PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9257, 20 July 1893, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

[BY TKLEOBAFH.—FBK33 ASSOCIATION.]

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday. The House met at 2.30 p.m. THK HANSARD REPORTS.

Mr. Richardson referred to the Hansard ■ reports of tho members' speeches during the | present session. Some of these reports, ho said, were very good, but others were simply execrable, and ho thought some steps should be taken to ascertain who was responsible for this. Tho Speaker said he should bring the matter before tho Reporting Dobatos Cornmittee without delay. THK MINISTRY. Mr. Sf.pdon' said he desired to inform tho Fouse that tho Hon. William Montgomery had accepted a seat in the Executive Council, and had boon sworn-in that morning. As to tho other two portfolios, those of Justice and Native Affairs, he might say that Mr, Reeves would take charge of the Justice Department. As to the Native Department, tho Government were still of opinion that that Department should be abolished, but they had come to no definite conclusion on tho subject us yet. Mr. Carroll, however, would look after Native Legislation in the meantime. Mr. Fish asked whether that meant that Mr. Carroll was now a full Minister?

Mr. SKDDON said that the whole trend of the Government policy was that no distinction should bo made between tho two races.

Mr. RollesTON asked whether Mr. Car roll now belli a portfolio * Mr. Skddon replied in the negative. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Replying to a question, Mr. Rkkvks stated that ither the Friendly Societies Amendment Bill, which passed tho House last session, or a modified Bill, would bo introduced this session, and ho hoped it would be passed into law. THK OTAHO CENTRAL. Mr. Fish moved the adjournment of tho House to refer to the action of the Government in regard to tho Ots.go Central Kailway, and a long debate ensued, tho discussion eventually drifting to a question of the employment of labour on the co-operative system for painting: the Wellington police station ami the Supremo Court buildings. THE FINANCIAL DEBATE. Mr. Dutiiik resumed the debate on tho Financial Statement. He said it was impossible to understand the condition of tho colony, and no assistance was given to members, in tho Statement to enable them to master the accounts. The surplus had been over-stated, and an exaggerated account had been sent to England, there being already an attempt to deceivo the London market. The Government also claimed to be a non-borrowing and selfreliant Ministry, but that was one of those fairy tales which the present occupants of the Treasury benches wero in tho habit of telling, for the purpose of misleading the country. The fact was, they were spending a huge amount of borrowed money, and were largely increasing the public debt. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30.

Mr. Di'TUiK continued his remarks. He ' condemned the co-operative system of labour, and said it was the height of folly tor the Government to continue their present rate of expenditure. He did not, however, agree with those who urged there should be a reduction of taxation on the necessaries of life. The so-called land settlement was a sham, anil he questioned whether -3 per cent, of the original selectors became bona fide settlers on the land. He also referred at great length to several other matters in connection with the Government policy, his criticism being generally of an adverse character.

Sir Robert Stoct said that in the course of the debate reference had been made to the past, and he was proud of it. It had been sneeringly said that when a Liberal Government was in office its finances were always weak, but he repudiated that assertion. He defended the administration of the Urey Government, of which ho was a member, and said no Government hvd ever been in otlice that was more Having in the ordinary departmental expenditure than that Government. Notwithstanding tho tremendous drop in the land fund in 1879 the deficit of the Grey Government was actually only £81,000. He admitted that owing to »he land fund the Atkinson Ministry that succeeded them wero placed in great difficulty, but be blamed that Government for overstating the liabilities left by tho Grey Government. Sir Robert showed the position of the finances of the Stout- Vogel and Atkinson Governments, reminding the House that in ISSS taxation was imposed by the Atkinson Ministry to the extent of nearly £300,000, and 3J millions of money were borrowed, although they posed as a nonborrowing Government. Coming to the present Financial Statement, he disagreed with the exemption of improvements, as it was the duty of tho Ministry to make their finance as strong as possible, and they could not afford to make these exemptions. Members of the Opposition appeared to be very forgetful on this point, for only three of that party voted last year against the exemption of improvement*. He also opposed the increase in the graduated tax, although he believed in the principle of progressive taxation if it were nob made penal. He denied that farmers were being treated more severely than other people under this new form of taxation. They should now begin to have a sinking fund, and they could do so by constructing remunerative public works. Sneers had been cast at the Government with regard to the increase of the public debt, but as a matter of fact they had paid £200,000 off our public debt, and had paid £230,000 into the public works fund from consolidated revenue, which practically mean that £430,000 had been paid off in two years. Referring to the necessity of strengthening local finance, he considered the time had come whan a million acres of land should bo set apart as a permanent endowment for hospital and charitable aid, the land to be held on real perpetual lease, with no right of purchase whatever. lie believed the Government should have the entire control of the railways, and submitted that fifteen to twenty millions worth of property should nob be handed over to irresponsible men. The present system of management had utterly failed, and fie contended tho railways could not be properly managed without political control. After a passing reference to the Cheviot purchase he went on to explain and defend the term " New Liberalism," which they had heard ho often. New Liberalism did nothing to interfere with the self-reliance of the people, and on this account he supported the co-operative principle, as it taught self-reliance. There were two things tho State would have to face in the future, viz., to preserve tho good name of their statesmen, and pay them properly for their work. If they kept their finance strong and went on moderately with their public works, if they kept up the efficiency of the Civil Service, and made it a credit to the colony, he believed there was a great future before the colony. Captain Russia.!, congratulated Sir R. Stout on his speech, i*nd also complimented the House on Mr. Montgomery's accession to a scat in tho Cabinet. That hon. gentleman, ho felt sure, would strengthen the Government. Ho was Horry he could not compliment Mr. Ward on tho Financial Statement; for there was very little finance in it at all. He defended the Railway Commissioners, and advanced several arguments in support of the present system of management, holding that if the Minister of Public Works had a seat on tho Board, continuity Of management would be destroyed, to tho detriment of the service. Tho profits on the railways had enormously increased since tho Commissioners took office, and he failed to see why control should bo taken out of their hands. He disapproved of tho proposal to remove taxation from improvements, as ib would relieve those who could well afford to pay, and at great length he showed how his conclusions on this point wero arrived at, and also expained his views on taxation generally. He did not object to reasonable taxation, but what was objectionable was the uncertainty as to what might happen owing probably to tho ill-temper of particular Ministers. In comparing the condition of the two classes, he said what the countryman objected to was that an undue amount of taxation was being placed on him, in order to relieve the man in town. Mr. MkbkDITH, while agreeing with the Statement on the whole, regretted it did nob make more, detailed reference to questions

of social reform and woman suffrage. He warmly complimented the Government on the Cheviot purchase, and having an intimato acquaintance with that property he could say tho colony, had secured a great bargain. Mr. Allen* moved the adjournment of the debate, which was agreed to.

The House roso at 1.20 a.m.