N. Z. PARLIAMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3100, 13 August 1913, Page 30

N. Z. PARLIAMENT.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 5. The House met at 2.50 p.m. PETITIONS BY NATIVES. Speaking on the report brought down by the Native Attains Committee on the petitions of Hohepa Karetai and Wiremu Rouri, the Hon. Mr HERRIE3 stated that he proposed to go into the whole question of the landless Natives in the South Island BILLS. The second reading of the Local Bodies Loans Bill was moved by the lion. Mr LLEN, who stated that the measure was largely a consolidating one. It was the machinery for dealing with moneys borrowed by local authorities, and embodied all the existing law on the subject. Power was taken in clause 71 to guarantee up to half a million the loans of certain local bodies which would be allowed to go on the market themselves, the right to so borrow being subject to the sanction of the Minister. In the debate which followed Sir J. G. Ward and other members contended that the £500,000 proposed to be guaranteed was totally inadequate. The Hon. Mr Allen having replied, the Bill was read a second time. STATE ADVANCES BILL. The Hon. Mr ALLEN moved the second reading of the State Advances Bill, widen he had explained on the first reading. One of the main features of the Bill was the removal of the Minister from the State Advances Board. There was no real necessity for the Minister to be on tbs board. None of his predecessors bad sat on the board, and he believed it better that there should be no semblance of political control. It was far better to leave the board unfettered. The board, as proposed, was stronger than heretofore. Provision was made for the raising of money for advances to settlers, workers, and local authorities. The maximum amount that might be raised in any one year was £2,250,000. The reserve fund was unaltered, but the Superintendent was comrlled to pay over to the Public Trustee per cent, for investment as a sinking fund. Provision was also made for interest, charges, in order to prevent the possibility of losses to the department. The superintendent as borrower was done away with, the Minister being the only one who could borrow. Sir J. G. WARD said the Bill involved a proposal for running the country into £3,000,0000 or £4,000,000 in the first year. If the loans were made cumulative his prediction must come right. In the event of the proposals of the Bill being carried, cumulative loans would, by way of commitments, run into £2,000,000 or £3,000,000 a year. He objected to the removal of the Minister from the Board, which was entrusted with the handling of millions of money. The Hon. Mr MASSEY said it was proposed to limit the personnel of the board to five —the Superintendent, the Valuergeneral, the Under-secretary of Lands, and two heads of departments. If the commissioner of taxes and the head of the insurance department were included he ventured to say it would be the strongest board possible to set up. The reason the change was being made was to do away altogether with the suggestion that political influence was being used. Several other members spoke on the Bill, and Mr Allen, having replied, the second reading was agreed to. MINISTERIAL RESIDENCES. In the 10 years ended October 24. 1912, it cost the country £13,726 for the upkeep of Ministerial residences, and the cost of furniture was £5337. TAIERI DRAINAGE. The West Taieri Land Drainage Board Enabling Bill, introduced by Mr Scott, provides that the Drainage Board may make and levy special rates in the Henley River district to provide for the payment of an old loan of £1520 and interest thereon. The rate leviable yearly is to bo sufficient to provide the interest due, and a sum not less than £2OO on account of the principle. If default ho made and continued for 21 days the persons concerned in receiving the money may apply for the appointment of a receiver, in accordance with “ The Local Bodies Loans Act, 1903.” Further the board may raise another loan if it desires to pay off the balance then unpaid, and levyrates to meet such obligations. The last clause gives the board “ power to sell, convey, and transfer any lands belonging to it.” WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6. In the Legislative Council the Legislative Reform Bill was referred to a Select Committee, with power to call for persons and papers. The Commercial Bank of Australia and M'Dougall Trust Estate Bills were read a third time and passed. The House met at 2.30 p.m. A number of new Bills were introduced and read a first time, including the Education Act Amendment Bill bv Mr Brown. The latter led to a debate concerning the salaries of teachers. Mr Wilford charged the Government with disregard of the grievances of teachers. Mr Allen warned teachers against false friends. The discussion had been purely for political purposes, and was an. attempt on the part of the Opposition to force all the Government proposals. He asked what the Opposition had done for teachers during the 20 years it had been in office. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Replying to questions the MINISTERS said : The intention of the Government regarding an amendment to the Licensing Act would be made known later in the session. The Government was fully alive to the desirability of finding new markets for our produce. The High Commissioner was closely in touch with the conditions in Europe and kept the dominion constantly advised. Experience had shown that uniform school books tended to impair educational

efficiency by hampering a teacher's individuality in imparting instruction, and the Government did not favour the system. The system of general free class books did not work satisfactorily, for the great majority of parents supplied children with books, and those provided by the State were not used.

The Crown Law Office did not advise the Advances Board to lend on the security of leases issued under the Native Land Act. 1909, and the question of making the leases eligible was now in the hands of the Native Department. THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m., and went into committee on the Estimates. The Hon. Mr ALLEN delivered tlie Budget, after which it was agreed to take the debate on Wednesday. The House rose at 9 p.m. RAILWAY AND ROAD WORKS. A return which was presented to the House yesterday on the motion of Mr Russell shows that the number of men employed on railway and road works on August 1, 1912. was 4984, and that on October 10 it had decreased to 4224. The railways cn which reductions were made were the Kawa-kawa-Hokiang i, Kawakawa-Grahamstown. North Island Main Trunk, TaurangaPaengaron. Gisbornc-Motu, Napicr-Gisborne, Mount Kjrmont, South Island Main Trunk, Midland, Catline-Wainiahaka, and LavrrenceR ox burgh lino. THE MIDLAND RAILWAY. A return bearing upon the cost of the Midland railway so far, which was asked for by the late S : r Arthur Guinness, was presented to Parliament yesterday. The constructional work was given in throe sections—(a) from Brunnerton to the Otira tunnel; (b) from Springfield to Otira; and (c) the Otira tunnel. The section from Brunnerton to the Otira tunnel cost £452,263. Of this £263,889 was expended by or on behalf of the Midland RailwayCompany, and £198,479 by the New Zealand Government. The Springfield to Otira tunnel eect’on cost £736,743. of which £61,579 was expended by or on behalf of the Midland Railway Company, and £675,164 by the Government. The expenditure upon the Otira tunnel by the Government so far has been £257,553 The total value of land grants given to the Midland Railway Company was £320,000. CO-OPERATIVE WORKERS. A return, which was presented yesterday, shows that the average earnings of between 2000 and 300 co-operative workers between August, 1911, and August. 1912, wore Is lid per hour, and £2 6s lid per week. OBSERVATION RAILWAY CARS. The lion. Mr Horricn (Minister of Railways) states that the desirability of running observation oars on the through express trains is under consideration. The- use of observation cars would, of course, entail a special charge on the passengers who travelled therein. SAN FRANCISCO MAIL. The matter of renewing the subsidy towards the Wellington-San Francisco service is at present under consideration. THURSDAY, AUGUST 7. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Copyright Bill, the Magistrate’s Court Bill, and the Pensions Reciprocity Bill were read a second time, the Magistrate’s Court Bill being referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. In connection with the Pensions Reciprocity Bill, it was mentioned that a person might live in New Zealand for 19 years, then go to Australia for a year, qualify for a pension, then return here and draw the pension four years sooner than could bo done otherwise. The House met at 2.30 p.m. A number of local Bills were read a second time, also the Land Drainage Act Amendment Bill. The House went into committee on the Premium Bonds Validation Bill, when a motion that the Chairman leave the chair was carried, which practically meant killing the Bill. Subsequently Mr Harris, its promoter, carried a motion for the re committal of the Bill by 29 votes to 23. The Betterment Bill, introduced by Mr MCallum, was read a second time. DISTRESS LIMITATION. The Distress Limitation Bill, providing for exemption of chattels to the value of £SO from distress and protecting mortgaged chattels from distress, was read a second time on the voices. GAMING BILL. Mr WILFORD replied to the debate on the second reading of the Gaming Act Amendment Bill, which was adjourned on July 24. He explained that the purposes of the Bill seemed to have been misunderstood. Under his Bill the number of racing days could not be increased, but it was possible under the Bill to give places which had no racing days permission to hold races on one of the days nowprovided for, subject to the will of the Minister. His Bill would provide for 280 meetings as against 250 now. He contended that small places should be allowed to have their annua! races. It was not the holding of races that was killing the noble sport of horse racing, but the existence of bookmakers, who were allowed to bet indiscriminately. He further contended that his attitude with the other three members who voted some years ago for confining bookmakers to racecourses was being borne out now. The second reading was lost on the voices. FRIDAY, AUGUST 8. In the Legislative Council the Hon. Captain Russel! took his seat and was warmly welcomed. _ The Copyright Bill was read a third time and passed. The third reading of the Old Age Pensions Bill was carried. In the discussion the difference in the age limit between New Zealand and Australia was referred to. The H on. Mr Bell said the arrangement I was only an experiment for five years, and at the end of that time a readjustment could be made if found necessary. In the House of Representatives the Land and Income Tax Amendment Bid was introduced. The Local Bodies’ Loans

Bill was considered in committee; several amendments were made and the bill was then reported. The State Advances Bill was discussed at some length in committee. The amount to be advanced to one borrower was increased from £ISOO to £2OOO. The Methodist Union Bill was passed without discussion. PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE. A return was presented to the House of Representatives by the Hon. A. L. Hcrdman giving particulars as to the work-, ing of the legal branch of the Public Trust Oliice during the year ended March 31. The total amounts of fees earned by tha legal brunch was £2559, and the salaries paid to the legal staff for the period named amounted to £1543. DIRTY MILKING MACHINES. . Mr Isitt has given notice to ask the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been directed to the alleged abuse of miikvig machines and consequent deterioration in New Zealand butter, also the serious menace to health that may bo involved through pollution of milk, and whether the Minister will inquire as to the measure of inspection now practised. PUBLIC BUILDINGS. Ihe total amount spent on public buildings in tin: dominion during the tive years 1907-12 was £1,463,471. The sums spent in the four principal centres were as follow: Wellington, £264.543; Auckland, £240.156; Christchurch, £112.126; Dunedin, £50,836. A return which was ordered by the House last session the motion of Mr Myers in regard to the insurance of publio buildings has been presented. It shows that tne total of all public buildings, vi-cludtrg schools, that were destroyed by fire during the 10 years elided August last was approximately £IOO.OOO. The amount that Would have boon paid in premiums during that time if the buildings had been insured would have been about £300,000. MINERS’ RELIEF FUND. A return presented to the House on the motion of Mr Poland shows that tlie amount received under the Gold Miners’ Relief Fund regulations from the passing of the Act to June 30, 1913, including interest, was £12,635. The payments -on account of pneumoconiosis during the same tune were £9501 and the payments on account of accidents £2823, making a total disbursement of £12,324. PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION. The annual Estimates give particulars of the cost of the Public Service Commission and its stuff. The salaries are as follows; Nine clerks—One at £330, one at £290, two <at £260, one at £250, one at £l7O, one at £144, one of £llO, one at £72, one cadet at £BO, one cadet at £6s—total £2031. Other charges bring the total voto up to £6211. The commissioners’ salaries amount to £3300. This makes a total cost of £9511 for the current year. BIG TUNNEL CONTRACT. A contract has boon let by the Public Works Department for the construction of a tunnel nearly a mile in length at the northern end of. the Stratford-Okahukara railway, which will connect the provinces of Auckland and Taranaki. The tunnel, which is about two miles from Okahukara (on the Main Trunk line), will bo 75 chains in length, and the contract price is in the neighbourhood of £IOO,OOO, hut the actual amount is not yet ascertainable. Three years arc to bo allowed for the construction of the tunnel. The formation work from Okahukara, whore the Stratford line joins the Main Trunk railway, has now reached the spot at which the tunnelling will bo commenced. It is not likely that much work will be done on the Obura side of the tunnel until the tunnel itself is approaching completion. INCONSIDERATE CONSTITUENTS. In a democratic country a member of Parliament must expect to find himself considerably tied by the demands made upon him by his constituents who are apt to regard him as being largely designed to attend to their convenience and who ere generally far from being bashful in making persona! demands upon him. With Parliament in session members, especially country members, are some times subjected to special inconvenience. Country electors visiting tho capita! almost invariably include in their sight seeing programme a visit to Parliament House, and on such occasions their members, who may be keenly interested in a debate which is proceeding, receive notes with a request for tickets, seats, etc., and a few minutes in tho lobby. To be obliged ter leave the House at such a moment is frequently most annoying as important points may be missed, but with tho pressure of votes in view attention to tho electors may hardly be neglected. So considerable has tho inconvenience been of late that members generally arc wishing that their constituents would have more consideration. TRADING IN NATIVE LANDS. Mr Craigio has given notice to ask tho Native Minister: (1) Whether ho will cause inquiries to be made into tho reports that syndicates and speculators are acquiring largo areas of Native land by “dummying” and aggregating such areas into tho hands of a few by means of transfers and assignments. (2) Whether . he will, in any measure dealing with the Native land laws this session, make provision for tho prevention of “dummying” and aggregation in tho future. “NOTHING IN THE NEST.” On August 1 it was decided, on tho motion of Mr Russell—“ That there be laid before the House a return showing the discount, production fee, brokers’ charge, and any other concession made to the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company by the Government in connection with the loan of £50,000 obtained by it from that company at per cent, on Treasury Bills, and repayable on November 30. 1913.” The Minister of Finance (the Hon. James Allen) to-day laid tho desired information before the House. The Largo white space on tho official return below tho lengthy question contained the single word “ Nil.” There was a ripple of laughter from Government members as this news was imparted to the House. Opposition members looked a little disconcerted at this revelation of the emptiness of their latest “nest,” and to cover their confusion Mr Witty* made tho ejaculation, “ That’s very satisfactory,” at which there was renewed laughter TO RESTRICT' GAMBLING. The private Bills which have been circulated dealing with an increase in tho number of race days in tho dominion have conjured up opposition to any such proposal. The fear that gambling and attend-

ant “ vice ” will thereby be increased has inspired a general petition throughout the dominion, and this was presented to-day by Mr Laurcnson. Tho signatories totalled 627, who formally pretested against any increase in the number of racing days within the dominion. To alter the regulations before they had had sufficient trial wouid lessen, it was said, the prestige of Parliament in the eyes of the people, and, further, any extension of the number of racing days must mean an extension c'f the opportunities to foster the gambling spirit, which is all too prevalent, and which needs repression rather than encouragement. ADULTERATED LIQUOR.

The Prime Minister to-day agreed to the motion by Air Campbell that there ho laid before this House a return showing (1J the number of convictions against licensed liquor-sellers for soiling inferior or adulterated liquor since August 1. 1912; (2) when these convictions took place; (3) where these convictions took place ; and (4) the licensing district in which the convicted person held his or her license. SIR WILLIAM RUSSELL.

Sir William Russell to-day took Ins scat in the Legislative Council for the first time since his appointment, and was sworn in. The Leader of the Council (the Hon. H. D. Bell) formally welcomed Sir William, and others made complimentary references to his presence. In the morning the Councils Defence Committee met and elected Sir William Russell as its chairman. JOTTINGS.

Mr Craigie is asking if tho Government will take stops immediate!" to establish a school for feeble-minded girls on tho same lines as the Otekaike institution for hoys. Replying to Air J. C- Thomson the Prime Minister said that the Government did not intend this session to introduce legislation to prevent the marriage of the unfit On account of the adjournment of the Legislative Council till Wednesday, August 20, a number of the southern members went south this evening in order to visit their homes. The ranks of the Lower House were also somewhat depleted by “ racing members, who went south fer tho Grand National meeting at Christchurch. Sir Joseph Ward left the evening for the south in order to visit his constituency after his return from England. SATURDAY, AUGUST 9. The Native La.nd Bill will be introduced during the present month. It will contain some important provisions for expediting the settlement of Native lands. Loliowing the usual course, the Bill will bo referred to tho Native Affairs Committee. A Bill dca.ing with tho rating of Native lands will also be introduced. BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. In pursuance of the determination of the Government to grant representation on the Board of Agriculture to the agricultural and pastoral societies arrangements arc being made to set up an electoral college, which will be entrusted with the duty of electing eight members representative of the different agricultural districts in the dominion. MR ROYD GARLICK. It is not yet definitely known when the special committee eat up to consider and report upon tho utterances of Opposition members regarding the appointment of Mr Royd Garlick as Director of Physical Education will commence its sittings. At present members are burdened with committee work. A number of important Bills arc undergoing review, and in addition several special inquiries are under w.iy. The Lancs Committee is inquiring into charges of aggregation of land and also into a charge of maladministration in connection with a Cheviot section. The special committee appointed to inquire into recent appointments to the Westport Harbour Board will continue its sittings this week. VARIOUS GOVERNMENT BILLS. The Land Bill, the Prime Minister states, will not bo introduced probably for a week or two. The Bill to amend and consolidate the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act is ready, and will be introduced shortly. As has been indicated, this measure will break now ground by providing machinery for the settlement of industrial disputes in which unregistered unions are concerned. The Bill dealing with the affairs of the Bank of Now Zealand will not be brought down until the financial debate has concluded.