THE ESTIMATES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9484, 23 July 1902, Page 2

THE ESTIMATES.

AN ALL-ROUND DISCUSSION.

INFORMATION SOLICITED AND OB

TAINED

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, this day. Last evening the House went into Committee of Supply for the consideration of the Estimates. Tiie rules of debate allow an all-round discusston on. what is known as the "First item," and this was, as usual, taken* full advantage of. At the outset Mr Miissey recommended, in view of the present drought, in Australia, that this was- a favourable opportunity for a reciprocal treaty between New Zealand and the Commonwealth. The Acting-Premier agreed that this was an important matter, and said that it had not been overlooked by the Government, but nothing could be done until the Federal Tariff had passed the Federal Parliament. The Government attached the utmost importance to the question of a reciprocal tariff with Australia., and had-no doubt that such a tariff could be effected with advantage to both countries. As for the prospects of markets in South Africa, he was inclined'to think that there would be a. good opportunity for getting our products into that country. Mi- Hornsby objected, as he had done on previous occasions, that there was a gentleman receiving £250 per annum as assistant clerk in the Legislative Council who was a station-holder, and he thought it discreditable that a man of means should disqualify a poor man from obtaining a livelihood. As a protest against the Legislative Council expenditure beiuoput down ni a lump sum, he moved that the item be reduced by £1. Sir J. G. Ward dissented from the doctrine that because a man possessed private means he should be. debarred from earning Government money. Mr "Hogg took the same stand as Mr Hornsby, saying that Mr Moore, the officer m question, was a wealthy man. The amendment was rejected on the voices.

Information as to the position of the Imperial guaranteed debentures, was solicited by Mr Tanner and Mr J. Allen, and m reply Sir J. G. Ward said the £400,000 referred to by the member for. Bruce was in the Treasury on. the 31st March 'n!,™ ™s not hypothecated. The other £400,000 of the £800,000 Imperial debentures was m tlie hands of the Post-office Complaint was made by Mr Witheford that the Government were buying land in the bouth Island at. boom prices for settlement purposes, while neglecting the vast tract of Crown and native lands in the North Island. He also appealed to the Government, to complete railway communication between Auckland and Wellington before proceeding with other railway lines.

Mr J. Allen drew attention to the fact that there was no vote on the Estimates for the South African, service, which led him to believe that the Government were not in earnest in developing that trade. He also wished information with respect to the colony's subsidy to Australian, naval- defence.

Mr Napier hoped that as a result of the Premiers' Conference the subsidy would be increased. With the exception of the Royal Arthur, none of the vessels were sufficiently up to date. The Acting-Premier explained that the necessary authority for the payment of the Australasian squadron lapsed last year, and the amount had to be paid for out of unauthorised expenditure. He had hoped to lay the papers with respect to South African t—de on the table that day. The position, was this: A contract, had been accepted with the Blue Star line for a monthly service of 13 knots, the steamers to be allowed to call at two Australian ports- if they did not get a • full cargo in this colony and at West. Australia, In any case West Australia was to be a. mandatory port of call, as the Government wanted a direct service with that country. There were two tenders, but the other one, would have only a nine or ten knot service, and the .thirteen knot service would costover £1000 less per trip than the other one. The contract with the Blue' Star Line had been handed over to the colony's solicitors, but up till Saturday it had not been finally signed. Personally he was veiy doubtful about the contract being signed, though he hoped it would be. Mr Massey asked whether the House would be given an opportunity of discussing the matter before, the contract was signed? Sir J. G. Ward replied that if the tenderer signed the contract this would be definite and final. The Government wanted to know the real position before putting a vote on the Supplementary Estimates.

In reply to Mr Bucklo, the AeUng-Piem-ier said that the steamers would be provided'with cool storage. As a member of an Education, Board, Mr Buddo criticised the increased cost, of education, caused by the tendency of the Department to take up much of the work done previously by the Boards. In England the School Boards were entrusted with the administration. The. failure to provide funds for teaching sowing in the schools was an. undoubted blot. Amid encouraging "'Hear, hears" he expressed the opinion that the Minister of Education should be a member of the House of Representatives, and declared his intention when the Education class was under consideration of returning to the. charge).

Mr T. McKenzie agreed with the. strictures passed on the Education Department, and found fault with the beggarly £300 provided for the introduction; of big game, while some £6000 was set down for cables to England for the purpose of lauding the services of some person. The Defence vote wanted reducing materially, and £15,000 a year was excessive for defeuce purposes. While he was a believer in the volunteer system, he objected k> the attempt to saturate the. colony with militarism. The sooner the. young men who had returned from South Africa were given to understand that they were expected to return to their former avocations the better.

Stress was laid by Mr G. W. Russell on the fact that while £400 was voted last year for encouraging swimming in public schools, only £100 was provided this year.

Defence was attacked by Mr Collins, who pointed out that five, years ago the amount usually allocated was £68,000, while now the vote had swelled to £189,000. The efficiency or .effectiveness of the volunteers should not be. cut down, but a standing army or a military class ought not to be kept up. Mr Meredith and Mr Ell joined hands with thuse members who. demanded that the Minister of Education should be a member of the House, and the junior member for Ghristchuroh intima.lod his intention of giving members an opportunity later oik of voting on the question. After tho telegraph office closed discussion on the first item of the Estimates continued at considerable length. Eventually the item was. agreed to, and progress was reported. The Huu&e rose at 1.55 a.m.