IMPREST SUPPLY BILL

Grey River Argus, 27 June 1914, Page 6

IMPREST SUPPLY BILL

a. Vigorous debate. (P«r United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 26. In the House this, afternoon, Hon. J. Allen introduced the Imprest Supply Bill, providing .£964,000 for payment of the public services. Sir Joseph Ward asked when the Financial statement would be brought down. Hon. W. F. Massey said that j* would be ■ probably in, about three weeks. During the interval he would introduce" the Licensing - Bill. Sir Joseph Ward raised the question of certain advances to the Whan garei Borough Council, also pledging-gilt-edged - securities, and the- Council appointments. Mr Massey in reply, contended that the electors had given him a mandate to reform the Upper House. He hoped to be able to give the names of the appointments next week. He held that tihe constitutional procedure was bemg followed' in introducing the Reform Bill in the Counciil. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. On resuming after supper the debate developed into a medium for ventilating local grievances, and at n-45 the Bill passed the Committee stage without amendment. On the third reading Sir Joseph Ward proceeded to discuss Rear Admiral Henderson's report on the .establishment of a local navy, to show that his statement that cost of the fleet would be .625,20,5,000 was correct. Left sitting. ,When the House resumed at 7.30---p.m.} Sir Joseph Ward continuing the debate, reiterated* that the Government had no mandate to change the constiution of the legislature. The nominative chamber had no right to make a change in ' the constitution which affected 'the rights of the repre sentatives of the people. THE PREMIER'S REPLY. Mr Massey asked- was- the Leader of the Opposition in favour of the reform of the Legislative Council. It was a matter of opinion as to whether the Government had a mandate from the people to- reform the Council-, but a majority of the present Parliament was elected pledged to the reform of the' Council. He quoted the resolutions ted to the House last session. He alo Quoted figures, to show" that !l-e resolutions were carried by a two to one majority. The Leader of the Op position complained that the Govern memt had no mandate to alter the constitution, but what about the second ballot. Sir Joseph Ward': "That is electoral reform not- constitutional." Mr t Massey contended that it was constitutional. 'He -"saicf that'Sr Joseph* Ward's reference to the land tax was paltry. In, the last two years there had been two and a half million. The suggestion that appointments to the Council were being made to block the land tax was absurd. The appointmeats were being made to enable the Government Vto pass its bill. The proper thing to do was to pass the bill this session, and allow it to come into operation at the following, general election.' , ; * MEMBER FOR . AVON. ' , Mr G. W. Russell (Avon) criticised the .-accounts of the Railway, Defence and *Lands Departments, and said that ho was afraid that the wonderful skill shown in the manag-ement of the March quarter accounts 'had a great deal' to do with the .production of the surplus of , He thought that the Govern ment<\had done what -it hadoften accused- its opponents of doing, takiiig tile surplus. •, He characterised the proposals -' for a change, of the ,con stitution as an act of political perfidy . The Government were nominatingmembers to the Council, while with tongues in their, cheeks they proposed to reform.' the body. He contended that the" Government had > a sufficient majority in the- Council! to pass the, Bill, and the, Council should first be tested before the proposed' appoint-' ments were made. These , appointments were being made for • seven years. Language him to express his . opinion of the .proposal to -bring; the reform into operation in 10,17. MINISTER. OF FINANCE: Hoxr: ,J. Aliens asked what mandate he Mackenzie Ministry ,had for the, appointment of three members to the Council._ x T!hat ought to answer the Opposition objections to the Govenment's action. In xeply to Mr G. W. Russel, ihe dealt with the/ quarter's accounts, and repudiated the suggestion that payments lmd been heldi to swell the sur i?hjw Dealing with the Legislative Council appointments he said, that the appointments would be for three years if they could g-et.^he measure passed. He denied that there was' a sufficient Government majorit> fo the t Council *o- pass ireform , without the 'new ap:ointments. He; said that when Sir Joseph went cut of- office' /all" the reserved funds. were pledged, and <;£i, 000,000 ads T .i»c cs obtained. Stir Joseph iWard had 'eft his successor' without 'any securities, to~ pledge in case of an emergency or crisis. The Securities were now redeemed, and .had been , free ever since. r , For Children's Hacking Cough at •light, Wood's 1 ' Or«"ac_ P««iipennun L'ur»