IN THE HOUSE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVI, Issue 12571, 5 August 1901, Page 6

IN THE HOUSE.

[Feom Ottr Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Augus* 3. After dinner last night the Advances to Settlers Bill was read a second time on the voices, and was succeeded by Rating on Unimproved Value. After the Premier had spoken, the Conservative element made the usual objections, which, as Mr Pirani remarked, are to be seen in the, same words in "Hansard." The Ministerial supporters followed with their fears for the small men. . The member for Riccarton was very strong, on that side. Mr Pirani, who made one of the best speeches of the evening, threw much light on the working of the principle, but thought that, in the absence of a. better system, of local valuing, it would bs better not to make the principle" compulsory. Mr Hannan spoke for Invercargill, where the principle is.in force, very cogently, and quoted the experience of Queensland and Great Britain very fully. Mr Ell made the telling speech of a very interesting debate, speaking from the fulness of statistical information. He knows his rate-book, and he takes the.value both ways. He began with Sydenham, went round by Riccarton, and ended in Christchurch, while the Premier sat with his feet up, with an encouraging eye on the vigorous member hauling out* paper after paper. The Acting-Speaker strove to protect • him from the pestering which he received, but Mr Ell did not heed the interruptions. He addressed himself to the supposed loss on large properties. • The owners of fourteen big buildings in Sydenham would be bettered under the principle, and thirty-two well-to-do men would make Up the loss and pay. £220 more in rates. Coming to the poor man, he gave the value, under both systems, quoted the rates," and pointed out that chey were in each, case greatly reduced. When' he got to Riccarton he shook his papers at Mr Russell, and said, "I'm going to show him his own district," and placed the poor men in -clover. In Christchurch,' Mr Ell began with Aberdeen Street, strewing reduced rates like largesse in his progress. A voice cried out: " You are doing very well," and other members, in spite of Mr Speaker, insisted on interrupting with questions. The shrewd member from Whangarei interjected, " But you haven't shown us where you're going to make up the losses." To which the member for Christohurch replied, " You will learn all about that directly." Mr Ell made one bound among the rich citizens of Qhrisfcchitrclv City. ■ One well-known to the member for Riccarton, therefore he would not mention his name, had a corner section, did nothing to it, and would not even put up a decent fence. Under the present system he paid £9, and • under the other he would pay £25. As Mr Ell said this the House buzzed encouragingly. When the energetic orator sat down the House cheered him all round, and he retired, conscious that he had reached a much higher level than he has hitherto achieved. When the House adjourned, in the middle of the speech of Mr Allan, of Bruoe, who was pointing out that all these were estimates, members went away, talking of Mr Ell's grip of the subject.