PARLIAMENTARY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 15124, 13 October 1909, Page 8

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Abridged from Press Association.) LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, Octouek 12. AFTERNOON SITTING. Tlie Council met at 2.30 p.m. IMPREST SUPPLY. An Imprest Supply . Bill from the House passed all its stages. ADDRESS-IN-REPLY. The Heat R. A. Loughnan moved the Address-in-Reply. Ho said he considered it a special honour, as this was the occasion on which the foundation of tho Empire had been well and truly begun. He dealt at length with the naval defence work of the recent conference and the success attending the visit of the Prime Minister to the conference. He went on to say that he was not quite certain that the time had not arrived when a compulsory system cf military training should 'be adopted in the dominion. If there was not to bo such, a system, what was the use of asking Lord' Kitchener to report on the forces? He felt sure that the people would welcome compulsory training. (Voices: "No, no.") Dealing with tho land question, ho indicated that the assessment might be adjusted in such a way that it need matter little what the tenure was. Referring to the Timber Commission, he said tho most important recommendation was afforestation.

The Hon J. Barr, in seconding the motion, said that, while ho agreed that they should individually and collectively defend the Empire, there were things i nearer to the people than tho problematic defending of the Empire. As to the reference in the Speech to the reduction in Customs revenue, he said that while they had lost on Customs, they had gained on land tax. Things to a certain extent had been made easier foT the working people. They accepted this as a first instalment of what was to bo. The land and income tax had increased without conferring injury upon anyone. He held that the tendency of the Government was not to put things into the hands of a few, but was towards a more equitable distribution of wealth. He quoted statistics to show that much had been done and was being done by the Government ibr the people in advances to settlers, and he looked forward to still more being done in the future. He alluded to the labour laws, and pointed out that, while they had done much for the workers, tMero were hundreds of men and women in the dominion who worked early and late, 365 days a year, with no half-holiday or Sunday rest, and it was essential to amend the law to give relief to these. On the question of unemployment, it was for the Government to take steps to prevent the annual recurrence of going to the public for charity for honest men who wore unable to find work during a certain period of the year. His suggestion was that the question might be dealt with (1) by a labour exchange, (2) a scheme of insurances, (3) special Government ' and municipal works, and (4) labour colonies. He dwelt at great length on the advantages of a scheme of bureaux and insurance, quoting extensively from the German scheme. The Council rose at 5.30 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, October 12. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House mot at 2.30 p.m. FIRST READINGS. On the question of leave to introduco the Canterbury' College and Agricultural College Act Amendment Bill (Mr Craigie), Mr Russell asked the Speaker to rule if this was a local Bill. The Speaker said that ho could not do so until he had seen the Bill. The Prime Minister referred to the extraordinary fact that no copy of tho Bill was in the hands of members. This was an anomalous state of affairs, and revealed a weakness in the Standing Orders. Mr Massey said he was glad that the Prime Minister saw the necessity for a member to explain his position in regard to the Bill. He hoped he would reconsider his decision to amend the Standing OrdeTs so as to prevent members speaking on a motion for leave to introduce a Bill. Mr T. E. Taylor said that the rights of private members were at present so slight that it was necessary to resist any attempt to further restrict their powers. Tho Bill passed its first reading. The Kaitoke County Bill (Mr Okey) Waipukuratt Reserves Bill and National Sick and Accident Insurance Bill (Mr Guinness) were read a first time. The Hospital and Charitable Institutions Bill was introduced by Governor's message and read a first time. ADDRESS-IN-RHPLY. The Address-in-Reply was moved by Mr R. W. Smith (Rangitikei). Ho said that the finding of the Timber Commission was considered unfavourably by all those who desired to see the progress of the industry in the dominion. The timber industry encouraged settlement, and deserved the support of tho State. He referred to tho Prime Minister's visit to Britain, wh6ro Sir Joseph Ward had acted as ' a worthy representative of the dominion. It was a pleasing result of the Defence Conference that'New Zealand would have a squadron in its own waters, manned by its own people. The loan raised by the Prime Minister was clear proof that New Zealand still had the confidence of Old World financiers. The loans to local bodies arranged for by Sir Joseph Ward would be welcome to many bodies throughout the dominion. He hoped to see Native lands dealt with on the same principle as European land. He was gratified to see that the revenue from the railways for last year was in excess of the previous return. He announced himself as a staunch believer m the optional tenure coupled with limitation ot area. Mr T Buxton seconded the motion for the adoption of the Address-in-Reply, and referred to the agricultural prospects, which were hopeful. lie late financial stringency could not be attributed to the Governments legislation, which had rather gone to reduce tho effects of the depression. He advocated a scheme of-compulsory military service. Touching on land legislation, he favoured the leasehold system as a stepping-stone to the freehold though personally he would as soon have the leasehold as the freehold Vie condemned the resolution of the K armors Union Conference that the Government should cease further purchase of lands until all Crown lands wore settled. This would not do for the South Island, especially Canterbury, where there were no Crown lands. The Old Age Pensions Act required, amendment by removing the property disquahfieat.on A fund could be raised by a graduated income tax. This would be as just as a graduated land tax. Mr Massev, referring to Mr Smith S speech, said" that it was a good Opposition one. The party that Mr Smith now supported had done its best to kill tho optional tenure. He agreed with the mover of the Address-in-Reply that the Timber Commission had not treated tho industry fairly. I no report was not worth a tenth part ot its cost to the country. He would suggest a Commission to deal with the Oh inomuri silting, which would be beneficial to agriculturists and others. Hegardinp; Mr Buxton's speech. Mr Massey held that the recent financial depression was largelv owing to local borrowing and to legislation, which caused

large sums to be carried out ot tno country. Tho Governor's Speech contained* a great many subjects. nan these were dealt with, it would be impossible to finish the session before Christmas. He deplored the absence of any provision for local government legislation. The Speech contained more soothing syrup than sound legislative proposals. He hoped that some of the ground lost by the postponement of Parliament would be regained before Christmas. The House rose at 5.30 p.m. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Mr Massey continued his speech on tho Address-in-Reply, and dealt with the question of defence. He had not, ho said, the slightest intention of making this a party question. He was sorrv that the subject of land defence had'not received more attention. He bolieved that New Zealand would oventuallv evolve a satisfactory scheme. At the time of the general election nothing was said about retrenchment, and people wore asked to look at things through rose-coloured spectacles. It was a matter for congratulation that they had got through a period of depression without more hardship than had been experienced. Ho was afraid that when prosperity returned, an era of squandering and waste would begin. He condemned bringing immigrants into tho country at a time when there was no work for them, aud hoped that this state of things would be remedied during the present session. Referring to the charges of slanderous statements against the credit of the country ascribed to the Opposition by the Prime Minister, ho challenged Sir Joseph Ward to name the persons responsible for the statements. He donied that any Opposition member had made damaging statements in an underhand way. The Opposition had played tho game fairly, and intended to do so, but when accused unfairly would hit back. He condemned a pamphlet circulated under the title " Lest We Forget," and bearing the signature of Sir Joseph Ward, which boasted of prosperity at a, time when the Government was in financial difficulties.

Sir Joseph Ward: We were never in financial difficulties.

Mr Massey: Yet you were sacking hundreds of men. Referring to the Native Land Commission, Mr Ma<?sey said he was disgusted with the report. Judging by past experience, land recommended for settlement would never be opened in the present generation. The only way out of the Native land difficulty was to place tho Natives on the samo footing as Europeans, subject to certain restrictions to safeguard Native interests. A largo proportion of the Nativo race was agreeable to this course. The present state of the mail services was unworthy of the country. Ho considered that arrangements should be made with the Union Company to have a connecting steamer with Suva to moot the Vancouver mail boats. The Hon G. Fowlds congratulated the mover and seconder of the Address-in-Reply on their speeches. Notwithstanding Mr Massey's designation of the Advances to Settlers Office as a pawnshop, one and three-quarter million of money had been advanced, proving the truth of Mr Buxton's remark that the Government had alleviated the financial stringency. He ridiculed Mr Massey's statement that there was as much poverty in Wellington last winter as in Britain. It could not be denied that many loan companies had given up business in New Zealand, but that was because the Government had lowered the rate of interest, consequently capital had gone where it could get more remuneration. He referred at length to the Second Ballot and the Absolute Majority Bill, and Mr Massey's attitude thereon, which he held to be inconsistent. * The Government .retrenchment scheme was justified. The expenditure had grown to such an extent that at a timo when revenue was falling off it was necessary to retrench. The Opposition made no effort to assist the Government in cutting down expenses. At present it was calling out for military service. Land gambling mania in Wellington district was rampant previous to the depression, and was a chief cause why the depression was more severe in that city than anywhere else. Everything ]>ossib]o should be done to keep down this gambling in land. The Government valuations were 30 to 40 per cent below the actual selling value. Those who objected to the valuations were in the same position as the landlords of tho Old Country who objected to pay their share of tho cost of Dreadnoughts. Tho groat increase in landed values was owing to improvements made by the State in making roads and bridges.

Mr Fisher twitted the Hon G. Fowlds with sinking his views on the land question. He objected to liis party being identified with the old Tories by Mr Fowlds, yet the Tories deserved credit for establishing some of the finest Socialist institutions this or any other country could boast. The party on his side of the House rejoiced at the reforms being brought about in the Old Country by means of the Budgot. A progressive policy of land settlement was required by the country, and the Government was not going fast enough in that direction, because it was afraid to formulate a land policy. He accused the Government of wasting thousands of pounds in connection with the new Parliament Buildings and unprofitable railway lines in the South Island, also with raising the salaries of highly-paid Civil officers previous to dismissing many servants who were receiving only living wages. The only method by which satisfactory valuations could be secured was to impose a transfer tax on land transactions and thus hinder speculation.

Mr Poole charged Mr Fisher with tergiversation in his political career. There was a feeling of disappointment in tlie country that tho Liberal Partywas not so progressive as might be wished. Golden opportunities were passed by, and the party was in a stagnant state. Tlie recent commercial depression was not. due to any maladministration, but to purely industrial causes. However, thanks to the reform party at Homo, legislation was in process of enactment that would equalise taxation, relieve poverty, and open up markets for the produce of the dominion. No doubt tho country settlers worked hard, but not much harder than the town worker, who had little to spare after settling accounts at the week end, while the settler had plenty of elbow room and good plain food, and was carving out a home for himself. The worker in the town was as deserving of consideration as the country settler. There was a growing feeling throughout the country that better opportunities must be given for earning a living upon the land. The donate was adjourned till 7.30 on Wednesday. The House rose at 11.25 p.m.