EVENING SITTING.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11319, 1 September 1899, Page 4

EVENING SITTING.

The Counoil resumed at 7.30. AID TO PUBLIC WOBKS. The Premier moved the second reading of the Aid to Public Worts and Land Settlement Bill, under which it is proposed to borrow one million. The Premier said that the Government might be charged with being in a hurry in bringing down this bill, but he pointed out that it had been foreshadowed in the Financial Statement. He had taken a new departure in conneotion with this Loan Bill, and earmarked the works on which the money was to be expended. (Cries of "Oh!"). From the exclamations made he gathered that there were too many works and too little money. He thought that it would not be wise to go in for lavish expenditure, therefore the amount proposed should be deemed sufficient. The country was in a safe and progressive condition, and anything that would be likely to disturb that condition should be carefully considered, A large borrowing scheme would inevitably attraot a large influx of population who would leave again on the completion of the work. That was one reason why they should not go fast?r than at present. Taking last year's expenditure on public works as a basis off requirements, this year the amount asked for was moderate. The sum of £150,000 was asked for opening up back blocks. Complaints had been made that the sum was not enough, but it would suffice for a time, and if further aid were required, the new Parliament could deal with the matter. It had been urged that the Public Works Estimates should be brought down before authority for the loan was given, but he had always contended that ways and means should precede allocation as far as the allocation of money was concerned. He felt assured that it would meet with the approval of the Government supporters and the Opposition. When the Railway Authorisation Bill was brought down members would have an opportunity to review the allocation money. He reviewed in detail the proposed expenditure. Commenting on the item in the schedule, Kimutaka deviation, he defended that as one of the most urgent kind, on account of the great danger to human life by keeping to the present route. Settlement was going on apace, and requirements in that direction must be supplied. With regard to native lands for settlement the Government intended tapering off in that respeot. After explaining the clauses of the bill he stated that much larger expenditure was proposed on the main trunk line this year on account of the surplus. Therefore, he hoped that the House would agree to branch lines being more liberally treated. Captain Russell characterised the Premier's speech as a mere clap-trap appeal to constituents and to the people's prejudices. The bill had only been circulated that afternoon, and the House, therefore, should not have been asked to debate the question on such short notice. The introduction of various lines into the schedule that had not been authorised was wrong. An Authorisation Bill should first have been passed. He condemned such piecemeal legislation. There were only two lines of railway in the schedule that he approved of. There might be others that he knew nothing about. That it was necessary to borrow for railways he would not deny, but he contended that the proper method was to first complete such lines as would prove profitable, instead of by driblets here and there. Then side lines could be proceeded with. He condemned the vicious principle enunciated by the Premier, .that because a member was in opposition he should either be placated or punished. Personally it could not be charged that his district had received any great expenditure of public money, as he believed that £1000 would cover the amount. He asserted that the amount of borrowed money expended last year was evidence of the charge that the country had been living on borrowed money. It was proposed to expend £300,000 on the oxtension of lines already in progress and lines not yet authorised, but £225,000 was required for increase to the rolling stock. With regard to the proposal to purchase native lands, he pointed out that money already expended in that direction had proved unremunerative on account of no moans being provided for opening up these lands. After considerable dobato the second reading was oarried on tho voicos, and the House rose at I a.m.