TO-DAY’S PARLIAMENT.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 3344, 11 June 1909, Page 5

TO-DAY’S PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Electric Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, June 11. The House met at 10.30 a.m. Air Herdman, in introducing his Bill dealing with the public service, said the' object was to remedy existing abuses. The service was stuffed with officials who were totally unable to carry out their duties. A public service hoard should he instituted. The unsatisfactory state of the police in Wellington was due to political influence.

The Premier denied the sincerity of tlie Opposition proposing reforms. They had made demands on the Treasury amounting to several millions. He denied that the retrenchment scheme was an admission that there had been waste in the past. The Main Trunk railway line liaa necessitated an enormous number of officers who were not needed now. If a non-politcal power was set up it would he like a J udge ol the Supreme Court and superior to The responsibility of the Government in the matter of retrenchment was great, hut it would put the financial position of flic country on a sound basis. He denounced the attempts made to create tlie impression that New Zealand was on the verge ot bankruptcy. Air Massey denied that the Opposition had attempted to damage the credit of tlie country. It was the actions of Ministers themselves. Mr Hogg had advocated papt, money. He defended Air Herdman’s action, and denounced the present system as vicious and corrupt. There was intense dissatisfaction with the railways, which were not paying, and it was political influence which interfered. He did not suggest going back to commissioners. There should always be a Minister of Railways. Messrs Fisher, Wright, AicLaien and the Hon. T. V. Duncan also spc*S©, auid the hill was then ordered to be read that day fortnight. The House rase at one o'clock.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. In tlie Legislative Council the Hon. J. McGowan moved the Reply to the Governor’s speech. He said he would refer to one or two points only. The Imperial Defence Conference was the most important ever held. He lauded the action of the Premier in offering a Dreadnought. New Zealand should btvproud of the genius of the man who had done the right thing at the right time. We should pay a fair share to the upkeep of the Navy. The Hon. C. H. Mills seconded the auuress. He said the New Zealand subsidy to the Navy was insufficient. Tlie Dominion was short of capital, and he advocated borrowing for legitimate purposes. The Hon. H. F. Wigram and the Hon. J. R. Sinclair supported the Dreadnought offer. The latter said the offer was worth more than its money value.

The Hon. C. Al. Luke welcomed and supported the Dreadnought offer. It was desirable tliat the Premier should go Home unhampered by the fear of what would happen to Parliament in his absence.

The Hon. J. Anstey endorsed the previous speaker’s remarks. He suggested the development of the natural resources to find employment for the workless. The Government had done noble work in land settlement, but more could he done. The Hon. W. W. AlcCardle heartily approved of the Premier going Home and the adjournment of Parliament in the interval. He looked upon the Premier as a great man, in whom every confidence should be placed. The Hon. Dr. Findlay, AttorneyGeneral, congratulated tlie mover and seconder on tlicir appearance in the Council. He was pleased at the unanimity regarding the Government p ropes;! Ls. Tlie motion was then agreed to and the Council rose till 2.30 p.m.