NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8287, 16 September 1903, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT

YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

The Council met at 2.30 p.m. The adjourned debate on the motion for the second reading of the State Fire Insurance Bill was resumed by Mr Bolt, who iupported the measure, but thought it questionable whether the companies would reinsure. The proposed division of profits would be looked upon as a cutting of rates. The State could carry on the business more economically than the companies could. Mr T. Kelly believed that State fire insurance would prove successful. Mr Baldey said that the Bill would do something toward abolishing rings and combines, and would be generally welcomed, certainlv bv farmers. Mr Reeves said tiiat insurance premiums had been reduced considerably during the last ten years, but he intended to support th» Bill. , , , , , , Mr Beehait contended that the people naa a ri"ht to demand State protection from the iniquitv of a combination. He believed that"the Government would be able to reduce the rate and arrange for reinsurance. Mr Pinkerton and Mr Jones supported the Bill. The latter thought that reinsurance might be dispensed with by the adoption of a self-contained policy. Mr Stevens pointed out that those who spoke of the large profits of companies ignored their profitable marine business, which was included in the fire insurance totals quoted. Fire insurance was the most hazardous and dangerous business that the State could enter into. Mr Carncross said that he had previously opposed the Bill, but. a combination had forced the hand of the Government, and he felt bound now to approve of the measure, the necessity for which he regretted. As for the reinsurance difficulty, he felt sure that the Government must have considered this, and had some plan to overcome it. The Attorney-General, in reply, said that fire insurance by the State was no more an interference with private concerns than were advances to settlers, the Public Trust Office, and life insurance. -

In answer to Mr Wigram. the AttorneyGeneral said that it was toe intention of the Government to place the Bill, in the Statute Book, and bring it into full operation, he hoped, not later'than the 31st March _jt-xt. The Bill might require some amendment in Committee, but he hoped it would emerge in a satisfactory manner and become the law for the benefit of the community. The second reading was carried by 22 votes to 8 votes. The following is the division list:

Ayes.—Baldey, Beehan, Bolt, Cadman, Carncross, Feldwick, Fraser, Harris, Holmes, Jones, T. Kelly, W./ Kelly, Pinkerton, Pitt, Reeves. RigSK A. Smith, Thompson, Tomoana, Trask, Twomey, Wigram.

Noes. —Baillie, George, Johnston, Louisson. Miller, Scotland. Stevens, L. Walker. The Bill was set down for committal tomorrow, and the Council adjourned.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The JJouse met at 2.30 p.m. The Hon. Mr Hall-Jones gave ncttice to introduce the Water Power Bill and the Public Works Act Amendment Bill. The Central Assembly Library Bill and the Tapanui Reserve Bill were introduced and read a first time.

'The Premier gave notice to move that for the remainder of the session the House meet at 7.50 p.m. on Mondays, and that in future- the supper adjournment be taken at 9.30 p.m. instead -of 10 p.m. Mr Fowlds brought np the report of the Public Petitions Committee on the petition of Thomas Scott and others, of Dunedin, who asked that assistance stiould be granted to the Dunedin Free Kindergarten Association by subsidy or by annual grant. The re-port- was as follows :—Tiiat the Committee. imving heard the evidence regarding the kindergarten work being done in Dunedin. are of opinion that it is of great value to the State, and would recommend to the favorable consideration of the Government the question of granting a subsidy to work of this kind throughout the colony. After a short discussion, in which several members urged tha Government to give . fleet to the recommendation" of the Committee, the report was ordered to lie on the table.

The Premier said that Ministers did not propose to answer the question; on the Order Paper that- afternoon. He pointed to the r'.'.liiig of Sir Maurice O'Rorke, who had laid it- down tliat the Government could not be compelled to answer questions on any particular day. Mr Taylor moved the adjournment of the House by way of protest. After a lengthy disenssion, the motion was lost on the voices.

The Premier moved that this House extends cordial congratulations to Tasmania on the centennial anniversary of the settlement of that. State, and wishes its people continued and increased prosperity. This was seconded by Mr Massey, and agreed to on the voices.

At 5 p.m. the House went into Committee or Supply for further consideration of the Estimates. The first class taken was t'n.it of the Customs Department. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. The Trade Monopolies Prevention Bill was introduced by Governor's Message and :vad a first time.

Consideration of tlie Customs Department Kiitimaies was resumed in Committee of Supply.

Mr Taylor wanted to know wliy the work of analysis, for which £4OO was cliarged, e..-.iki not be done by the regular officers of the Department.

Mr -Jr.mes Allen urged that the n-jvfh I..n't rihoui.i establish a good laboratory in each centre to do the work of the various Departments, and that they should also encourage the carrying on of original work. Mr Fowlds entered a protest against the pettifogging and irritating distinctions made in classifying certain goods by the expert, which resulted in some instances in increased revenue and increased duties, though there had been no actual change in the tariff.

Several other members spoke in similar

terms. Mr Tar-or urged that a liberal interpretation should bo made in the case of minor articles required by manufacturers, especially \ u tj It . i ;o ot trade, which .should be assisted ti> keep the foreign article out. 'Lae Hon. Mr Mills said the points raised dunmr the discussion would be duly consic 1 .-red by the Cabinet. Mr Tanner moved that- the item "Customs expert. £890," be reduced by £SO, as .in indication that- the spirit of the tariff reduction of 1395 had besn lost sight of, and that- the tariff was no-.v becoming the spurt of the Customs expert. I he Hon. Mr Mills 6aid tliat the officer in question had saved the revenue thousands and thousands of pounds beyond his salary, and had done his duty well. Mr lanner's motion was lost by 29 votes to 22 vow--,. Mr Taylor moved that the item "local chemical anylysis. £4OO be struck out. He iii.kct'-d to the woi>k of tlie various departments being parcelled out in this fashion, and urged that it. was in items of this kind that economy should be effected. ■Several members objected to the employment by the department of spies for the det. ction of smuggling, etc. Mr Taylor's motion was lost on the voices. Mr Taylor moved to reduce by £1 the item £4o*o for rewards, etc., for prevention of smuggling, illicit distillation, and opium importation. This was lost by 41 votes to 11 votes. On miscellaneous services being reached, Mr Eil moved the excision of tlie item "refund of duty on machinery for Calliope dock. Auckland. £676." He objected to tht- Auckland Harbor Board receiving different treatment to that accorded to the municipalities of Dunedin, Christchurch, and Wellington. Mr James Allen eought information as to the position in regard to the Customs duties in the Cook Islands. Tlie whole position, of tlie accounts in these islands was unsatisfactory. Tlie Hon. Mr Mills denied that the position in regard to this group was unsatisfactory. Mr Ell's motion was lost by 44' votes to 12 votes. Mr Willis moved to reduce the item "refund of duty on hat-making machinery, £484," by £l, as an indication that preference should cot be shown to any particular industry on which, duty, should be levied. He .asked..what particular influence had been brought to bear on the Government to assist this particular industrv. The Premier eaid tliat if members knew the whole circumstances tTicy would com- | mend the Government.for having irjde an exception in .this case. AgpLicaticas for |

similar treatment from other industries would receive tbe careful consideration of this Government.

Mr Willis' motion .was lost by 37 votes to 14 votes, and the whole vote -for the Customs Department was agreed to unaltered. The next class was that of the Marine and Harbors and Inspection of Machinery Departments. Replying to various questions, the Hon. W. Hall-Jones said that the information derived from the trawling experiments had not been utilised by fishermen as it should have been. He was bringing down a Bill which would give the Government greater powers in regard to fisheries than it at present possessed. Mr Laurenson congratulated Ministers upon the manner in which the Inspection of Machinery Department was managed. At "Miscellaneous Services," Mr Laurenson urged the erection of a lighthouse at the Chatham Islands.

- Mr Tanner and Mr Hogg asked for particulars of the item "Moiety of cost of resurvey of coast by H.M.S. Penguin-, £5438.'' The Hon. Mr Hall-Jones said that he would look into the question of a light at the Chatham Islands. Those parts of the coast, which had most traffic and on which errors had been discovered were being resurveyed. The sum on the Estimates was not the total outlay, as the Imperial Government were paying a similar amount. The work might go on for two or three years, and the item on the Estimate was only the first instalment of the cost. Mr Wilford moved a reduction of the item by £IOO, as an indication that the House does not approve of the colony entering into a contract the cost of which the Minister himself did not know. . Lost- on the voice#. The total vote for the clause passed unaltered.

At the vote for the Printing and Stationery Department, the Hon. W. Hall-Jones, in replv to Mr Willis, said that he recognised 1 hat the time had arrived when type-setting machinery should be introduced into the Government Printing Office, and a vote would appear on the Supplementary Estimates for both linotypes and monolines as a start. -

Mr Massey : thought that a good deal of the work that was done by hand in that office should be performed by machinery. The total vote was agreed to unaltered. The vote for the Stamps and Deeds Department- passed' unaltered after a brief, discussion. At 1.5 a.m. the House entered on consideration of the Education Department's estimates.

Mr Massey protested against the House being asked" to consider such an important Department afc such a late hour. Several members urged that the question of school reserves should be looked into.' Many• thousands of-pounds might be derived from them if they were utilised in a proper manner. The Premier promised to have enquiries made in the matter. 'He thought the Land Boards would be better able to administer these reserves.

Mr Massey asked if additional funds would be provided for building purposes. The Premier said that there would be a liberal grant for the purpose on the Public Works Estimates. He recognised the necessity for making provision for the erection of school buildings. The discussion was proceeding when the Telegraph Office closed at 2 a.m. After the Telegraph Office closed this morning, the Education Department Estimates were further considered. Mr Buchanan said the salaries of junior teachers were not sufficient- to secure a supply of teachers. Mr Jas. Allen agreed with Jiis view and said the insufficiency of salaries was most marked in the case of second assistants. The heart was taken out of them by gross injustice done them, and he hoped the Premier would effect an improvement. Mr Seddon said the classification scheme had scarcely got. to work properly and defects could only lie found in the working. He certainly wished to see teachers well paid. Further enquiries would be made into the matter and he suggested it might be referred to an Education Committee. Mr Massey drew attention to the item, "£650 for allowance to two fifth standard pupiis from each education district "to enable them to continue to attend public schools and qualify for /national sclioliirships.'' He urged that the proportion would be unjust to those districts where the average attendance was very large. Mr Seddon said he would prefer to increase the number of scholarships rather than give each district less tlian two scholarships. This was simply a commencement and if the number was increased it would be provided for on the Supplementary Estimates. His'intention was to increase the number. The total vote was pas6ed unaltered and progress was reported. The House rose at 3a.m.