PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10519, 29 July 1910, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

(Per Peess Association.) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, July 28. The House met at 2.30. —A Drainage Bill.— A Bill providing for the drainage of certain lauds in the Whakatane district was brought down by Governor's message. •

Replying to Mr Massey, Sir Joseph Ward explained that the Bill provides for the acquisition of certain lands, with a view to carrying on. the drainage system which had hitherto been in tne hands of the local authority, which now found itself unable to carry but its financial obligations. The Government intended to acquire the land as drained for further settlement and recoup itself for the cost of the scheme. Mr Taylor expressed suspicion of the Bill, and contended that the cost of s.uch a work should be borne by those the value of whose property would be enhanced thereby. Mr M'Donald explained that the Whakatane settlers had spent a considerable amount in the endeavor to drain the swamp, but had been unable to repay the loan raised for the purpose. The land was rich and suitable fbr subdivision into dairy farms.. and the Government would be % conferring a benefit on the district by undertaking flie work of drainage.

Mr Herries approved of the Government's proposals, and said the land affected by the Bill was not being held for speculative purposes. Mr Massey also considered the work authorised by the' Bill one for the Government to undertake.

Sir Joseph Ward said the scheme was very much the same as that carried cut on the Hauraki Plains. A number of t settlers were on the verge of ruin, and the Government proposed to get tbem out of their difficulties. The Bill was read a first time. —Canadian Postal Service. —

The Premier laid on the table a copy cf the tender called for by Canada for the postal service commencing from the exoirv of tiie existing service in July, 1911."

■ Replying to Mr Massey, Sir Joseph Ward indicated that in the event of the tender not including New Zealand tiie Dominion would have to go for a service of her own. He hoped New Zealand would be included in the eontract entered into by Canada. • He

thought in any ease it was probable the Dominion would have to arrange lor a service on its own account. Mr Massoy asked whether a connecting'steamer'at Suva cculd be arranged for in the event of New Zealand not being included in the Canadian service!" Re thought the House should lie given an opportunity of considering the whole question this session. Sir Joseph NYard said in the event of having a steamship service of our own the'steamers should touch at the different ports. Auckland being the first and last port of call. The service would be worth more to the country than -the extra cost involved. Before the Government came to a decision m the matter the proposals would be laid before the House for discussion, and tenders laid on the table ' that were called for by Canada. On her own account New' Zealand could do nothing until a tender was accepted. ---No-Confidence. — The debate on the no-conlideiice motion was resumed. Mr Scott said lie spoke as the representative of the man en the land. He upheld the freehold as the tenure best suited to tin' British race. The limitation of a.rc. might, be based on the money value of the land. Closer settlement was an all-important question, and the Government had neglected it. Men taking up sections should lie bound.to improve them in lhe first two years without paying rent until the propert v reached a productive stage. Xlr Pearce argued that the freehold tenure made lor the happiness of the greatest, number and the largest amount of close settlement. He urged that idle bush lauds in the North Island should lie opened up for settlement. He had no confidence in the Government's native land policy, the inactivity of which was shown by (he fact that no provision was made for the purchase of native binds. Mr Wright said he was between the devil and "the deep blue sea. He defired to place on record his reasons for voting for the amendment. He iiad ph'dged house!!' to vote against the Government on a. no-eonlidence motion, and also to oppose the sale of further C'.r:i\vii land 1 -. Had. the Government been a leasehold one, he would have had no option but to vote against the amendment. He considered l!>o:o miiiht be a change in the Government for the reason that the uroscui ad'niinistvation and us predecessors had been too long in power. Vi hen a Government had no ;:olioy it ought to resign office instead if shilling its ground from point to point in order to maintain it to suit the exigencies ei tne dav. He condemned the practice ~, Ministers travelling about the country at considerable expense instead of look- ' ing after their proper vroik.

The House re«r at o.3<'"'. The House reninicd at 7.H0. The debate was it sinned liy -Jr M'Donald, who defended the Government's native land ami public works policies. Largo blocks of native lands were being opened up in the various parts o! : the North Island, Money had been borrowed ior the construction of the necessary muds and bridges. He considered the co-operative system of raihvav construction ivorki d very satisfnctorilv. mid was an improvement on the contract system. The native townships were a "standing proof of what had been done. On the amendment being put, u was reier-ted In- 41 votes to 31. The following is the division list:— ■Wainst the amendment: Arnold, I)ro»-ii, Buxton. Buddo. Carroll, Clark, Colvin, Craig. Davey, T. Duncan, 1:U, !'"orhes. Fowlds. Glover, Graham, Groeiislad-\ Hall, -Hauan. Hogg, Laureuson. La wry. M'Donald, L. "M'Konxio. Millar. Myers. i\gata. ! arata Poland. Poole. Paugihiroa. ileed, Sedlon. Smith. Stallworthy. Steward. Tavlor (Tuames), Taylor ("Christchurc-h), Ward. Witty. V.iv the amendment: Alien. Ander-

son, Hollar:!. .Buchanan, P.uiek, Dillon Dive. J. Duncan, Field. Fisher. Fraser

Guthrie. Hard v. Hordman, Herries, Hi no', Jennings', Lang, Malcolm. Mander. M.assov. Xosworthy, Okey, Pearco, Phillins, P. hides. Ross, Scott. Thomson (Dunedin), Thomson (Wallace;, Wright. On th~ motion to go into oupph being put— Mr Thomson (Diinedin) continued the debate on the Financial Statement. What the Dominion should aim at was the settlement of the country by the greatest number of freeholders. P.otorring to defence matters, lie pointed out that Sir J. Ward's views thereon had undergone a remarkable change m two roars'.' The Premier had in a speech formerly spoken against conipulsorv training. " Great care would have to he taken to see that the latest defence scheme did not fail of its object.: He"thought more should be done, to further the work of afforestation. He suggested, the appointment of a trained forester to control the work. Mr Reed attacked the Opposition claim that lessees occupying settlement lands should be Siivon the right to purchase at the original, value, phis one per cent., which would be unjust. Mr Marnier contended that the progress of the Dominion was being retarded owing to the Government's attiI ttulu on tlie land question. Many of their best men were leaving the oountrv owing to their dissatisfaction with the laiuMaws. The Government had no definite land poliev. and was desirous of pleasing both parties in the House. He considered the natives ought to bear a larger share of rates than at present. The debate was adjourned. The House rose at 11.10. . I