THURSDAY, AUGUST 31.

Otago Witness, Issue 2375, 7 September 1899, Page 27

THURSDAY, AUGUST 31.

In the Legislative Council on Thursday it was announced li.at the Government intended to introduce a bill for the suppression of gambling. The Workers' Compensation for Accidents Bill passed its second" reading. The Hon. A. Lee Smith's Companies Act Amendment Bill was put through Committee. WORKERS' COMPENSATION FOR ACCIDENTS. The third reading of the Workers' Compensation for Accidents Bill was agreed to by 26 votes to 12. The following is the division list: — Ayes (26). — Messrs T. Kelly, Scotland, Richardson, MacGregor, Fraser, Harris, Barnicoat, M'Cullough, Swanson, W. C. Smith, C. Arkwright, Kerr, A. L. Smith, Rigg, Jones, Tcmoana, Twomey, Jenkinaon, Gourley, Reeves, Feldwick, Pinkerton, Jennings, Bolt, Montgomery, W. C. Walker. Noes (12).—Messrs L. Walker, Baillie, Stevens, Bonar, Ormond, Bowen, Shrimski, Johnston, M'Leau, Holmea, Peacock, Taiaroa. SECOND READING. The following measures were read a second time: —Native Interpreters' Classification, Trustees Act Amendment, and Lunatics Act Amendment Bills. The latter proposes to make some minor changes in the law with regard to trustees of lunacy estates. COMPANIES ACT. The Hon. A. L. Smith's Companies Act Amendment Bill passed through the Committee stage. In clause 2, which provides for the publication in the company's prospectus of the names and addresses of all persons to whom promoters' shares are allotted, a proviso was added that shares given in lieu of cash in payment of any property acquired by a company shall not be deemed promoters' shares. In the House of Representatives on Thursday the Premier introduced a proposal to call for tenders for a monthly with Sydney, so as to facilitate the transmission and receipt of mails by the Federal service from Austra-

lia. The Loan Bill was discussed in the evening, when the second reading was carried. THE LOAN BILL. The PREMIER moved the second reading of the Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Act, under which it is proposed to borrow one million. The Premier said that the Government might be charged with being in a hurry in bringing down this bill, but he pointed out that it had been foreshadowed in the Financial Statement. He had taken a new departure in connection with this Loan Bill, and earmarked the works upon which the money was to be expended. — (Cries of "Oh !") From the exclamations made he gathered that there were too many works and too little money. He thought that it would not be wise to go in for lavish expenditure, therefore the amount proposed should be deemed sufficient. The country was in a safe and progressive condition, and anything that would be likely to disturb that condition should be carefully considered. A large ' borrowing scheme would inevitably attract a large influx of population, which would leave again on the completion of the work. That was one reason why they should not go faster than at present. Taking last year's expenditure on public works as a basis of the requirements of this year, tho amount asked for was moderate, and £150,000 was asked for opening up the back blocks. Complaints had been made that the sum was not enough, but it would suffice for a time, and if further aid was required the new Parliament could deal with the matter. It had been urged that the Public Works Estimates should be brought down before authority for the loan was given, but he had always contended that ways and means should always precede allocation. As far as the expenditure of money was concerned, he felt assured that it would meet the approval both of Government supporters and the Opposition. When the Railway Authorisation Bill was before them, members would have an opportunity to review the allocation of the money. He reviewed in detail the proposed expenditure, commenting on the items in the schedule. The Rimutaka deviation was defended as one of the most urgent kind on account of the great danger to human life of the present route. Settlement was going on apace, and requirements in that direction must be supplied. With regard to the purchase of Native lands, the Government intended tapering off in that respect. After explaining the clauses of the bill he said much larger expenditure was proposed on main trunk lines this year on account of the surplus, therefore he hoped the House would agree to branch lines being mere liberally treated. Captain RUSSELL characterised the Pre rnier's speech as a mere elap-tr&p appeal to the constituencies, an appeal to the people's prejudices. The bill had only been circulated that afternoon, and the House, therefore, should not have been asked to debate the question on such short notice. The introduc- j tion of'various lines into the schedule that j had not been authorised was wrong. An Authorisation Bill should first have been passed. He condemned such piecemeal legislation, and there were only two lines of railway in the schedule that he approved of. There might be others that he knew nothing about that it was necessary to borrow for. He contended that the proper method was i first to complete such lines as would prove profitable instead of by driblets here and there, then side lines could be proceeded with. He condemned the vicious principle enunciated by the Premier -Cliat because a member was in Opposition he should either be placated or punished. Personally, it could not be charged that his district had received the expenditure of public money, as he believed that £1000 would cover the amount. He asserted that the amount of borrowed money expended last year was evidence of the charge that the country had been living on borrowed money. It was proposed to expend £300,000 on the extension of lines in progress, and lines not yet authorised; but £225,000 was required for increases to rolling stock. With regard to the proposal to purchase Native Lands he pointed out that the money already expended in that direction had proved unremunerative on account of no means being provided for opening up these lands. The Hon. Mr CARROLL contended that the schedule to the bill was much more explicit than had been attached to former bills. ile agreed that the main lines of railway should be completed as quickly as possible, but it was necessary, if they were to keep pace with the progress and development of the country, that branch lines which were feeders to the main line should also be attended to. He ventured to assert that if the main North Island railway were completed to-morrow it would not pay until settlement progressed and branch line 3 were formed. -He denied that the scheuule had been prepared with a view to electioneering purposes, but j from a conviction that it would pay the colony. Tho Opposition were too prone to attribute political motives to every action of the Government, but that would not deter the Government from doing their duty, nor would it stay their hands when the people were calling out for help. „ Mr G. HUTCHISON moved as an amendment—" That the second reading of the bill be postponed with a view to the Government re-allocating the amount proposed to be borrowed, by varying amounts appearing against the several works and the purnosea in the schedule to the oiil." vie mover said he was not opposed to borrowing if money was necessary to develop the resources of the country, and could not be obtained from ordinary revenue. In addition to the million proposed to be borrowed, there would be the £800.000 surplus, which would be expended over two financial years. Ho condemned the allocation of the proposed loan. The amounts proposed to be expended on branch lines should all be spent on arterial lines. As for the purchase of Native land, he contended that should cease, and that settlers in the back block 3 should be given an outlet from their holdings. Mr HOGG seconded, the motion pro forma. Mr Hutchison had noi indicated how he proposed to allocate the proposed loan, for the reason that he had no distinct idea on the subject. No more necessary expenditure was required than was proposed on the Rinvutaka deviation. The amount set apart for the pur1 chase of land for settlement was also necessary, and in connection with this matter he defended the State as a landlord in preference to private landlordism. Mr BUCHANAN condemned the expenditure proposed on some lines as being unremunerative. The whole schedule was such as had never before been presented to the House. No doubt a large proportion of the proposed loan would be expended in carrying on works on the co-operative principle, with a view to securing votes at the forthcoming elections. The Premier said that there would be a tapering off in the purchase of Native land, but that was because there were no votes ir the transaction, and for some reason the Government refused to purchase the Manawatu railway. - Mr GILFEDDER submitted that members who opposed borrowing were, the first to try

to get for their district a share of any loan that might ~e raised.. He supporteda moderate borrowing policy as being necessary to keep pace with the progress of the colony. Of eight millions borrowed during the last eight years the great bulk was returning a greater interest than it cost. Mr MOORE advocated the completion of mam lines of railway in preference to spreadin? the amount amongst a number of small lines. j_i.e would like to see the schedula altered in this direction, omitting the sum set apart for the purchase of Native land and defence, and setting opposite each line of railway the exact amount allocated therefore. Mr LAWKY opoosed the amendment. The second reading was carried on tfor voices. THE LOAN BILL. The debate on the 7 Loan Bill has occupied the whole evening, the best speeches beinj " delivered by the Premier, Captain Russell, • and Mr George Hutchisoti. There seems to be a general consensus of opinion that th« main trunk lines of railway should be completed, but the Opposition distrust the"" Government in the expenditure of loau money, unless it is specially earmarked to be spent on certain works and within a certain time. The second reading was carried • on the voices. ATTACK ON THE OTAGO CENTRAL. Mr Gilfedder, in his speech on tho LoanBill to-night, said the Otago Central line would not pay for many years, and it would cost three-quarters of a million to complete it. The line should not be gone on with unless the people of the colony by a vote de clared in favour of it. ' j