N.Z. PARLIAMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3003, 4 October 1911, Page 36

N.Z. PARLIAMENT.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26. The House met a.t 2.30 p.m. THE ESTIMATES. On Sir J. G. WARD'S motion to go into Committee of Supply on the Estimates, Mr LAUREiSSOiN moved as an amendment that the time had now arrived when the seat of Government should be removed frdm Wellington. He contended that the present capital city was not made by Nature for the purpose. The.alteration the way he worked it out would cost the nothing, and would be a national benefit.. The'.amendment was rejected by 33 votes. to .22, •/ Mr- HERRIES asked for the production of the report on. old soldiers' claims. Veterans who fought in the Maori wars were turned adrift to depend on old-age pensions. Those who represented tl*e Dominion in the South African war were much better treated. Mr OKEY urged the need for immediate attention to old soldiers' claims. Sir J, G. WARD said in regard fo old soldiers' claims: that it was nothing short of political hypocrisy the way members of the Opposition went on in the matter. The magistrates' reports on the claims were now' in the hands 6f the Government printer, and would shortly be laid before the House. The arguments he had heard on the subject made him politically 6ick. He had never heard such twaddle a.s that served up by the Opposition. No one was more anxioul than himself to give relief to- old soldiers.- He could not understand the methods of the Opposition, which was continually reproaching the Government for its expenditure, and yet the only requests for increases in the Estimates came from the Opposition. The House then went into committee on the Estimates. There was considerable discussion over the Railway Estimates. The Hon. Mr MILLAR dealt with many suggestions made.. Among other things, he said that in connection with the sugges : tion to" make tickets, transferable and usable at any time,, he said this could not be entertained. The system now in vogue allowed the department to have a check on the tickets, but if the" department adopted the suggested system there would be nothing to "prevent the public from printing their own tickets or purchasing tickets at excursion rates tod using them at ordinary times. The question of the carriage of foodstuffs on the railways would receive consideration. Regarding advertisements, it had never been made a condition in the tenders that any special form of advertising should be prohibited. He could give no promise toextend the suburban rates to branch lines. Sir A. GUINNESS advocated a daily mail service in summer time between Christchurch and Greymduth. With re-' gard to the proposed reduction in fares over -certain distances, he was of opinion that it w6uld be more beneficial if return tickets were mede less than through tickets, as was the system some years ago. The present. proposition was simply benefiting the tourist. In replying to Sir A. Oviftness'a question, Mr MILLAR said a daily, train from Christchnrch to Greymouth would be tried as an experiment during the busiest month of the holiday season, but if it did not pay it would come off immediately. With regard to a motor service he intimated that it was his intention to import three or four, at first, with the idea of testing their usefulness in different parts of the country. He knew that all places would ask for them, but the system was more in the nature of an experiment at the present time. He had been asked to reduce the charges on hard timbers, but this he could not do, as this class of timber was more than twice as heavy as the ordinary article. There had long been a preferential tariff in favour of New Zealand timbers to protect them against imported timbers. Mr HERDMAN sought an explanation of the increased cost of maintenance of railways from £22,995 per mile last year to £25,358 this year. The MINISTER explained that a great deal of relaying was going on. At 2 a.m. progress was reported. 4fter 2 a.m. Mr MASSEY repeated his protests against the Government's insistence upon going on with the Native Department Estimates. Personally, he had been inclined to keep the discussion going until breakfast time, but that would only be penalising the other members. The PRIME MINISTER replied that after a long experience of the Leader of the Opposition he was not surprised to hear his complaint, but in view of the real facts he thought the protest beneath the dignity of the position which Mr Massey held. Unless a reasonable amount of work was done daily there would be a rush at the end of the session. Ninetenths of the items on the railway Estimates of £2,300,000 were fixed items, and nine-tenths of the minor matters raised in the debate could have been better dealt with by the Minister privately. On principle he objected to the minority driving the majority. He .was thinking of suggesting that half a dozen of his party should be spared from the House to tour in Opposition districts, and that he should personally spend a week or two in making the Opposition toe the mark. Mr MASSEY : I'll be on your track in two days. - At 2.30 a.m. the House rose.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, The House met at 2.30 p.m. NEW PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS. The PRIME MINISTER intimated to the House that the assessor of awards in connection with the competitive designs for the new Parliament Buildings was to meet a committee which he proposed to set up this afternoon, the committee to

' consist of Sir J. G. Ward, the Hon. Mr Millar, the Hon. R. M'Kenzie, Sir J. G. Findlay, Sir C. C. Bowen,- Sir A. Guinness, Messrs Carncross, Colvin, Massey, and Fraser. The report of the assessor would be submitted' to the committee, which would report to the House within a fortnight. The sealed letters accompanying each design would be opened, disclosing the identity of the successful competitors. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Ministers in replying to questions said The Government was not aware at present of any necessity for the appointment ; of another Supreme Court judge. It was hoped to be able to announce the ! decision of the Government respecting the { question of increased pay for the rank and file of "the police before the end of i the session. It was' not proposed to introduce this | session a Betterment Bill dealing with' increased unimproved land values, but the I question of what was the best course to I adopt was receiving earnest consideration, j It might be necessary to review from i time to time the rentals charged for rail- ; way houses occupied by employees. Railj way employees would receive pay for the Dominion Day holiday. Provision was being made on the Supplementary Estimates for increasing the pay. of mental hospital attendants. BILLS. The Administration Act Amendment Bill was reported from committee, and the Hauraki Plains Act Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. Mr James Allen will deliver a political address at Shannon on the evening of Saturday, October 7. j STARTING A PAPER. ] ." An anecdote regarding the establishment of the Dominion, newspaper in Wellington was told by the Prime Minister yesterday during the discussion on the . distribution of Government advertisements. The Leader of the Opposition had stated that members of the Government were the principal owners of the New Zealand Times. " The truth is," Sir Joseph Ward stated, " that some time ago the money bags of the Opposition thought they were going to take away from the people of Wellington the New Zealand Times. They met in a certain house, the meeting being composed of large landed proprietors, who were the principal owners of the Dominion, with one or two j wealthy men of . Wellington. They tried to purchase the New Zealand Times and turn it into a paper to support Mr Massey and his party. Mr Massey: When was that? The Prime Minister : About four years . ago. -■ • ■;;■ ' ••" ; ; I Mr Massey: It is strange that I never [beard anything .about-it. - ( j The Prime Mmister • I know all about it. . . . ! A Member; You have got all the . imagination; go on. The Prime Minister said these people had actually tried to buy the Times, but they had failed. They had then put up their money and established a political paper to preserve their, interests because the policy of the Government was against large landed proprietors. The paper had attacked the policy of the Government ever since, and was against everything in this country which was inimical .to the interests of the large landed proprietors, i Mr Massey: You have plenty of them supporting you and making contributions. ! The Prime Minister: That is not so. We have never had a contribution from a large landed proprietor. Mr Massey: Your fighting fund has. I The Prime Minister expressed his willingness fo tell Mr Massey all about fighti ing funds, including his own. Mr Massey: You may know more about the Opposition fund than I do. It is very small. A MEMBER'S DISCOMFITURE. When the House resumed after the supper adjournment on Tuesday Mr Sidey was observed to be seated in the ladies' gallery engaged in con-. : versation with one of the occupants. i The attention of the Chairman was j drawn to the fact, and Mr Colvin remarked : —" My attention has been | drawn to the fact that there is a ! stranger in the ladies' gallery." Mr Sidey ( did not hear the remark, so a messenger i went forward and conveyed the intelli- ! gence to him. The member for Dunedin | South at once hurriedly left the gallery, . and blushingly resumed his seat, while j the. House laughed heartily at his discomt fort. ! THE WATER TRAFFIC.

I In the House last evening Mr Arnold ' asked when the new steamer was to be .! running on Lake Wakatipu, and whether I when put in commission it would run ! daily or only three days a week. i Mr W. Braser asked if the Government would subsidise -a motor service j from Clyde to Peanbroke, which would j save a day's journey to Lake Wanaka. j Mr Millar's reply to these questions was ' almost inaudible owing to the chattering of women who had been accommodated ! with chairs on the floor of the House, ! and also owing to the general conversaj tion of members. He was understood to ! say that the steamer could not be put iri j commission before February next. They | were now plating her, but she would have j to be taken to pieces, sent up to Lake | Wakatipu, and rebuilt there. He ihade an explanation about the Clyde motor service that was quite inaudible in the press gallery. A SLOW. TRAIN. While discussing the railway Estimates Mr Scott referred to the delays • on the Otago Central railway. The train, he said, stopped at 50 interjnediate stations, and there were three hours or more of. stoppages. There was one section where they could not get the'train to go slow enough to arrive at the right time, and therefore it arrived ahead of time) and had to wait a quarter of an hour at one station. Mr Malcolm and Mr Fraser also complained of the slowness of the

train, and the latter said the delays were extremely irritating. RACING CLUBS’ GRIEVANCE. The petition of W. H. Hosking and 338 others, of Bulls, who asked that the Rangitikei Racing .Club might have its license restored, has been recommended by the A to L Petitions Committee to the Government for favourable consideration. The report also proposed that the attention of the Minister of Internal Affairs should be specially directed to the great injustice which had in this instance been done to the Rangitikei Club. The report was received by the House this afternoon. POLITICAL CONSCIENCES. The House was discussing the unfairness of the method of distributing the Government advertising yesterday afternoon when Mr James Allen interrupted the Prime Minister and said : “All w© want is fair play.” “The hon. gentleman is never satisfied. He will not be satisfied even in Heaven, if he ever gets there, which is problematical,” replied Sir Joseph Ward. “I withdraw that last remark,” he added promptly, “ and I wish the hon. gentleman a safe passage there.’’ “ Shall I meet the right, hon. gentleman there?” queried Mr Allen. “Well you won’t meet me in the other place, because I have got an easy conscience,” replied Sir Joseph Ward. “You’ll never get to the Better Land if you do not give fair play,” interjected- IVIr Massey, to which Sir Joseph Ward replied : “If I meet the Leader of the Opposition there I have no doubt he will be sitting on the opposite side of the bench to me.” ADVANCES TO SETTLERS. Lars Anderson, of Waikawau, Awakino, petitioned Parliament for a refund of £244 and interest, being part of a loan from the Advances to Settlers Department of which he alleged that he had been' defrauded by a solicitor who was acting as agent for the department. _ The A to L Petitions Committee was satisfied that the money had never been paid to the petitioner, and recommended that it be paid, with interest to date. HOUSE RENTS. Some light is thrown upon the question of the cost of living by a parliamentary return showing the average weekly rents paid for dwellings in selected boroughs at the census of April, 1911. Following are some of the particulars :

'OTAGO CENTRAL RAILWAY. „■ Mr Scott asked the ‘Minister of Bail-ji, ways to-day on what basis the receipts:, and expenditure on the Otago Central railway were computed as between Dunedin and Wingatui on the main line, and Wingatui, intermediate stations, and Clyde on the Otago Central line, and what difference, if any, did the payment of passenger' fares or goods charges make if paid at: Clyde or intermediate stations as against those paid at Dunedin. The Minister replied that it was immaterial so far as the railway charges we*e concerned whether they were paid at Dunedin or Clyde, or any of the intermediate stations on the Otago Centra! railway at which officers of the department were in charge. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. THE CORONATION INVITATIONS. In reply to the Hon. Mr Mills, who asked why members of the Legislative Council did not receive copies of the invitations extended on two occasions to eight members of the New Zealand Parliament to be present at the Coronation and also whether the Minister would lay the correspondence on the subject on the table, the Hon. Sir. J. G. FINDLAY said an answer to the first question would be found in Hansard No. 10, 1911. In answer to the other question he said “No.” DIVINITY DEGREES. Leave was granted to the Hon. Sir G. M. O’Rorke to introduce a bill to enable the Senate of the New Zealand University to grant degrees in divinity. The House met at 2.30 p.m. METHODIST CHURCH BILL. The Methodist Church of New Zealand Bill was read a first time. LOCAL BILLS. The whole of the afternoon and evening sittings were devoted to local bilk. A LOST PENSION. Mr Fisher mentioned a somewhat unusual case of misfortune in Parliament yesterday in speaking upon a petition which he presented and which had been favourably reported upon. Mr Fisher stated that the petitioner, Thos. Nicholson, entered into a contract with the late Mr Scddon to paint a panoramic picture of New Zealand, and exhibit it outside this country for a period of five years. He discovered subsequently that his absence of five years under this contract debarred him from receiving the old-age* pension. Mr Nicholson had no legal claim, but Mr Fisher submitted that he surely had a moral claim to relief. WIRELESS TO THE CHATHAMS. Mr Fisher asked the Postmaster-gene-ral what data, if any, have bee uncollected by the Post Office authorities upon the question of the estimated cost of installing telephonic and wireless communication in the Chatham Islands ? Sir Joseph Ward replied : —A representative of the residents in December last was asked for information which would have enabled the department to estimate the cost of installing a telephone line .around the main island of the Chathams, but so far the information- has not been received, as it will be necessary shortly to send an officer of the department to the Chatham Islands in connection with the proposal

to establish wireless telegraphy. The opportunity will be taken to obtain a complete report on both subjects. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. THE FRIENDLY SOCIETIES ACT. The Friendly Societies Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. CORONATION INVITATIONS. The Hon. Mr Mills gave notice to move—" That the members of the Council are dissatisfied with the crude, undignified, and discourteous reply given by the Attorney-general yesterday to questions on the Order Paper respecting the Coronation invitations; " also that the Council is dissatisfied with the curt refusal to lay on the table any papers, correspondence, or cablegram relating to the matter, to which the Council is entitled and which refusal is an insult to the Council." The House met at 2.30 p.m. THE ESTIMATES. The House went into committee on the Estimates, class VII (Justice Department, £376,830) being taken.. Mr RHODES asked that further consideration be given to recommendations from members for the appointment of justices of the peace. The Hon Mr MILLAR said that a number of persons proposed for appointment had not been appointed because they did not express their willingness to accept appointment. Some members recommended over 20 people for appointment in one electorate. At the present there were over 2000 justices on the roll. 1 he present rate of addition was about 200 or 250 a year, and if tihat rate was kept up it would not be long before half the adult male population was on the roll of justices, which, would be absurd. EveTy applcation for appointment would be considered on its merits. As to the cond«uct of magistrates, the Minister said that the Justice Department never interfered unless the conduct of a magistrate was such that it warranted the removal of the magistrate from the bench. Mr. WILFORD defended J.P.'s generally. As a lawyer he declared that it was a marvel how well the J.P.'s did their, work, considering the fact that they had no legal training. Mr HERRIES wanted to know why outside assistance had to be procured for drafting a Licensing Bill. The Hon Mr MILLAR stated that the reconstruction of the Crown Law Department had saved - thousands of pounds -a year. Eventually the reconstruction would be carried out in the smaller centres, where legal representatives of the Government would be appointed. As to the drafting of the Licensing Bill, he understood that the work was given to Mr Adams as the person best qualified to do the work, in the same way as Mr T. F. Martin, of Wellington, had some years ago been employed to draft a Municipal Bill. The Crown Law Office was doing its work well. The department might in! future be extended to other centres. In the meantime the Governmient would adhere to the present system, which, if successful, would be extended to other centres. In reply to Mr Massey, Mr Millar stated that he understood that the Webster claims had been settled. In connection with the vote for Magistrates' and Wardens' Courts, Mr Millar Said there were no increases of salaries on the vote befoae the committee. Any increases would come down on the Supplementary Estimates. Mr CLARK drew the attention of the Minister to the manner in which magistrates sometimes treated o&d men coming before them. He instanced the case of a man aged 82 years, who was applying for a pension, and who was cross-examined by a magistrate as if the pensioner were endeavouring to • get what he was not entitled, to. Mr LAURENSON said it would be a good thing if the Minister got the Undersecretary of- Justice to drop the magi®r trates a circular asking them to treat the old-age pensioners with all due consideration. Mr CLARK said he was quite prepared to give the whole of the particulars of the case, which showed shameful treatment of an old man. Mr MILLAR said that if the hon. gentleman furnished him with particulars he would inquire into the matter. At the prisons vote Mr ARNOLD pointed out that warders' annual leave was often deferred, and he urged the Minister to give all possible consideration to this class of public servant. He also asked that the evidence taken in connection with the Auckland case recently should be laid upon the table. The wardoj- in that case had been dismissed but he would like to know what was to be done with the man's chief. Mr MASSSEY said it was a very great pity that these inquiries were held in secret. He hoped that the papers in the Auckland case would be laid on the table as soon as possible so that the House could discuss the matter. Mr MILLAR paid the report of the inquiry would be laid on the table. At the police vote several members urged that the police should receive an increase in their pay, which is at nresent small, while the men's duties are arduous and responsible. Mr HERDMAN asked for an appeal tribunal for the police. Mr ARNOLD paid a high compliment to the Uncler-seeretary for Justice for his administration of the Police Department. He was the right man in. the rvjht place, but Mr Arnold considered it desirable to have a man of practical knowledge and broad experience to advise the Under-secretary in all practical matters concerning the administration of the Police Department, and it would probably be necessary to send out of the Dominion to secure such an officer. Mr MILLAR, in replying to Mr Arnold's suggestion said it would only be a matter of time when a man would have to

be appointed from Home. It would, under the iciTCuiraata.nc.ea, be better to adopt suoh a course than to promote a member of the New Zealand service. A man of wide experience would be essential—a.man who would be also an expert adviser. Mr MASSEY said there was at least one man in New Zealand who was thoroughly competent to fill the position. Mr MILLAR said they were getting on very well at present under the administration of the Under-secretary for Justice, and there was no immediate intention of importing a man from abroad. The Department vote * was passed unaltered. At Clause 8 (Mines Department, £27,136) Mr OKEY spoke of the necessity for greater activity in the Geological Survey branch. The MINISTER said it was a. question of finance.

After midnight the Mines vote was passed, and the Department of Internal Affairs (£325,118) was proceeded with. After 2 a.m. Mr HERDMAN moved to reduce the amount of the electoral item by £5, as an indication that the present method of compiling the electoral rolls was entirely unsatisfactory. The motion was lost on the voices.

Mr "MALCOLM and Mr JENNINGS complained of the difference between the electoral censjja methods in the country and town districts." "■

Mr. MASSEY moved to reduce the vote for the High Commissioner's office by £5 as an indication that the annual report by the High Commissioner should be laid on the table of the House.

The motion was lost by 24 votes to 16. Progress was reported at 4 a.m., and the House rose. THE REPORT ON PRISONS.

Complaint was made this evening that members - were asked to consider the. prisons estimates before the report on the prisons had been tabled. The Hon. J. A» Millar sard that the printing of the report, which had been delayed by a press of other work, was being hastened, and instructions had been given to employ additional men so that the report might be circulated next week. POWER OF PARTY INFLUENCE. The allegation contained in a letter published in Thursday's New Zealand Herald that Sir J. G. Pindlay, at the intercession of a member of Parliament. had secured a remission of a prisoner's sentence, was denied by the Hon. J. A. Millar in the House of, Representatives this evening. Attention was drawn to the letter by the Leader of the Opposition .during the consideration of the Estimates,. He expressed a hope that the matter would be cleared up. Mr G. Laurenson said he would., not deny that" he had applied for remissions of sentence in certain cases which had seemed to justify it. Mr Millar said he took the earliest opportunity of giving an- emphatic denial to the statement. He denied that any political influence had been brought to bear in regard to the release of a prisoner. The man had been released ' on the report of a departmental officer, who had gone through the whole case. VOTING MACHINES DISCUSSED. The . votes polled at the general election will be recorded.by means of ballot papers, as in previous years. During the debate on the Estimates in the early hours,of „this.. morning. Mr_ Malcolm. asked whether any consideration had been given to the question of using voting machines in New Zealand. Five years *go, he said, the Prime Minister promised to have an experiment made at municipal 'elections, and if satisfactory results were obtained, to adopt some mechanical system for the general election. The Hon. D. Buddo replied that authority was given by legislation last session for the use at local elections of machines which the patentees desired to submit to a trial, but no one had taken advantage of the facilities offered. He thought it would be highly inadvisable to use voting machines for the first time in NewZealand at a general election. HOTELS AND THE BOUNDARIES. . The extension of no-license districts was discussed in one of its aspects when the House of Representatives was in Committee of Supply this morning. Mr Malcolm remarked that portions of licensed areas which were moved into no-license districts by the Representation Commissions were afterwards transferred into the licensed districts. He asked whether any representations regarding the matter had been made by the Government to the commissions. The Hon. D. Buddo : I give that an emphatic denial. The commissioners are statutory officers, and are not, subject to any recommendation of the Government. Mr Malcolm assured the Minister that he did not suggest anything improper. The commissions invited comment and representations, and it was as open to the Government -as to private individuals to make suggestions. " What I ask," he added, "is 'whether the Government; —it would have been quite lav/fid for it to (Jq 60 —made any representations to the commissioners?"' The Minister : The answer is " No." A LONG DAY ON THE ESTIMATES. The latest sitting since Parliament assembled brought the ninth week of the session to a close. Half-way through Friday, afternoon the House went into Committee of Supply on the Consolidated Estimates, and it was not until 4 o dock this morning that members were able to leave the House and hurry to their beds as the first signs of dawn were shown across the harbour. QUINQUENNIAL CENSUS APPROVED. The general census occupied only a few minutes when the House was considering statistical matters this morning. Mr Malcolm moved that the item of £27,600 for the census (including agri-

cultural statistics) should be reduced by £5 as an indication that the census should be taken at intervals of 10 years instead of five years. . Mr Massey said that a vote on the question would be of no value unless it was followed by legislation. Under the provisions of the existing law the proposed change in the census system would extend the intervals between the revisions of electoral boundaries to' decennial periods. A Voice : A very good thing too. . _ Ten members supported the proposition, and 33 voted' against it. The Hon. D. Buddo explained that the cost of the last census was greater than that of the-census of 1906 because there had been a large increase in population, consequently the remuneration ot the census officers had been considerably increased, and also because the work had to be pressed forward, as was the case 15 years ago, when the census was taken in an election year. The Minister commended the officers of the Registrargeneral's staff for the despatch with which the census had been completed, explaining that the results were ascertained 10 days earlier than in 1896, though the population was much greater.

4 rooms. 6 rooms. 8 rooms. s. d. s. d. s. d. Auckland 10 9.94 16 ' 2.80 22 4.08 Wellington '144.26 20 11.58 29"' 3.96 Cristchurch io' 5.97, 15 5.22 20 8.82" Dunedin 10 6.01 15 11,21 24 0.22