PARLIAMENTARY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 7267, 21 July 1893, Page 1

PARLIAMENTARY.

(By Tblioeayh. ) WELLINGTON, July 20. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The Souse met at 2.30 p.m. ANSWBBB TO QUESTIONS.

In reply to questions it was stated that the Government could not give a pledge to afford facilities for discussing a motion for tbe purchase of the Wellington-Manawatu Bail way, but any bon. member could take his own opportunity to bring such a motion forward; (bat the period for granting a bonus for the exportation of fish had been extended for five years. THE FINANCIAL DEBATE. Mr Allen resumed the debate on tbe Financial Statement. Beferring to Mr Meredith’s speech of tbe previous evening, he said that Mr Meredith had placed a value on tbe Cheviot estate nearly 60 per cent, more than the Government had given for it. He heartily congratulated tbe House on the reappearance of Sir Robert Stout amongst them. He pointed out that Sif Robert’s speech on the previous night was a strong criticism of the Government policy, and in many points supported the arguments of the Opposition. After referring to the administration under the Grey Government, of which Sir Bobert Stout was a member, and defending the Atkinson administration, he went on to say that he agreed with the removal of taxation from improvements, but he could not look upon the increase inthe graduated tax in the same light. He criticised Sir Bobert Stout’e exposition of the doctrine of “ New Liberalism.” It appeared to him a sort of Socialism that could not be worked out. He thought that tbe lease in perpetuity was a disgrace to the colony, and that the cooperative system of labour was doing barm to the country instead of relieving tbe unemployed difficulty. Tbe estimates for the present year were higher than they had ever been, and so far from saving £63,000, there was an increase of £134,000. The Premier’s claim to have reduced the public debt of the colony was a sham, as it had been actually increased by more than half a million. He criticised at some length the public works policy of the Government, which, he thought, could not fail to end in disaster. His opinion was that the Financial Statement showed nothing hut

a hand to month polio/ from beginning to end.

Mr Fisher complained strongly of the action of the Government in opposing the production of several returns which ha had moved for, giving information of interest to the public on various subjects. ' The debate was interrupted b/the 6,80 p a* adjournment.

The House resumed at 780 p.m. Mr Fisher continued hie remarks. Be> ferrisg to Sir Bobert Stoat’s speech of the previous night, be said that the hon. gentleman in that speech bad opposed the graduated tax of the present Govern* ment, the exemption of improvements, and what he called the eternal lease of the Ministry. That proved to him (Mr Fisher) that there were going to be two Kings of Brehtford, and that daring the earning election Sir Bobort Stoat woald endeavour to attract members from the Govern* ment party. He referred to the poliey of the Ministry, and condemned them for their interminable interfetenoe with everybody in the name of democracy. If there was any surplus it wac the duty of Government to feed the education system, but Ministers invariably replied that there were □o funds for necessary educational works, and that proved that there was in reality ns surplus. The fact was that the Government were in a state of impeouniosity, and they could not carry on the work of the colony successfully. He, however, congratulated Mr Ward personally on the care with which he bad prepared bis Statement, and he would give him credit for having honestly tried to set before the country the true state of ite business. Mr McLean, after answering Mr Fisher In regard to several local matters mentioned in bis speech, and making extended reference to Mr Fisher's parliamentary career, said the Financial Statement was a great improve* ment on previous Budgets, as it showed the debit and credit sides clearly. It was a reflection on the Treasurer and the official! of the Department to say that the balance of £512,281 was not a correct one. It was, he believed, a pare invention of the enemy to say that the Civil Service was under a reign of terror, and he had the opinion of one head of a Department to the effect that the Service was never in a better condition than at present. He was in favour of the railwaye being placed under the direct control ef Parliament. He bad always been in favour of exempting improvements, bat he did not very much favour the graduated tax. As long as the Government pursued their present policy he would be found supporting them. Mr Wilson complimented the Treasurer on bringing down each a clear balance-sheet as he had submitted to the Bonee. He waa glad to find that an additional vote was proposed for surveys, as such expenditure was absolutely necessary in bush districts, but ha regretted that no proposals were made for dealing with the flax Industry, and that this staple product of the colony waa not adequately represented at Chicago Exhibition. Surely out of the surplus the Govern* ment might grant a bonus for tha encouragement of such an important industry. He waa entirely in favour of the removal of taxation from improvements. Mr J. W. Kelly moved the adjournment of the debate.

The motion was agreed to. The House rose at 1.25 B.m.