PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14210, 5 November 1909, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

PRIVATE MEMBERS' BILLS.

A WASTED NIGHT.

[by telegraph.—special correspondent.]

Wellington, Friday morning. The House has devoted a fairly long sitting to a number of local Bills and two or three private members' Bills, the principal of the latter being Sir William Steward's Elective Executive Bill, which was discussed at considerable length, with the result that the second reading was lost by 35 votes to 24. Speeches against the Bill were delivered by both Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition, while good speeches in support, of the measure were made by the mover and Mr. T. E. Taylor. For a generation past Sir William Steward has persistently brought forward this Bill, only to meet with reverse after reverse, his only success being the carrying of the second reading, on one occasion by the casting vote of the Speaker. The House adjourned at 12.40, after what can best be described as a wasted night.

AN ELECTIVE EXECUTIVE. A REJECTED BILL. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Thursday. In the House of Representatives this evening Sir William Steward moved the second reading of the Elective Executive Bill. He referred to the reports of the various committees on the Bill when it was previously introduced, which were favourable to the principle of the Bill. Sir Joseph Ward, in opposing the,Bill, said the proposal was impossible, as it would bring the Government to a standstill. If an executive were elected of members whose principles were diametrically opposed to each other what would be the position? Constant bickering would result and each member of the executive would be responsible to Parliament alone and be able to do what he thought proper, which would lead to a state of stagnation in the government of the country and a decadence of administration. Mr. Taylor said the Prime Minister was entirely wrong in supposing that Parliament would elect members from both sides of the House to act as an executive. The dominant party would necessarily elect the administration, though it might happen that one member of the Cabinet might be chosen from the Opposition. The present Government was absolutely destitute of any ! policy, and the state of affairs in regard to, future legislation could not be worse if a mixed elective executive were in power. 1 'Mr. Massey said he was certain the Bill would not have the desired effect in practice, though he had in the past approved of its" principle. The present Cabinet was a most incongruous one, and it was impossible for* men holding widely different views to propound a policy. Messrs. Wright, Poole, Baume, and Russell supported the Bill, and Sir »Win/ Steward replied. .-,-■_...«.:' - -' '- ,On -a division the second reading was lost by 35. votes to 24. • •

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.

•* LINCOLN, COLLEGE. -Mr.. Craigie moved the second reading of the Canterbury Agricultural College Amendment Bill, briefly explaining the object of, the measure, .which is to pro- . vide ; , greater representation of South Canterbury on the board of governors of the Canterbury Agricultural College. The Hon. G. Fowlds objected to the Bill, as it attempted, to . deal with the matter in a piecemeal fashion. He suggested that the Bill stand over for fuller consideration during the recess, and, if necessary, he would bring in a Bill next session. He hoped New Zealand would never become so parochial as to prevent anyone %in New Zealand from attending the college. Mr. Bollard nifjjed making the college a Dominion institution and the establishment' of similar colleges throughout New Zealand. - The Prime Minister suggested that Mr. Craigie allow the Bill to be referred to the Education Committee. After Mr. Craigie's reply, the Bill was read a second time and referred to the Education Committee. - FOR BETTER OR WORSE. THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT. [BY TELEGBAFH. — CORRESPONDENT.] - ; Wellington, Thursday. The Post in referring to the question of transferring the seat of government from Wellington to Auckland remarks: "Inhabitants of Wellington who have visited the queen city will cordially agree with Mr. Glover ' that the people there are very hospitable, but that is not a good argument why the seat of government should be* shifted :to Auckland. Might not the tender legislators be 'killed by kindness?' It was rather a pity that some of the time of the session—altogether too short for the serious business on the Order Paper—should have been taken ( up with the discussion of an utterly impossible proposal, even if the majority of the legislators and prospective lawmakers yearned to spend their winters in the mild air of the North, with choice of many beauty spots for weekend jaunts and the gaseous waters of Eotorua easily accessible to reinvigorate the debating faculties. It is indisputable that the Government is solidly anchored in Wellington, if only because of 'the expensive public buildings,' in the Prime Minister's phrase, that have been erected here. Mr. Glover surely does not think that the Government of the day, or any day in the measurable future, will have a million pounds to throw away on an unnecessary building scheme purely for the sake of change and at' great inconvenience to practically all the people of New Zealand, except the residents of Auckland province. For better or worse, Wellington has been selected as the capital, and the capital it must remain, whether the people here or elsewhere .like it or not. When Auckland can develop, power to 'ap'port' northward the public buildings of Wellington without damaging them, it will be time enough to discuss proposals for a transfer of the seat of government." NOT REPRESENTATIVE. ; MR. BAUME ON THE CABINET. Speaking to-night on the Elective Executive Bill, Mr. Baume said: " Cabinet is not representative of either the intelligence or the personal choice of the members of the House," or of this side of the House. I am not referring to Cabinet only under its present leader. It would be impossnVc for the Prime Minister to say that the present Cabinet represents either the most intellectual or most capable or most popular men amongst the party." Mr. Baume said he knew that he might have reflections cast upon him of a personal character on account of these statements, but he was quite prepared to face anything of that kind. . - ,•- '~-•■; ••