THE LAND QUESTION.-ANOTHER DIVISION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2690, 4 October 1905, Page 16

THE LAND QUESTION. -ANOTHER DIVISION.

Since the last appearance of the land question a week or two ago some doubt has been expressed as to whether the mp.tter would come up again this session. In answer to Mr Taylor to-day, however, the Premier stated that members would be given anothjr opportunity of djgejjs^iog

the question, in - order that they might give a direct vote upon it. — Mr Massey pointed out that members had already hat' an opportunity of giving a direct vote, but, although they were allowed a free hand, the majority of them gave what amounted to a vote against the matter being dealt with this session. Mr Massey took the opportunity this evening of intercepting supply by moving an amendment condemnatory of the attitude of the Government on this important question. He made an excellent speech, in the course of which he scathingly attacked the inaction shown by th-e Government. A. majoricv of members, howevor, again siar.ified that they were quite satisfied with tile Premier's "policy." and walked complacently into the Government lobby when the division bell rang. Mr Massev has forced some very awkward decisions for Government supporters this session, and this one was not the least important. MAORI LANDS. The Government, at rather ja, late hour in the day, has introduced a 'Maori Land for Settlements Bill, but there is little hope of its becoming law this session. It is nowproposed to reduce frgm seven to three the membership of the Maori Councils, which so far have been a failure. The councils are to be nominated by The Government, instead of partly elected as at present. It is proposed to compile a list of lands or interests held by each Maori, but the work of vesting lands in the cdunoii and of throwing them open for settlement will not wait until the list of the papakaingas is made. There are many blocks which can be dealt with at once, and in case of necessity the council will have power to make reservations for these purposes out of any block placed in its hands. X T nder this provision it will be possiblo within a comparatively short time to mark off definitely all lands not actually required by the Maoris. The principal thing in the bill is the power given to resume waste Maori lands for the purpose of settlement. It is provided that any Maori land not required or not suitable for Maori occupation may be vested in the council, and loaded for any period up to 50 year-5. Reserves may be made, and the balance classified into first, second, third, or fourth-class lands, and cut up into suitable allotments. The maximum area for leasing is:— First class, 640 acres: second, 2000 acres; third, 5000 acres; and fourth, 15,000 acres. Reserves for all purposes can be made in the interests of the Maoris, and. in addition, a certain number of allotments can be i-et aside for application in the first place by the Maori owners. Power is given for raising money for paying off liabilities and removing encumbrances, and advances may be made out of money appropriated by Parliament for the purpose of putting the land into the market. The council may act as agent in leasing land for Maoris, and Maoris may apply to the council to lease their land for them for any term tip to 50 years, tha council collecting tho rents, and, after deducting the cost of administration, paying: tho balance to the Maoris. The process of removing restrictions in case of alienation by way of lease is simplified without, it ia considered, removing any essential safeguard. Power is given to the Government to lend laoney on mortgage to Mapris for tha

Xmrpose of enabling, -them 'to farm their own lands. ' : \S ,\ >;."'- RAILWAY QUESTIONS. L Sir Joseph Ward, in' "answer to Mr Arnold to-day, -said-:- 1 -'"'!-' am.«not aware that any alteration has been -made in the method of examining; the railway men in the' goods arid passenger department at Dunedin as to their -knowledge of the rules. inquiries will, however,, be made into the liratter, and if it is. hardship_ is inflicted steps will bey taken to obviate the same." % ; *%V : - o"^ v :'-Sir: '-Sir Joseph Ward tolfcMri Millar to-day that the principal metal" work required in connection .with the. duplication ,of the MosgieJ-Dunedin* railway -will- be in connection with bridges, -rwhich it 1 is to erect in steel,- -and; -^following— the -usual" practice, tenders for, the supply and manufacture of the girders within the colony will be invited. . '- " <"* In connection witE? railage^on; canned Iruit; the ■ rate on -New'"'- Zealand^ canned -fruit was reduced from Class "A to Class "B in- 1904> - jukL, the rale on New Zealand fruit pulp was also., reduced at the same time". Following the usual practice, New Zealand canned fruit is carried^at a lower rate than imported canned friiits, and Sir Si G. Ward cannot see his way to authorise any further reduction at,^the-pjesent time. ' Mr Millar asked -fihe Minister^ of Railways whether he wil£ ., reduce ;theV amount of. £500 now chargedlapniially .to' the Dunedin City Council for-'-th'e" bright to use its own roads ? The "Minister replied : — Vlt is not quit,e clear what this .question refers to, but I assume, it 'has reference to the charge now •m"ade -against the Dunedin City Council in respect to 'additional signalmen who are required to man the Andfersori's Bay and Kensington crossings' in, order „,to.- ensufe~~-.the . safety of the travelling public both in respect to railways - and to tramways. The employment of these men has been ' necessitated by ' the inauguration of the electric tram system, and there is no doubt whatever that, seeing the great difference 'which exists' between "the horsetram service and the electric car 'service, ■onditions and provisions ,'w^hioh wiere amply ' sufficient to reasonably safeguard, the travelling public under the old order of things would be totally inadequate to meet 4&e demands of the new conditions' which have arisen as the outcome of the introduction of electric tramcars. AH that the council is called upon to do is to pay the wage? of ' the" additional' men whose employment has been necessitated by the inauguration cf the electric tram system. The expenditure incurred by the Railway Department in tihe protection of the crossings has been in no wise diminished, and tßfe- interests of the travelling public, whose safety is involved, demand that a proper system of signals to both tramcars and trains should be maintained at both the crossings, where the lives of the travelling public are at stake. I regret that I cannot see my way to entertain any proposition for the relieving of any^' corporate body or individual." HARBOUR BOARDS. Mr Bedford, asked the Minister of Marine whether, in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the- representation on Harbour Boards, and the numerous complaints thereof, he intends to .introduce this session the Harbour Boards\ Consolidating and • Amending Bill, which has been promised for a number of years. Mr Hall-Jones said it is intended to consolidate the Harbours Act next session. Certain alterations are proposed, including, that of placing the representation upon a broader basis than at present exists MADE. IN GERMANY. In reply to Mr Lewis's question about Sir Joseph Ward's panegyric on building up the British Empire, and the fact that German wire is used by his department for our telegraph and telephones lines, the Minister, in the course of a somewhat lengthy reply given thi3 afternoon, said that wire purchased locally, probably from Government contractors, may , possibly have been of German make, but as it was the only suitable material obtainable, it was in trie public interest to utilise it without •waiting the arrival of overdue shipments, and thus causing inconvenience to the public service generally. THE HARVESTER TRUST. In re the Harvester. Trust, Mr Seddon ' told Mr Taylor that he will.be very pleased to meet members representing the country electorates and members representing industrial centres, and strongly urges that such meeting be held at an early date with a view of deciding upon the best course to be taken in bringing together the representatives of the farming and manuiaeturing interests. OTEKAIKE ESTATE. The Premier bas informed Mr Herc!n<an that negotiations for the purchase nf the Otekaike estate, Otago, are in progress. A "STRANGER" ADDRESSES THE X •, COUNCIL. &.n, unusuaj .incident occurred in the.

Legislative Council 1 this' afternoon— viz., the -addressing of the Council three times' by Mr Phillips, Native interpreter, who is attached to the Hon. Mr Mahuta, a member of the Executive.. - The question arose as to the meaning of the word "Mafitai." the name of a suburb of "Wellington. The Attorney-general eaid the word inraut " sea breeze," whereupon the interpreter rose and explained that the -m-eaninsr of the word was "a species of rat." Mr Beehan Became concernecL'about this meaning, and as it was proposed, to name a new township " Muritai," he feared that the place might be known as a "ratty" town. The Attorney-general differed from the interpreter, and said he - had named his house at Nelson "Muritai". out of a. Maori dictionary, which «aye the meaning as "sea •breeze." Mr Phillips again rofce and said ,that " Muritai " did mean sea breeze, but the 'real and true definition of the word was a species of . rat. Hie had, he said, consulted with" the, Hon. M. Manuta, who agreed with him/ The saget "lords," or some of them, looked their surprise, but said- nothing. When, however, a ■ few minutes later, Mr Phillip^ rose for the third time and proceeded to enlighten the Council on the particular specie! of rat referred to. the Hon. George M'Lean awoke to the fact that the proceedings were somewhat irregular. " Sir, .Jwhqni have'' we addressing the Council?" he 'asked. Then the Chairman' 'of. Committees ruled that the proceedings were entirely out of order and the Council proceeded to conduct' its business in the usual orthodox manner. OTAGO QUESTIONS. Mr Herdman asked th<s Minister of Railways swh.etb.er, .with^a view-, to- meeting the convenience of consignees of goods on the Otag6""Centrar''ra'ilway; he' will takessteps to put a stop to the present practice of keeping back at certain stations goads consigned , to stations higtier up the line. The Minister, in reply, said : "It is not the general practioe to put goods for several stations into one waggon, but, to facilitate the despatch, of goods in oases where consignments are much too large to be conveniently handled by the guard without causing considerable delay to the trains at wayside stations, it has for many years past been the nractiee, to put such goods into tranship waggons, which may contain consignments for two or more stations. On arrival at the first station the track is shunted off, and the goods for that station are promptly discharged and the truck sent forward to the next station by the first train. This practioe, as already pointed out, has been in operation for many years with excellent results. It not only insures the despatch of goods which could not be put into the roadside waggon, and which would otherwise require to remain at the forwarding depot for several days until a quantity sufficient to justify the running of a truck had accumulated, but prevents the running of a very large number of trucks with partial loads. ' The system is not confined to New Zealand railways, but is generally adopted by all railways similarly circumstanced. The practice is, however, to load truoks for separate stations wherever such a course can conveniently be followed with advantage to. the consignees and the department, and in all cases the convenience of the consignees is carefully studied, and every effort made to insure prompt despatch of the goods." Mr Herdman asked tEe Minister of Mines whether it is his intention to give effect to the requisition of the miners of the St. Bathans district by placing a sum on the Estimates to assist prospecting, and, if such is his intention, what special sum will be specially appropriated for this district? — Mr M'Gowan replied that the requisition of the miners of the St. Bathans district, to which the hon. gentleman refers, was made tin a petition to the House of Representatives, which has not yet been reported on. " I maj, however, state," the Minister said, " that the Sfc Bathans district will be freely considered in the allocation of any moneys that may be appropriated for assisting prospecting." A question by Mr Arnold about triving local bodies more discretionary power in fixing the width of streets drew ftrom the Minister of Works a reply that it is doubtful if any amendment will be made in the law this session. Mr Arnold compiaaned of the Teply given, and said amendment was necessary to- meet the case of certain streets in Mornington. THE CIVIL SERVICE EXPENDITURE ON EXTRA CLERKS. An interesting but belated return, moved for by Mr Herdman on June 30, 1904-, was laid on the table of th© House of Representatives yesterday. The return shows that tliepe was paid to civil servants, exclusive of those in the Post and Telegraph Department, for the financial year, £376,977. The amount paid to temporary clerks was no less than £96,854-. The amount paid to all persons other than civil servants, temporary clerks, and school teachers (including persons employed in public works) was £956.512. There was X&1& to persons >» the Railway Decart-

\ ment £1,109,748, and to civil servants in th© Post and Telegraph Department £290,576,— making a grand total of £2,830,668. Another return granted on the motion of Mr Herdman shows the number of civil servants, exclusive of those in the Post and Telegraph Department, to be 2100. The total number of temporary clerics is 601. The total number of persons other than civil servants, temporary clei-ks, and school teachers, but including men on public works, is 9295. The tota.l number of persons permanently employed in the Railway Department is 8654-, and the total number of civil servants in the Post and Telegraph Department 2089,— a grand total of 22,739. That was on March 31, 1904. Though the return was ordered by Parliament on June 30, 1904, it was only produced yesterday. JOTTINGS. The Minister of Railways has refused to give Sir William Steward the lamp he wants at Hakateramea Flag Station. This will no doubt be a sad disappointment to tho gallant knight .of Waitaki after ho had invoked the whole machinery of the Parliament of New Zealand over such a momentous question. | Another of Sir William Stewards demands has been refused. Sir Joseph Ward to-day stated that an extension of the telei phone from Tekapo to Pukaki, 30 miles m length, is estimated to cost £900. The route would be through high country subject to snowstorms. To give a reasonable factor of -safety the line must be fairly strong. The estimated revenue is £5 per annum: interest and annual cost of working, £81; deficiency, £76 a year. The extension is therefore not one that- can be | authorised at present. ! ' The Premier recently intimated that tne Government would ask Major-general Babin<ton to remain as Commandant of the Forces for a further term. The General has not yet decided whether he will accede to this request. The Local Bills Committee recommends that Sir William Steward's Waimate Hospital Bill be not proceeded with this session. Two thousand people have petitioned against the bill. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28. In the Legislative Council on Thursday the Property Law Amendment Bnl was put through comrnitfcee. In the House of Representatives on Thursday the afternoon sitting was taken up with a discussion on the recommittal of the Eleofcoral Act Amendment Bill. In the evening the bill was amended in some par- J ticulars, and the debate on the motion for the third reading was pi-oceeding when an interruption to the telegraphic communication cut short our report. THE LAND QUESTION". The following two questions have been given notice of by Government supporters : Mr Ell to ask the Premier whether, in view of the demand of the Farmers' Union that all State tenants shall have the right to acquire the freehold of their holdings, he will introduce legislation giving the tenants of private landowners the right also of acquiring the freehold of their holdings? Mr Miller to ask the Government whether, in view of the fact that the Farmers' Union and its representatives in this House are demanding that Crown tenants be granted the freehold of their holdings at their original value, it will so amend the Land Act and the 1 Land for Settlements Act as to enable the Crown to resume land for settlement at its original value, plus improvements made by the LAND FOR SETTLEMENT. Mr Thomas Mackenzie to-day presented a petition to the Minister of Lands from 70 farmers and others in the Hampden and Moeraki district urging the Government to acquire for close settlement the N.Z. and A.L. Company's estate in that locality A PAROCHIAL PARLIAMENT. Mr Ell's request for a greenhouse for the | Burnham boys and Sir William Steward's now famous invocation in the Parliament of New Zealand for a lamp post at the Hakataramea railway flag-station are being put in the shade by a petition from 63 West Coasters, who have petitioned Parliament to place a small sum on the Estimates for the purpose of providing a horee and cart for the conves-ance of their children to Scddonville School.