HOUSE CONSIDERS ESTIMATES.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 11 September 1929, Page 6

HOUSE CONSIDERS ESTIMATES.

WELLINGTON, Last Night, The House of Representatives to-day sat in Committee of Supply.

In referring to the Native Department estimate (£32,2(56) Mr. F. Langstone stated that the amount of £SOO which it was proposed to spend on clearing native lands of noxious weeds was insufficient. He suggested £SOOO would be a more satisfactory sum and would do much towards improving the conditions of many natives who we're experiencing economic stress at the present time.

Mr. .1. S. Fletcher expressed surprise t.hat £3OOO was to bo provided for the destruction of rabbits on native lands. He suggested portion of this amount could be more advantageously expended on education, or added to the vote for clearing qoxious weeds. Sir A. Ngata agreed that the sum of £SOO was insufficient for the purpose of clearing noxious weeds. He considered it -was a waste of money to attempt to accomplish the task with such a small sum. In his opinion, the vote should be £SOOO or nothing. This estimate, however, together with that for the destruction of rabbits, was controlled by the Department of Agriculture. He had always had Ills suspicions, when a private member, that the latter amount -was not actually all spent on native lands and he still had his doubts, Mr. W. D. Lysnar supported the expenditure of £3OOO on the destruction of rabbits, which, if allowed to breed on native lands, -would become a men a.ce to European lauds. The estimate was passed. The estimate of £6185 for the native land settlement account was then passed, after a brief discussion on the consolidation of titles. Compliment to Leaders. While the estimate for the native trustees account (£13.281) was under consideration, Mr. J. G. Coates expressed his pleasure at having been appointed to tlio Maori Elhnological Board. Sir A. Ngata stated that Mr. Coates had been fully entitled to this appointment, as apart from his former position as Native Minister, ho had been keenly interested in the subject. Ho added that the board was entirely noulpolitical and he proposed to appoint to it Mr. Ik E. Holland, who, in addition to his standing as leader of the Labour party, was one of the few men who had read ethnological publications. Mr. Holland, in thanking the Minister, suggested that Sir A. Ngata V. own look on Maori songs should be translated into English.

The Minister stall'd that there Avero (jitliculties in the way of obtaining accurate, and at the same time artistic translations. The vole was passed. The Cook Islands estimate ix-tS,!’?.'!; was then considered. Sir A. Ngaia stated that a select committee was investigating the whole (piestion of the steamer Maui Foma re and the House would liave another opportunity of discussing that aspect. Mr. HoAvard stated for dO years these i.-lands had been rather costly to New Zealand. Hi 1 would have no complaint against such, an expenditure Avon* t necessary but he saw no reason Avliy these islands should not become selfsupporting. Training Civil Servants. Mr. Coates asked if the Minister had had lime to consider whether it avoulcL be advisable that selected young men representing this country should attend the Tropica! Agricultural College in Britain to receive education that would enable them to superintend the .•scientific development of agricultural industries in the Cook Islands. He also inferred to the success of Judge Arson's administration and slated that a similar tribute could be paid to Cm work of Captain Luckham. The loader of the Opposition further urged there should be a constant training of civil servants for islands Avork.

The suggestion that representatives of New Zealand should attend the Tropical Agricultural College had not ~(j far been brought under his notice, said the Native Minister, but it was worthy of consideration. The training of civil servants in islands work was important, in view of the desirability ut obtaining co-operation and co-ordin-ation in native 'services. The Hou-c adjourned at 5.50 p.m. When consideration of the Cook Islands estimate was continued, Mr. E. ,T. Howard claimed the time had come when the taxpayers should insist on a definite islands policy. He stated the Cook Islands were overloaded with civil servants and there was very little to show for the money expended. The vote was then passed. Calliope Dock. The naval defence estimate (£SO-1,-90?) was then taken. Mr. W, D, Stewart asked the Minister if he would indicate to what extent personal service was being substituted for contributions towards the Navy and to what extent the Royal Volunteer Naval Reserve movement was developing. Mr. J. S, Munro asked what was the total sum it was contemplated to expend on the Calliope docks, remarking that the estimates contained an item of £25,000 on account. The Hon. T. M. Wilford stated the total sum would be about £39,000.

In replying to Auckland members' complaints in regard to the aiAmunition store at Dcvonport, Mr. Wilford stated the department was searching for a suitable new site for the store. In the meantime, ho had the assurance of the inspector of explosives that there was no danger involved in the existence of the store at Dcvonport.

In replying to Mr. Stewart, the Minister stated that the personnel of New' Zealand warships was on a fifty-lifty basis as regards the number of New Zealand and Imperial men. He added

that three new units had been formed in the Volunteer Naval Reserve. Mr. P. Fraser said he did not agree that any undertaking of a Prime Minister at the Imperial Conference was necessarily binding in respect to the actions of Parliament and he was opposed to expenditure on the naval base - at Devonport. Mr. Wilford stated the Diomede wao to go Home next month for repairs and in about a year’s time, the Dunedin would also go Home. In each case, these repairs would cost £60,000. Reduction Tendency. In consideration for New Zealand’s expenditure in making the Calliope dock up-to-date, the Imperial Government would make this country an allowance in respect to the maintenance of these vessels while they were away. That would more than equal the extra expenditure on the barracks. The effect of this allowance on the finances of the country -would not bo noticeable until the Dunedin went Home. Mr. H. E. Holland said he hoped the British Government would abandon the Singapore base and he looked forward to the development of the present tendency on the part of all countries to reduce their naval strength.

He complained that it was not rightthat the Prime Minister should attend the Imperial Conference ami commit Parliament to a certain course of action. Ho considered the time had come for a reduction in defence expenditure generally.

Mr. Coates insisted that it was incorrect to state that a Prime Minister committed Parliament at the imperial Conference. “Parliament cannot be committed unless Parliament approves,’’ he added and ho remarked Parliament had ratified all undertakings in connection with the Imperial Conference. Mr. Coates asked whether it was intended to have closer liaison between our air, naval and land defences when seaplanes were obtained.

That Now Zealand was lagging behind in the Avorkl movement towards naval disarmament was the view expressed by the Rev. C. Carr. Poison Gas Store.

Mr. H. E. Holland asked the Minister whether it was true that poison gas was stored in Auckland.

Mr. Wilford replied that t-nuaJ! capsules of gas for experimental purposes were in the possession of the liepar, ment. New Zealand, however, was not up-to-date in this respect. 3u replying to Mr. Coates, the Minister stated that the new Naval commander Avas completely up-to-date in relation to co-operation between the three sections of the defence forceand when "Wing-Commander. DaAVSon arrived, wo could look forward to further advances in that direction. When the two Fairey 8F ’planes arrived, they would be allotted to Hobsouviile, which was the only seaplane base in the country. These Avero particularly efficient machines. While they wore, not actually amphibians, they could be converted from flying boats into land machines in a few minutes.

In reply to opinions in relation to a decrease in the defence vote, Mr. Wi! lord said he wished once more to emphasise that the present increase was only temporary. Continuing, he stated it. was his honest belief that the wonderful discoveries that scientists had made in the direction of poison gas would end wars. However, so long as he was Minister of Defence, it was his intention to carry out whatever arrangements this Government made with the Home Government. He was satisfied the Labour Government in Britain, like any other Government, had the interests of the Empire at heart and if that Government indicated it wished New Zealand to provide only one cruiser, he would lie satisfied to follow that course. Empire Plan. It was essential Chat, as a unit of the British commonwealth of nations, wc should act in accordance with an Empire plan. If, however, this conn try wished to spend the money saved by adding to local defence, it would, be the duty of Parliament to decide on such a course. Mr. Wilford added that another extraordinary item in this year’s expenditure was the substitution of barracks for H.M.S. Philomel, which had now become useless. The vote was passed. The House next discussed the Defence Department estimate (£490,587).

Mr. Jenkins said he would have preferred that less should be spent on land defence and more devoted to civil and military aviation. He urged that lauding places should be provided as near ns possible to cities. Reform members complained that the estimates had not been referred to the Public Accounts committee and Mr. H. M. Campbell moved that the estimates should be reduced by £l, as an indication that the estimates should have gone before that committee prior to their .being submitted to the House. Mr. Coates asked Mr. Campbell to withdraw' his amendment, as ho had agreed with the leader of the House that certain estimates should be considered in committee to-day, on the understanding that other estimates should go before the Public Accounts committee.

Mr. Campbell stated he had been unaware of the arrangement Mr. Coates had made and agreed to withdraw his amendment. Junior Cadet Again. A plea for the re-introduction of the junior cadet system was entered by Mr A. Harris and was supported by Mr! W. D. Lysnar, who added that the compulsory clauses of defence should be relaxed at a stage when they might interfere with a young man's progress in his trade or business. Mr. H. E. Holland advocated that less money should be spent on . military aviation and more on civil aviation. He moved that the estimate should be

reduced by £l, on the ground that military expenditure should' be reduced. A division was called for and the amendment was lost by IS to 42, being supported almost solely by the Labour party. The Committee reported progress and the House rose pt 10.38 p.ra. without having passed the vote.