N.Z. PARLIAMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3148, 15 July 1914, Page 31

N.Z. PARLIAMENT.

TUESDAY, JULY 7. The House met at 2.30 p.m. IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT. Leave was given to Mr Hindmarsh to introduce the Imprisonment for Debt Limitation Amendment Bill, and it was read a first time. RETURN OF BORROWINGS. Sir J. G. vVard wants a return showing the amount of money borrowed, in London during the last financial year other than by public flotation, giving the dates of same and the charges incurred under each heading, and for what p'urpose the money was borrowed; also, a return showing the increased amount of income tax paid, by public or private companies since the aleration of the rate was made by the present Government. PLUNKET SOCIETY SUBSIDIES. ,Mr /Reed would like to alter the system of payment of subsidies to branches of the Pmnket Society, and make t.iu payments in future direct to the branches of the society instead of paying through the local hospital and chamtable aid, boards. WEDNESDAY, JULY 8. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Mr Ha nan was granted leave to introduce the election of Ministers and Party Government Bill, and the Hon. Mr Fisher - was granted leave to introduce the Harbours Act Amendment Bill. A number of petitions were presented and notices of questions given. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. ' In reply to questions, Ministers said: A Bill would be submitted to Parliament this session dealing with the whole question of roads and bridges. The Government was not contributing to the expenses of Mr Davidge, representing the Town-Planning Association of, London, nor did it think it necessary to call a conference of local bodies to confer with Mr Davidge before he left the dominion. A Town-Planning Bill was now under consideration, and if time permitted it would bs submitted to Parliament. It was not proposed to make provision for a special defence tax. The question of freight to be charged for the conveyance of imported hardwood over the railways was now under consideration. In view of the increased cost of operating the Railway Department, the Government could not - see its way to reduce the fares for children between five and 14 years of age, or to raise the-age of those carried free. ; A satisfactory automatic signalling device had been designed for level crossings, and would be installed at busy railway crossings as opportunity offered. The question-of controlling the sale of •wine made by Austrians was receiving consideration. It _ was not proposed to provide military pensions for Maori war veterans who had not been under fire. The reciprocal tariff made with the Commonwealth Government by Mr Fisher could not bo ratified without the consent of the Federal Cabinet, and this was not so far forthcoming. ADVANCES TO TENANTS. Mr Forbes asked the Minister of Finance to-day whether advances were being ‘made by the State-guaranteed Advances Department to Crown tenants for the purpose of enabling them to take advantage of the In ehold concessions in the land legislation of 1812 and 1913. Mi Allen replied- Yes; advances are being made for this purpose. ADVANCES TO FISHERMEN. Mr Coates this afternoon asked the Ministej of Marine whether, upon the receipt of the report of Professor Prince on the fishing industry of New Zealand, the Government would entertain proposals to make advances to fishermen and to assist the industry, as was done m the matter of advances to settlers and advances to workers. Mr Fisher replied: When Professor Prince’s report is received it is proposed to consider the question of the Government making advances to fishermen to enable them to obtain boats and otherwise to assist them in carrying on the industries, as is cone in some other countries. MEMBER FOR GREY LYNN. Mr Payne, who was suspended during yesterday’s sitting for refusing to withdraw certain words used by him in reference to the Prime Minister, was in his place today His first action after resuming fds seat was to ask the Prime Minister whether he would move to have the Standing Orders bo amended as to allow any member of the House to make a direct charge of bribery and corruption against a Minister or Ministers or against the Government as a whole, without being liable to the censure of the House, it being open to the party or parties subject to a charge of bribery and corruption to take such action as may be

deemed necessary to cause any inquiry to bo made into such charges. THURSDAY, JULY 9. WELLINGTON, July 9 DISCOVERY OF GOLDFIELDS. A petition was presented to the House of Representatives to-day by the Hon. W. H. Hemes on behalf of Alexander Mackay. The petitioner claimed that he was the first discoverer of gold in 1866 at Waihi, on the ground now held by the Waihi Company, and also at Karan gahake, Waitekauri, and Owharoa. The Provincial Government, Mr Mackay states, offered a reward' in 1853 of £2OOO for a payable field 22 miles from Thames. In consideration of these facts, he considers that he is entitled to consideration as an applicant for a reward in fulfilment of promises made to him by the Government of that day: that as soon as the fields proved payable he would receive his reward. WAITARA HARBOUR BOARD CASE. A petition was presented to the House of Representatives yesterday on behalf of Mr Jennings, ex-member for Taumarunui. In April, 1913, the right of Mr Jennings to sit as a member of the Waitara Harbour Board, to which body he had been appointed by the late Government, was challenged by members of the board on the ground that he was not then on the Waitara Harbour Board roll. Later the Minister of Marine, after inquiry into the facts and consultation with the Crown law officers, called upon Mr Jennings to resign. Ho did not resign, and in December, 1913, Mr Jennings was cited before the Supreme Court. Judgment wont against him, and he had to pay all costs. He is now petitioning Parliament to be reimbursed for his expenses.

TAXES ON SPORTS GROUNDS. Mr Myers "to-day asked the Minister of Finance whether the Government would consider the advisability of exempting from taxation land and buildings used for bowling greens, tennis courts, etc., so long as the said land and buildings were given over solely to public recreation purposes, and members did not derive any pecuniary profit thereby. Mr Allen pointed out that grounds used for public recreation were already exempted from land tax by the Act which exempted all land owned by any person or s ciety and used or occupied by such person or society solely as a site for a public garden. public domain, public recreation ground, or other reserve. He did not think it wise to extend this privilege to persons or private institutions. CHARGE AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT. Mr J. C. Thomson, in the no-oonfidence debate, condemned the Government generally for being the friend of the moneyed classes, and for being responsible for the increased cost of living. Why,, he eaid, even the price of tobacco had gone up since the Government took office, and a man now had to pay ninopcnce for a hair cut. Everywhere there was evidence that the Government was increasing expenditure instead of reducing it. The country was being overrun by boards and experts. One could not get on to a railway train now without being met by an expert of some kindt Expenditure was being piled up, and there were proposals to increase- it still more. He would like to know where the reform came in. LAND FOR SETTLEMENT. In reference to a question asked by Mr Buxton about the Government purchasing 4000 acres of land recently offered in South Canterbury (the block consisting of four adjoining farms), the Prime Minister to-day stated that the block referred to was inspected some time ago, but the prices asked were considered -too high. Just lately an area of 6800 acres had been purchased, in South Canterbury. The matter of the establishment of experimental farms had been referred to the Board of Agriculture, and would bo dealt with as soon as the board’s advice was available. RESERVATION OF FORESTS. The subject of the Waipoua forest was referred to this afternoon by Mr G. M. Thomson. He protested _ against the . proposal made by the commission that an area of only 200 acres should be reserved, although ho admitted that such reserves were liable to damage through fire. FRIDAY, JULY 10. The House met at 2.30. THE GAMING BILL. On a request by Mr HUNTER the second reading of the Gaming Bill was postponed from Wednesday, 29th mst., until August 5. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS. The reports of the Public Trust Office and Police Force wore presented. Mr RUSSELL pointed to the fact that the Cabinet had, without consulting Parliament, increased the pay of every man in the police service by £lB 5s per year. Ho did not object to the increase, but it was done in a most unconstitutional and im-

proper’ way. In order to sweeten the men the Government had trampled upon the rights of the Constitution. Mr HERDMAN said that apparently Mr Russell opposed the meting out of justice to the men. In 1911 a previous Government had increased the pay of the police by 6d per day. If the Liberal Party did this, why did he complain ? He had found since taking office that if they were to get the best men into the ranks of the force an increase in* pay was advisable. Nothing unconstitutional had been done. It was open to Mr Russell to move a reduction of the police vote. Contentment prevailed in the force. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS DISCUSSED. The remainder of the afternoon was spent in discussing Ministers’ answers to questions. SESSIONAL COMMITTEES. At 7.30 p.m. the usual sessional committees were set up. VICTORIA COLLEGE BILL. Mr ALLEN moved the second reading of the Victoria College 8.11. lie said the Bill had been introduced last session in much the same form, but was dropped in the Council because tile Board of Governors was' not anxious to have it passed. The principal alterations were in the name,, which it was proposed to change to Victoria University College, and in tUo constitution of the board by eliminating representation by members of the House and granting representation to the Professorial Board. It was proposed to increase the representatives of the Court of Convocation —one representative of the Wellington City Council, two representatives of the secondary schools, and two of public school teachers. The second reading of the Bill was carried on the voices after some discussion. The House adjourned at 11.5 p in. LIGHTS ON VEHICLES. Commissioner Cullen suggests that “ The Police Offences Act, 1908,” should bo so amended os to compel the drivers of all vehicles to keep good, lights burning on their vehicles whenever in use in any road, street, or other public place between the hours of sunset and sunrise. Many serious accidents, some of which have proved fatal, have occurred of late, and probably these mishaps would not have taken place' had. the vehicles which caused the accidents been provided with sufficient lights. AUSTRIANS AND THEIR WINE. Commissioner Cullen, in his annual police report, mentions the fact that in the Mango mil Coufity, in the extreme north of the dominion, a number of Austrians make and sell wine, ana some of these winc-produoors have established, depots for i-he sale of the wine at all iemote gum-digging" camps throughout that district. The producer is allowed by law to sell his wine in quantities of not less than two gallons at any one time, but it appears that wine is sold from these depots by the bottle, and that it is purchased by both Maori and European gum-diggers, tbe Maori women being supplied as well as the men, and that frequent drunken orgies are the result. It is very difficult for the police to get sufficient evidence to justify a prosecution owing to the reluctance of any of the persons living in these camps to give evidence against the offenders. The wine sent to these camps is mostly composed of a cheap, raw spirit mixed with newly-made wine, the drinking of which concoction is said to drive the consumers mad for the time being. The commissioner recommends that legislation be passed prohibiting the sale of Now Zealandmade ' wine at any place except at the place where it has been produced, and on licensed premises. This would at once do away with the depot evil on the gumfiolds. THE PUBLIC BAR. Section 4 of “ The Licensing Act, 1908,” defines a “ public bar ” in licensed premises, but.it is very doubtful (says the Commissioner of Police) whether 20 per cent, of the present licensed promises have a public bar as defined by the Act. In most cases the doors which originally opened immediately from the bar to a street have been built up, with the result that nearly all bars now open into a passage in the hotel premises, and have no door opening immediately on to a street. The police do not object to the view of the bars being shut off from the street—indeed, it is better that this should bo so, —but as certain offences may be committed in a bar for which those who commit them cannot be punished so long as they are committed in one not opening on to a street, it may, he suggests, be well to amend * the definition of a public bar to mean “ any place in any licensed promises in which liquor is sold or kept for sale.” This would apply to private as well as public bars. v POLICE IN THE COUNTRY. The present strength of the police force is not sufficient adequately to police certain cities and, country places. Lbcal bodies, private citizens, and officers of the police force make frequent appeals for more police, especially in North Island centres, where the population is increasing rapidly. Commissioner Cullen is asking that provision be made on this year’s Estimates for increasing the force by an additional 50 constables, and if this number is provided for it will bo possible to meet the more urgent police needs of many localities " SLOT TELEPHONES. Interesting information regarding the use of coin-in-the-slot telephones was supplied by the Postmaster-general to the House of Representatives to-day. The revenue derived for the financial year ended March 31 from the machines was £2633, and the number machines installed at the end of the year was 93. The revenue for April was £338, for May £317, and for Juno £323. The average takings per machine for April was £3 13s fid, and for May £3 6s. The number of machines in operation on June 30 was 99. Instructions have been issued for the installation of machines as quickly as possible at eight sites in Auckland, eight sites in Christchurch, five sites in Dunedin, three sites in Nelson, and eight sites in Wellington. The estimated total cost of these new machines is £4691. PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE. The net profits of the Public Trust Office for the year were £29,222, or £230 above the previous year’s profits. With the growth of business,- salaries have increased from £15,772 in 1909 to £32,837 in 1914 The report, which is signed by the Minister in charge of the department, says that in order that estates may share in the prosperity of the office, the common fund rate of interest has been raised from 4g per cent, on the first £3OOO, and 4 per cent, on the excess to 4g per cent, on the first £6OOO and per cent, on the excess. Moreover the new scale applies to local bodies’ sinking funds, which formerly received only 4

per cent. These increases amount approximately to £3OOO a year, and came into operation on April 1. The Minister says that under powers conferred by last year’s Act the Office Board has been strengthened by the appointment of two non-service members. The gentlemen selected were Mr G. E. Tolhurst, for many years chief inspector in New Zealand of the Union Bank, and Mr W, G. Foster, managing director of the Wellington Meat Export Company. These gentlemen have special knowledge of finance and of stock and station matters, and he is satisfied that their presence on the board will not only bo of- great assistance to the Public Trustee, but will also do much to strengthen the confidence of the public in the office administration of the largo and important interests entrusted to it. SCENERY PRESERVATION. The annual report on scenery preservation, presented to Parliament to-day, shows that 3000 acres have been reserved during the year. This brings the total area of scenic reserves m the dominion to a little over 214,000 acres, comprised m 35(5 different reserves. The great bulk of this land is very hilly and unsuitable for settlement purposes, except in very large areas at low rentals, whilst the retention of land in a state of Nature greatly benefits settlement by assisting to conserve water, protect soil, and prevent denudation. From a national point of view, it is advantageous to have areas such as are included in these reservations under forest.

MONDAY, JULY 13. THISI WEEK’S BUSINESS. This week’s proceedings in the House are not likely to excite very much interest, as the probabilities are that neither the Licensing Bill nor the Bible-in-Schbols Referendum Bill will come up for consideration before next week. The Legislative Council will resume its sittings on Wednesday, when the new appointments to that body will probably bo announced. DEPUTATION CRAZE.—FIXING A TIME LIMIT. The belief in the theory of government by deputation is apparently very strong- just now. Since the session opened, Ministers — particularly the Prime Minister—have been besieged by a continual stream of deputations. Up to this evening now fewer than four had been fixed for various times tomorrow morning. The serious inroads that these deputations make on his time at such a busy period has led Mr Massey to give one or two mild hints against long, drawnout speeches. One evening last week he warned a party of people who had come along to present in person certain resolutions from a conference —all of which resolutions had appeared already, or would appear the next day in the mess —that they must make their speeches brief, as that was the sixth deputation he had received that day. On Saturday, when a formidable array of opponents of the Bible-in-schools proposals ranged themselves round his table, ho informed them that he had found it necessary to put a time limit on deputations, as he had found that they took up so much of his time that ho could not get through his ordinary work. Ho proposed, therefore, to limit the deputation to half an hour. As it happened, he did not enforce his rule rigidly, but he candidly expressed his satisfaction' when the speakers had finished. The Prime Minister wastes no words or time in his replies to deputations, and the latter would do well to take a lesson from him in conciseness.