THE ESTIMATES.

Northern Advocate, 6 September 1913, Page 3

THE ESTIMATES.

The House then went into committee on the Estimates. At Class V—public buildings, domains and maintenance of roads £ 116,581 — Mr G. W. Russell (Avon), moved to reduce the vote of £45,000 for maintenance of roads, as an indication that fuller details should be given. On being assured that the Minister would supply the details Mr Russell withdrew his amendment. He asked whether the Government intended to go on with the proposed motor-car tax. The Hon. W. Fraser (Minister for Public Works), said the question of motor-car tax was not in his department, but he understood that motorcar owners desired to be taxed in order to properly maintain the roads they used. The vote was passed unaltered. When Class Vl—native department, £24,724 —came on, Mr Wilford (Hutt) suggested that the vote should be held over to allow two of the four native members in the House who were away (one through illness and the other owing to being occupied on public business) being present to watch the interests of their people. Other members upheld the attitude taken by Mr Wilford.

The Hon. Dr. Pomare said there were two native members present,

and it could not be said that those members would not conserve the rights of their people.

The Hon. W. H. Herries (Native Minister) said that if the native members had given him notice that they desired to have the estimates postponed he would have acceded to their wish. He was bringing down a Native Bill this session and all the affairs of the native race could be thoroughly discussed when that measure came before the House. He would say that he, as Minister of Native Affairs, or as a private member had never done anything detrimental to the native race. He had, as a matter of fact, on more than one occasion been against his party on .natters affecting the native race.