MR H. G. ELL

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8481, 16 July 1913, Page 8

MR H. G. ELL

"THE USUAL TIRADE- FROM STRATFORD. Mr H. G. Ell (Christchurch South) said that the criticism offered by the member for Stratford was the usual tirade which they had listened to from him every year he had been in Parliament. The settlers, however, knew very well the facts of the case, and knew that the late Minister of Public Works was sympathetic and hardworking. Why did the last speaker cloud'the issue when he spoko of public works? Why did he hide anything ? Mr Hine: I didn't hide anything. Mr Ell quoted from the Governor's Speech at the time of the accession of the Mackenzie Government which showed that the nursing scheme for backblocks was being carried on successfully. The then Minister of Public Health, Mr Russell, had been unsparing in his efforts in making the scheme extensive and successful. (Hear, hear.) Mr Ell said that not a member of the Mackenzie Cabinet was in favour of" a Public Service Board such as had been carried into effect by Mr Herdman, who was the father of the system. The Public Service Commission was not asked to say whether or not a board was required, but to find out whether there wero any weaknesses in the administration of the country's affairs as far as the public service was concerned. BANK OF NEW ZEALAND. He hoped that the question involving the new charter of the Bank of New Zealand would be dealt with, as with defence matters, on non-party lines —(hear, Bear) —and that the interests of the people of this country would be adequately protected, so that the bank would keep steady the financial position of the country, not only amongst other banks, but amongst the commercial and working communities. They had the shareholders asking them to increase the capital to £5,000,000, and he did not agree to this action. BANQUETS AND GARDEN PARTIES Proceeding, Mr Ell referred to the Ministers travelling about the country, remarking, "I do not think we have ever had a body of Ministers travelling about the country at the pace the present Cabinet have." He pointed out that ho had never been one to cavil at this, because he _ recognised that it was not possible to satisfactorily administer his department without travelling round the country. But, he asked, what was being experienced at the present timo? Ministers were travelling rouud, attending banquets, making political speeches, and holding garden parties in connection with the Women's Political Reform League. ABOUT BORROWING. The present Government had always said that borrowing must be stopped, Mr Ell continued, but every young country must borrow if it wants to foster its assets. A Government; member: Who said otherwise ? Mr Ell: You did whcu you wero on this side of the House.

Mr Ell said that tfie tirade of the present Government when in Opposition about stopping borrowing was almost nauseating. They had cried out about tho money that had been spent on the Dunedin railway station. That was not typical of the then Government’s policy; it was a singular incident, and at the same time new stations at Wellington, Christchurch, and Auckland had been kept back. THE LAND TAX. Tub" member for Hawke’s Say had said a great deal about the heavy taxes which were being nlacod on the poor farmer. He would just quote some figures relating to tho payment of tho land tax. Thoro wore 9134 farmers in the country who were paying less than £5 a year, so that showed that tho present system of taxation was not burdensome on the small farmer. He did not think that the mortgage tax should bo repealed, and he did not believe the present Government would repeal it. _ Mr T. M. Wilford (Hutt), smdmg: I believe they will, because they said they would. (Laughter.) Mr Ell: They said they would, yes. Mr Massey: Show us tho promise, and we will carry it out. Mr Ell: Tho Prime Minister was then talking in Opposition; now he is the leader of a party A Government member: A great party. PUBLIC SERVICE.

Mr Ell referred to the Public Service Board, and said that he opposed it and always would oppose it. He was of opinion, and it was his intention to move, for a return in tho matter. Now much work was being done for tho Public Service Commissioners by members of the Public Service and not on the Commissioners' staff. He thought that they should follow the example of the banks and mercantile houses, who sent inspectors round to see that things were right. What had the Government done? They had taken a man trained in the Postal Department to go round and inspect the Lands and Survey Department. He asked, .would it not bo better to take a man out of_ the department he was well versed in to do tlfe inspecting. He was of opinion that this, scheme would cost the country thousands of pounds, and all that would bo done was a system of inspect,Ug’ A CASE IN POINT.

Mr Ell said he had a complaint, and ho wanted the Prime Minister’s attention. There was a man whom he_ knew who had served fourteen years in the Public Works Department. Some time ago, a girder had fallen on one of his hands, and injured his fingers. Ho had applied fo the Government for work, but under the Commissioner system he was being most harshly treated. First he had received a postcard from the Commissioners; then ho had got a form to fill in, to which the Commissioners replied with a letter saying that ho had not filled in the form properly. Then he had got another letter saying that ho could not he appointed as'lie could not produce a fourth standard certificate. Did anybody hear anything so ridiculous ? The Prime Minister: What sort of work does he, want? Mr Ell: Any sort he can get. The man is quite willing to work. Mr Witty; You will bo fined £SO if you are not careful. Mr Ell: Anyhow, I’m going to put in a word for that man. even if I am fined. I _ Mr Ell said that the_ Public Service Commissioners were going to cost the country thousands and thousands of pounds and do no good whatever. Air Hine: What did you want a Commission for ? Air Ell said that the Commission was not for that. It was purely to suggest improvements to the work in the service. The matter of political patronage, said Air Ell, was a silly bogey. The present Postmaster-General had gone to him when he (Air Ell) was in office to try to get a girl into a telephone exchange in order that she could support her mother. He had further been asked by Sir Walter Buchanan, the member for Wairarapa. to get work for a widow with three or four children. Ho bad had much pleasure in getting her work, and to carry out the wish of the member, and quite rightly too. Opposition members: Hear, hear.