HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXX, Issue 3826, 23 August 1899, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 22. « Tlio Speaker took the oiiair at 2.30 p.in. ■ • - THE FINANCIAL DEBATE. ’ Tho debate on the Budget was resumed at 3 p.m. by Mr TANNER (Avon). The House, ho said, ought to insist that if ''any further borrowing took place the money .should bo devoted to the purpose lor which it was borrowed. The impression he got from the Budget was that tho Government was cautiously feeling its way to a larger borrowing policy, which intention might be largely aided by the buoyancy of the revenue during the last few years. While he had no rigid objection to borrowing small sums occasionally, he was opposed to any resumption of the policy which was ooui nienccd in 1370, and which nearly landed the colony in disaster. He opposed the proposal to reduce the interest on advances to settlers, seeing that the money raised to start the department had not been fully paid back, and that that money was not raised at par. He favoured a reduction of the Customs tariff, but’ thought that nothing should bo done in that direction until it had been decided whether more money was to bo borrowed, and whether, consequently, more money would have to he paid for the payment of interest. On the subject of ho said it • would bo a mistake on the part of tho Government to allow the House to

separate without, giving some expression of opinion, which might form guidance for tho people, who were undoubtedly looking to this Parliament for such an expression of opinion. Mr SLIGO (Dunedin City) condemned the practice of the Treasurer m overestimating the expenditure and underestimating the revenue, which materially affected the position of the public accounts at tho end of the year. So far as borrowing for railway construetion was concerned, he felt strongly that a stop should be put to money being diverted from the purpose for witch it was secured. It was deplorable that money should bo _ so dealt with, and ho would be_ willing to 30m with members in insisting that any money borrowed should be specifically scheduled, and. if necessary vested in trustee s . The North Is’and Main Trunk line should ho completed, but he feared 1 hat it would not prove a financial success. It was indispensable to the people of Otago that the Otago Central line should be pressed on with vigour. The members interested in that line would, insist on something being done . tp remedy a deplorable stpte of affairs. He would not oppose the proposed reid duction in interest payable by settlers having advances under the Advances to Settlers Act, hut ho could not countenance tho suggestion that a rebate should he given to Crown tenants. Ho regarded tho old age pensions scheme ns a beneficent one. which, so long as it could he afforded, should be continued. There was no : justification,

howevcf, for overlooking tho fact that it involved a largo expenditure. In a brief reference to marine affairs the speaker said it would bo to the interest of the colony if all power and patronage were taken away from the Government and vested in independent boards. . , , , Mr JOYCE (Lyttelton) looked upon ie Budget as an exceedingly satisfactory one. Ho saw- no reason to lament the increase in the public debt which had been incurred by carrying on public works. It should, however, be the aim of all colonists to sweep away tho ; .lony’s debt. Mr Joyce disagrcca with the proposal to reduce tho rents of Crown tenants. If tho Government had more money than could be employee-, a. commencement 'should bo made in the reduction ot Customs duties. Referring to the federal movement, Mr Joyce said that if New Zealand entered tho Commonwealth it would bo only a few years when this colony would be placed' in a most unfortunate position. Eventually her railways, education system, post office, Customs and judiciary w ould pass away to federal control. Mr CROWTHER (Auckland City) fn.lt very pleased that thorn was so much unanimity among members as to tho necessity for completing tho North Island Main Trunk line of railway. After the very pronounced expressions of opinion that nau been heard there would be no doubt in the minds .of' Auckland people as to which, route they would support. Referring to tho position of depositors ,’n tho Post Office Savings Bank, Mr Cr nvthcr saua it was high lime that an effort was made to allow' them 3.] per cent. .i----tercst. He urged members to hesitate before agreeing to fresh loans. The result would be still further to increase taxation. The speaker went on to advocate a policy of freehold tenure in land, and said he thought that Crown tenants should, be given every facility to.convert the tenure under winch they held their holdings. . Major STEWARD (Waitaki) congratulated the. Government on the success <-f tho Land for Settlements Act. Every resident in the South Island knew that that policy had been in. tho best interests of the people and the colony. The settlers wore to be seen—their work was apparent—and it was vain for some members to seek to question tho wisdom. of the policy. The purchase of the, Waikakahi estate had been one of me wisest, steps taken by the Government, as no bower estate could have been secured for purposes pf closer settlement. There were many difficulties in tho w r ay of laying down a hard and fast tenure, but he was coming round' to tne belief that the" Dost tenure was the perpetual lease with revaluation. He congratulated the Treasurer on the year’s surplus, advocated the completion of the trunk railway, linos in both islands, favoured-, a bold and comprehensive public works policy and felicitated the Minister for Railways on his achievement.

Mr hONE HERE (Northern Maori) devoted the greater part of his speech to a discussion of the recent native rising at nokianga. He explained his absence from Parliamentary duties in connection therewith. As the result of his efforts a pacific settlement "of what might have ueen a very serious, condition, of affairs was brought about. Passing on to refer to the Budget, Mr Hoke brought under Die notice of the Government the requirements ot the localities situated north oi Auckland. xhosc districts, winch exported enormous quantities of kauri limner and gum, hau been persistently neglected by successive Governments.' If uiore was to be tin expenditure of loan money tiio Hefcnsvilie line should receive attention, and also the extension of the Whangaroi line. He recognised, nowever, that the Main trunk .me to Auckland l deserved hist consideration. It reasonable expenditure were made on mads, .north- ot - Auckland - a. grcai/hoon would he afforded tnc settlers mi that isolated district.: Mr MEREDITH (Ashley) advocated tiro completion of the North island main trunk into and the Utago vmntral runway. Reiornng to the Bank or New Eoafaud, he expressed'gratification'.at the satisfactory position or the institution, as exhibited in tiip hast bal-ance-sheet. Dealing wita tnc question ot federation, as it aacets Neiy. Zealand, he'announced that ho was in favour or tedcrauon with the neighbouring' colonics. He tnougnt it wouid no a g.-od tning for Now zmaliuid. tit the same time he was not prepared to iceummcnu nasto; they shou.u move cautiously, hut. sureiy. net. them nave mo lines denned, and carolully sco how federation wotud aitect- them. Public opinion in New Zealand was not yet sufficiently educated to justiry them in taking dennite action. at was pleased to notice mat tno cmambers or Bommeree naci taken up the qxlestion, and'that organisations uuu been established m the large centres, particularly ackiand and Gniistcnurcii, with a view to considering the question. By means of tnose organisations and by means or 'the educational influence chat statesmen and the press would have during the recess, by next session the time would nave arrived ■ to take dohnite action on the question.. . At la.h a.m. the debate was adjourned on tne motion ot Mr Kelly (Invercargill), and the House rose.