House of Representatives.

Hastings Standard, Volume VIII, Issue 4631, 1 July 1904, Page 3

House of Representatives.

L By Telegraph,. Wellington,' June 30. T'<<c House met at 'i.3u p.m. ADDRiv-^-IX-RKPLY. l\lr K. 31. Smith resumed the debate on tine Addre.ss-in-Reply. Aie strenuously opposed the granting 01 freehold tenure to drown tenants. He opposed the appointment ■of a High Commissioner for ttae colony in i,. union, maintamg that the AgentCeneraJi was sufficient for the colli uv s needs. He -would call for an en feet of tin- establishment 'ol the old pensions department owing to what he. regarded as t'ne- harsh interpretation of tin- regulations Mr Duthie said it was discouraging to find that no definite promise <i!''" local Kovcrnmeut reform iiad been made. -No excuse couid be made for the delay in this inspect. There was I no ground for the boast I !ial Hie ei'- | fe-t ol the e:s lain is*) men t of the State Fire Insurance Depart m,:'nt -ad been '■ <> cut rates, and he -declareti • ;,;> t ;:•](• Government could not run an independent tarif)'. He adversely crit:c ,; ;pfl the Oovernmenl, contract v.-!': the Federal Company for a s' i':;'i: Mip service between New Zealand and west of Kmclj.ud ports, and --unplained that when the contrail was entered into The Shaw. Sa .. :; a'ld Albion Company intended tn jiive ,: ' service direct from West of Kmria-d porls to New Zealand, yet ;!,;"- .iccented the Federal steamers. which did not give a direct service a i all. but came via Australian •.'.-',■; Tie coiv.!)a i !-! ".lie i'lemier's T:,-'-i!oi! that within, a '*iven area Vellii' ;t(m tiad a denser population 'h:,n -Jiiiic of the cities in the Old Country, and said lh;>f the official .-h.- supplied tb- lic-nres should he • --fii se-'"-e!y to 'as!;, "he r|i ' -.!(> concluded at 1..~i>. and lie- Add? ss-in-Rcjdy was agreed to or. (ho voices. The House rose at tl.lo p.m.