HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9797, 22 July 1893, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

FRIDAY, JULY 21. The House met at 2.30 p.m. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Fish, whether the Colonial Treasurer is aware that importers and others in importing machinery and plant for dairy factories, which are admitted free of duty, are in the habit of including in the same stationary engines, which are subject to a duty of 20 per cent., The Hon. J. G. WARD said he thought engines of this description should not be admitted free, as it was not the intention of the act, and be hoped to be able to make some amendment in the law in this direction. Replying to Mr Fish, The Hon. R. J. SEDDON said he had no information at all as to carpenters being sent from Wellington to Dunedin to execute work in connection with the alteration in electric machinery there. He hoped Mr Fish would make further inquiries in order that the Government might obtain information on it. He had made inquiry, but could hear nothing about the matter. INDUSTRIES COMMITTEE. The Hon. W. P. REEVES moved that a select committee be appointed to consider how the manufactures and industries of the colony may be encouraged, the committee to consist of Messrs Duncan, Lawry, Mitchelaon, O'Conorj Pinkerton, E. M. Smith,; Tanner, and the mover. A lengthy discussion arose on the whole question of Freetrade' versus Protection, after which the motion was carried. CHAEQES OF COKEUPTION. Mr O'CONOR called attention to a matter which, he said, affected the dignity of the Honse. He referred to the charge made last night by one member against another to the effect that that member's hands were reekmg with corruption. He (Mr O'Oonor) thought that a statement of that kind should not be allowed in the House, and he thought it must have escaped the Speaker's notice. His opinion was that in a case of this kind the Speaker should instruct the chief of the- Hansard staff to omit such an offensive charge. The SPEAKER said he certainly had not heard the remark in question. Hid he done so he should not have allowed it to pass. He thought, however, that he could not undertake to give any such instructions to the chief of the Hansard staff as Mr O'Conor had suggested, as it was too much power to place in the hands of the Speaker. THH FINANCIAL DEBATE. ■ Mr CARNCROSS resumed the debate on the Financial Statement. He congratulated Mr Ward on the straightforward statement he had presented to the House, and the country was also to be congratulated that the Colonial Treasurer had laid bare facts before them, and had not attempted to disguise the position of affairs. He referred to the able speech made by Sir J. Hall in the debate, and he felt sure that all would regret that it was probably the last speech of the kind the House would hear from that honourable gentleman. He also complimented the Minister for Education on the able and statesmanlike speech he had made, and only regretted to say that other speeches during the debate were not such as reflected much credit on the House. He did not pose as a financier, and he hoped other members, if they did not understand the figures of the Financial Statement would let them alone. Referring to the hand some surplus which was shown by the Treasurer, he said it was of course subject to the Supplementary Estimates, and he held that these Estimates should be very carefully scanned by the House. The Treasurer, they all knew, was a genial man, who did not like to say "No" to applications for expenditure of money, but he hoped the House would do its best to assist the Colonial Treasurer in seeing that the handsome surplus was not shorn of ita anticipated proportions. It was gratifying to find they had a real live Minister tor Agriculture now, and he felt sure it would benefit the colony. He was* not one of those who had a feeling of antagonism towards the Railway Commissioners, but it seemed to him that they did not study the wants of the working people as much as they might have done, and a touring company of footballers or bowlers received more attention at their hands than the working classes. Referring to the purchase of the Cheviot estate, he thought that, considering the circumstances, the Government had no option but to purchase that proper ty. If they had not done so they would have had wholesale applications to take over similar properties, The question of the settlement of the land was, he thought, being worked to death by'people who knew very little about it. Many people talked very glibly about settling people on-the land, but they took care not to go on to it themselves. His idea of land settlement was not so much to put people on the land to grow corn and breed Bheep, but in the direction of suburban settlement, such as would encourage men to go out of cities and live on their small settlements of land. He meant men who could earn their living in cities, and would also cultivate their small .sections in the suburbs. He held they should assist the Government as much as possible in disposing of the Cheviot estate in such manner as would best promote settlement. If it only fell intoi the hands of one hundred persons, it would effect a great deal of good. He was pleased to hear that the Government felt the time inopportune for taking away the subsidies to local bodies. As to Colonel Fox's report, he felt it was a just one—sach as the colony required. They had not hitherto got value ior their money in this respect. Colonel Fox should receive the thanks of the colony for his report. He almost wished the Government had postponed the remission of taxation on improvements, yet he felt they could scarcely adopt any other course. He regretted very much that the graduated tax was to be increased, as he had understood that the tax wa_s merely a finger of warning to prevent the acquisition of largeestates. He could not see his way to support the Government in increasing that tax, or to give another turn of the screw. A fairer way, in his opinion, wouldbe to reduce the exemptions than to increase the graduated tax. He did not advoca'e the abolition of the Railway Commissioners, but.he thought some scheme should be devised by which the House would have more control over the railways than it at present possessed. The Minister should have a seat on the board, but he did not want the" commissioners to assume the position of dummies. When, however, great principles were involved, they should be brought before the House and discussed in the same way as other matters. He uiged a reduction in medical fees as beiDg a very necessary step, and he knew of cases himself where poor people had died simply through relatives being afraid they could not pay the doctor's fees. The question was one that well deserved the attention of the Government.

, Mr T. MACKENZIE (Clntha) congratulated Mr Carncross on having' made a sound, common sense speech, and he thought his constituents mjght well be proud of him. The hon; gentleman had raised some very important points, especially the question of reducing ' medical tee?, as that was a question which would have to be dealt with before long, as it was ■of vital interest to the poorer classes in the colony. Mr Carncross had referred to the Agricultural department, and he believed the Minister for Lands was doing his best in the interests of that department, but his officers had nob the practical experience necessary to carry out his wishes. He also agreed with Mr Carncross that the question of colonial reciprocity was one of the most important that could engage the attention of the House. Referring to the Railway Commissioners, he thought it would be wise to give a Minister a seat on the board, but he certainly should not give him the power of veto. At the same time he did not think the management of the commissioners was at all perfect, andhe thought some simple method of heating carriages should be adopted. What fcney wanted was more commercial capacity in railway management, but he would not deny that the commissioners had done a great deal of good during their term of office. . '■ ■ . Mr Mackenzie was speaking at the 5.30 adournment.