PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12929, 27 July 1905, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

[BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS association.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. , Wednesday. The Council met at half-past two p.m. SECOND READING. The Otago Harbour Board Empowering Bill (Mr. Gourley) was read a second time without debate. BILLS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE. The Egmont National Part Bill and the Road Boards Act Amendment Bill were reported from committee without amendment. The latter Bill was read a third time and passed. OLD AGE PENSIONS BILL. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the second reading of the Old Age Pensions Bill. He explained the provisions of the measure, and combated the views of those who would make the system universal. Any attempt of that kind would, he held, tend to overload the system and break it down. As to the contention that the. present amount of pension is sufficient, he pointed out that during the last few years the cost of living had materially increased. Mr. TRASK had much pleasure in supporting the Bill, which was a. very commendable measure. He expressed approval of the provision under which magistrates might hear applications in chambers. He suggested, in regard to pensioners in charitable aid board homes, that 3s a week of the 10s should be handed back to the pensioners. At present pensioners in homes were only allowed Is a week by the boards, who took their pensions. Mr. T. KELLY, while supporting the measure, thought there were indications that v further increases would be demanded every three years. • Mr. CARNCROSS supported the Bill. With regard to the amount of the old age pensions paid on the West Coast, there were a larger number .of old men and women there in proportion to the population than in other parts of the colony, and he did not know a. class of men who deserved consideration so much as the old diggers of the West Coast. Mr. MARSHALL supported the Bill, and spoke strongly of the deserts of the old miners on the West Coast. He described the measure as one of the grandest masterpieces that was ever introduced." Mr. HOLMES also supported the Bill. _ Mr. LOUISSON considered the proposed increase a proper one, • and it came at an appropriate time, Mr..McLEAN said the increased expenditure involved in the Bill was very large, and it might be found later on that 'it could not be maintained. He would like to have seen a general contributory scheme running side by side/ with the old age pensions. While he supported the second reading, he thought it would have been better had the question first been submitted to the constituencies. Mr. F. H." FRASER regretted that some fund was not provided for to ensure the permanence of the pensions. Messrs. Baldey, Gourley, Jones/Feldwick, Pinkerton, and Reeves spoke briefly in support of the Bill. ' -■■ ' The ATTORNEY-GENERAL having replied, the second reading was agreed to on the voices. TARANAKI SCHOLARSHIPS BILL. The Taranaki Scholarships Bill was committed and reported with amendments. The Council rose at five p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday. The House met at half-past two p.m.

QUESTIONS

In reply to questions Ministers stated

That the Bill that is to be introduced dealing with teachers' salaries , includes a

clause which will guard against any fall in

salary until the education board ,has had reasonable time to allow of the transfer of jJw- Uaokor. -— alternative ' "reinedv,

namely, that teachers of certain grades should receive corresponding fixed salaries, and be appointed to schools of corresponding grades, although comparatively easy to ■ work in a centralised system, such as that of Victoria or other ' Australian States, would in New Zealand impose such restrictions on the appointing powers of boards that Mr. Seddon thinks it highly undesirable to introduce it here. Mr. Seddon believes that the remedy in the Bill will meet all, or nearly all, cases of hardship. That it is not the intention of the De- . fence Department to raise the present capitation allowance for cadets. • That the colony has very few unemployed, and all reasonable effort is being made to provide for them during the remainder of the winter: That it is not the intention of the Government to introduce a' Fair Rent Rill this session. That there is a Bill now before the House under which, if members feel so inclined, an opportunity will be given them to express an opinion upon the.question of continuing the use of the totalisator or otherwise, and by a recent ruling of the Speaker, any member may introduce a BiTT reducing revenue and taxation. Therefore, it is not iu this case the sole right of the Government to move in the matter. . That it is not the present intention of the Government, to plaice a tax on amusements,, or specially ear-mark any revenue for the Old Age Pension Fund, That to reduce hours of enginemen, firemen, and guards, to 48 hours per week, would involve the Railway Department in an additional expenditure of at least£l4,ooo per annum. That satisfactory contracts have, been entered into for the carriage of coal from the State coal mines to different parts of the colony, and hi the present stage of development it is not considered advisable that the Government should purchase steamers for the purpose of carrying the coal. That in respect of existing mortgages the Advances to Settlers Department does Dotinsist upon the transfer of fire insurance from the companies to the State fire office. It is optional with mortgagors to remain with the company formerly covering the risk, or, if they desire a, change, to transfer to the State fire office. When new loans are granted it is required that the insurance be effected with the State office in the superintendent's official name as mortgagee. A lengthy discussion took place on the replies Ministers had given to questions. In the course of the debate Mr. Seddon said that in a very little time depots would be established for the sale of coal from the State mines, and the working man who wanted his hundredweight of coal would be able to get it. If it came to that, the Government would have their own delivery of coal. The House rose at half-past five p.m. The House resumed at half-past seven. ' - BILLS PASSED. ■ The Mutual Fire Insurance Act Amendment Bill (Mr. Kirkbride), the Motor Registration Bill (Mr. Lewis), and the Public Works Amendment Bill (Mr. Millar), were put through their final .stages. ELECTIVE EXECUTIVE BILL. Sir W. J. STEWARD moved the second , reading of the Elective Executive Bill, and. spoke at length in support of the elective Executive system as compared with the existing plan of appointing the members of the Cabinet. He had introduced a Bill on similar lines since 1894. and it had always received a large measure of support from members, but it had always been opposed by Ministers; and by the occupants of the front Opposition benches. He believed that the Bill had the support of the country, and if it were referred to a referendum, *he was satisfied that it would be carried by a very large majority. Mr. FOWLDS urged that the elective system would put an end to the present passage of measures that were conscientiously supported by only a small majo- . rity of the House.

Sir JOSEPH WARD, in opposing the Bill, said the system proposed would seriously impair the progress of the colony, It would also place Ministers in a helpless _ and irresponsible positiou. The rejection of the Bill every time it was introduced showed that public opinion was opposed to -the elective system, " ~ : ' -

Mr. J. C. THOMSON supported the Bill, and condemned the party system. ■ Mr. Jas. ALLEN, in opposing the Bill, said that under it all that was good in the party system would be done away with. < Mr. BEDFORD contended that the present Ministry was quite sufficient argument in favour of the elective Executive.

Mr. McGOWAN thought it was much better that a Ministry should exist on principles than on personal considerations. Messrs. Fisher, Moss, Laurenson, Reid, and Ell. supported the Bill. Messrs. T. Mackenzie, Han an, and Willis opposed the Bill. Mr. TAYLOR, in supporting- the Bill, said the present condition of things, so far as the constitution of the Cabinet was concerned, was an absolute disgrace to the colony a.nd to Parliament, and there was a feeling throughout the country that the present Cabinet did not represent the intelligence and strength of the Liberal party in the House. (Left sitting.) ;