Act Amendment Bill, after the usual formal business. Leave of absence for a week was granted to Messrs Bollard, Barclay, and Rutherford. Mr Arnold moved for a return showing the railway passenger traffic between Invercargill and Bluff for the two years ended 30th June, 1908, giving each year separately. The roturn was, he said, of interest to the colony, as showing the traffic i from a prohibition district to a nonprohibition district. Tho Prime Minister supported the motion, which was agreed to. Mr Sidey moved that a committee be appointed to consider the present nomenclature of places and towns and their geographical characteristics in tlie dominion, with a view to suggesting alterations or improvements. The Prime Minister pointed out that residents in the districts in which changes were proposed were very sensitive of alteration, and if the Committee was only to make suggestions, he did not object, but could not agree to its throwing the responsibility on the House te take definite action. Tho motion was carried. MR ALLEN, CRITIC. Mr J. Allen resumed the debate on the Address-in-Reply, and charged Ministers with only touring the colony on the eve of a general election and making profuse promises respecting railways, roads, telegraphs, etc. DeaUng with the Superannuation funds, he would like to see the education, railway and police funds placed on a sound financial basis. The latter's revenue was going down each year, while the House knows little of the others. He spoke at length -on the question of advances i for workers' homes, and quoted Hansard to show that the credit for such was entirely due to the Opposition. The disposal of land under the Land for Settlement Act had not been satis, factory and provision should be made for the lessee at some, time securing the freehold if desired. When the finance question in connection with local government was brought up, the Government dropped it like a hot potato. Continuing, he complained that huge sums of .money, voted by the House year after year for roads : and bridges and other works, was ■ unexpended. Had tbe votes been I expended there would have been no ! necessity for the Premier's promise i to spend a million pounds for roads ]in the next five years. While this money was unexpended, they tanna that the Tourist Department had expended £6000 over the amount voted, and he failed to see that that Department was doing as much for the country as would roads and i bridges. i MR WILFORD ON DEFENCE. ! Mr Wilford dealt chiefly with defence matters, and thought the Defence Council should make provision for the quick mobilisation of corps along the lines of communication. Dealing with gunnery, he would like to see* the Dominion send a team of big gunners to Australia to com- ; peto against the Commonwealth. ! There was a precedent for this, ho ' said, pointing out that England had sent a team to Canada. He was op--1 posed to an increased naval subsidy, ■ believing that the money could be ; better utilised in perfecting our own j defences. He was also opposed to : the proposed vote for the entertain- ! ment or the American fleet, declaring that thre was no love lost between the United States and Great Britain. He would strenuously oppose Parliament adjourning or voting money for the ceremony. Mr Flatman strongly supported the Government policy. The House resumed at 7,30. MR POOLE AND LIQUOR. Mr Poole, referring to the prosper- • ity of the country, said they must be ! cautious against basing their calcu- | lations upon boom prices. He re- ' gretted Mr Wilford s attitude toj wards the American fleet, and said , that if the warships were visiting I.Wellington, Mr Wilford, as Chair- [ man of tho Harbour Board, would, be I taking a prominent part in welcoming > the officers and crews. He advocatjed the absolute majority on the j liquor question, and said he would be sorry to see the Arbitration Ac^ amended. He advocated an increase to the salaries of teachers in outlyi ing districts. There should be ! greater supervision of prisoners to j see that they wero not sent to places to which they were a menace. SOME OTHER DEBATERS. Mr Ell referred at length to bank- ! ing matters, controverting the argument that the State cannot afford to have anything to do with banking. He paid a high tribute to the management of the Bank of New Zealand, an institution which had the patronage of the highest financiers. Why, he asked? Because, if anything happened to it, it had the assistance of the State. Mr Jennings referred to the necessity for roading the backblocks and advocated closer settlement. Mr Reid (Taieri) contended that the chief danger of a State Bank was the political pressure that might be brought to bear on it. Referring to the Bank of New Zealand, he did not think the shareholders were anxious for an increase in capital, but the directors thought it necessary as an ordinary business precaution. Mr Davey complained that a quantity of parts required for the rolling stock of the Main Trunk line had been imported, despite the repeated promises of the Government that any work which could be manufactured in the Dominion would be. Mr Major congratulated the Government on the steps they were taking to extend a cordial welcome to the American fleet. THE MOVER REPLIES. At 11.45 Dr. Chappie rose to reply, thanking- members for their indulgence to him in his Parliamentary baptism, which made it more pleasant than it might have been. The House adjourned at 11.50 p.m.