House of Representatives.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 298, 28 September 1910, Page 5

House of Representatives.

Wellington, Last Night. The House met in the afternoon. Sir J. G. Ward read the following cable, received to-day, from the Premier of Canada (Sir Wilfrid Laurier). in connection with the running of the Vancouver mail service:—'"ln reference to your letters of 16 th and 20th, we are to-day informing the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia that we forthwith notify the contractors that they have permission of the Government of Canada to make a call each way at New Zealand under the old (existing) contract. I am expressing the hope that Australia will concur and also informing Australia that in any case Canada is obliged to stipulate that from August next New Zealand must be a port of call." Sir Joseph Ward gave notice to move "That whereas it has been represented to this House that the Pacific Cable Board desires to construct a deviation of the Pacific cable authorised by the Pacific Cable Authorisation Act, 1599, and it appears to this House that such deviation should be permuted, this House approves in pursuance of the provisions of section 166 of the Post, and Telegraph Act, 1908, and of the Pacific Cable Board constructing and laying a cable to be used in the transmission of messages between New Zealand and Australia in place of the required portion of the Pacific cable at present used for that purpose, the new cable to lie directly between Doubtless Bay and some point in Australia without touching at any intermediate point." The Prime Minister moved in pursuance of a notice of motion standing in his name, "That the Standing Order? be amended so as to permit new business being taken after 12.30 at night." He referred to the unprecedented delay in carrying on the business this session. He had never known a session in which there had been such a desire to talk up till 12.20 so as to prevent new business being dealt with. For these reasons it was desirable to remove the barrier to progress of business. The Government intended to put through its policy Blils this session. The Leader of the Opposition did not approve of the motion. The Premier could have curtailed the prolongation debate had he so desired. Mr Massey quite agreed that there had been an unprecedented desire for members to talk up till after 12.30 in order to prevent new business being taken but the Government supporters were responible for this. Sir Joseph Ward himself had been the chief offender in obstructing business. The Premier should give more details in regard to the work of session. "Policy Bills" was too vague a phrase. After discusion, in which the motion met with opposition and approval, the Premier, in replying, threw the onus of the prolongation of the financial debate on to the Opposition, and declared he had never seen the Opposition so badly led. He denied that he personally had wasted time and said the whole policy of the Opposition was to indulge in grumbling at delay. On division the motion was carried by 31 to 25. The following Bills were read a third time and passedHutt Railway and Road, Government Railways Amendment, Immigration Restriction, and the Tobacco Amendment. The House went into Committee on the Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Bill. Mr Massey asked the Premier if he would give details of how money appropriated for the purposes of the Bill would be expended as was usual. Mr Wilford asked if the Minister would consider the question of including oilfields in the scope of the Bill. These ought to be safeguarded from monopolists. Replying to Mr Massey Sir J. G. Ward said the schedule of the Bill would be included in the Public Works Statement which was the proper place for it. Goldfields would also be dealt with in the Public Works Statement. These matters could not be dealt with in the Loan Bill. Replying to Mr Wilford, Sir Joseph agreed that the development of oilbearing fields was an important question. It would require special legislation. When this was introduced the matter could be dealt with. Referring to telephone communication he was riot prepared to place large sums on the Estimates for this purpose unless local bodies were prepared to assist in finding part of the money necessary. The House rose at 5.30 p.m.