PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 39, 30 September 1911, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, (Per Press Association.) Wellington, September, 119. The Legislative Council met at 2.90 Tho I,'Vion ilv Societies Amen tm nt Bill was read a third time and passed. Tlio debate on the Hon. Ormond’s motion approving the land proposals of the Government was resumed by tho Hon. McCardle, who referred to t’no early efforts on the part of himself .Mr. R. Brown and others to secure land in the Forty Milo Bush by the formation of an association, but the members met with the refusal of tho Waste >■ Lands Board to grant good land to small settlers. This caused the disbandonment of the association. Subsequently the new deferred payment Acts of 1877 and 1879 made provision for such settlement, and lie urged that tho Government should now adopt some such provision as therein contained. He desired tho Government to financially assist the smaller men in the matter of erection of buildings, etc., on holdings. Tho Hon. McGowan held that they were going on the wrong lines. The Government ought not to part with any lands, but should resume every aero obtainable.

Tho Hon. Sinclair approved the proposals of the Government, as they would ensure the success of settlement.

The Hon. Paul thought the land policy might he more vigorously prosecuted. Referring to speculation, the speaker said if he had his way he would make it a criminal offence to speculate in land. Ho was disappointed with the proposals of the Budget regarding the increased graduated laud tax, but approved the Hon. Anstey’s suggestions on the subject as being on ,a scientific basis. Only by scientific graduated tax would satisfactory subdivision bo ensured.

The Hon. Wigram pleaded for hotter consideration to men who really desired to become bona fide settlers. He condemned the ballot- system. The Hon. George pressed thefnccossity of settling native lands in the North Island. He generally approved the graduated tax, but contended that it was unjust to put a graduated tax on land which no body wanted. Ho congratulated the Government on the settlement schra proposed.

Sir J. G. Findlay said the Govern-ment-appreciated the approval of so ■old a settler as the Hon. Ormond. He said the scheme as applied to the North Island would have a most farreaching and beneficial effect. The purpose of the. Government was to got. men with no moans at all placed upon the laud, so that they could found homes for themselves. Settlement with this end in view should go on contemporaneously with public works. . The Hon. Ormond having briefly replied, the motion' was carried, and the House rose. The Hon. C. H. Mills gave notice to move: “That members of the Connoil are dissatisfied with the crude, undignified and discourteous reply given by the Attorney-General yesterday to questions on the Order Paper respecting the Coronation invitations; also that the Council is dissatisfied with the curt refusal to lay on the table any papers, correspondence or cables relating to the matter, to which, the Council is entitled, and which refusal is an insult to the Council.”

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House of Representatives met it 2.30 p.m. The House went into committee on tho Estimates, Class VII., Justice Department, £376,830, being taken. Mr Rhodes asked that further consideration lie given to recommendations from members for appointments of Justices of tho Peace. Mr Fisher said the Attorney-General had stated in Ashburton that members were always consulted when appointments were being made. This he knew was net so. Mr Buchcanan said ho had never been consulted in this way, and he could not say he favoured the course. Tho Hen. J. Millar said a number of persons proposed for appointment bad not been appointed because they did not express their willingness to icccpt appointment. Some members recommended over twenty people foi ippointment in one electorate. At present there wore over 2000 Js’P. on the roll. At the present rate of additions it would not ho long before half the male, population was on the roll of Justices. The Crown Lau Office was doing its work well, and the Department may in future be extended to other centres. In the meantime the Government would adhere to the present system, which, successful, would he extended to other centres. . In reply to Mr Massey, tho Hori. Millar stated that ho understood tinWebster claims had been settled. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. 'i'ho House resumed at 7.30 p.m., the Justice Department Estimates being continued. In connection with tho vote for magistrates and wardens of courts, Mr Clarke drew the attention of Ministers to tho manner in which magistrates sometimes treated old men coming before them. Ho instanced the case of a man of 82 who was apph ing for a pension, and was crossexamined by- the Magistrate as if the oensionor were endeavouring to get i\ hat lie was not entitled to. Mi Laureuson said it would be a rood thing if the Minister got hm I'lider-Secrctary for Justice to I rep the magistrates a circular asking item to treat old ago pensioners will all cine ■onsidoration. Mr Clarke said lie was quite proI ,ii cc to give the whole particulars- of the case, which showed .Jiamclul treatment of an old man. The Hon. J. A. Millar said ih.ai T

the hou. gentleman f iirrii *id Inn w.t : . particulars he would e;-;i iro int« tlie matter. At the Prisons vote Mr Arnold asked that tho evidence taken in connection with an Auckland case recently should l>o laid upon tho table. A warder in that case had been dismissed, but 1m would like to know what was to bo done with tho man's chief. Mr Massey said it was a very great pity that these enquiries cue held in secret. Ho " q,eu the *.- in tin Auckland case would bo laid on the table as soon as possible, so that tho House could discuss the matter. The Hon. J. A. Millar said the report of the enquiry would bo laid on tho table.

At the Police vote several members urged that the police should receive an increase in pay, which at present was small, while the duties wore arduous and responsible. Air Herdman asked for an appeal tribunal for tho police. Mr Arnold paid a high compliment to the Under-Secretary of Justice for ins administration of the Pence Departmental. He was the right man in iho right place, but Air Arnold considered it desirable to hjivo a man of practical knowledge and broad experience to advise the Undor.-Si i votary in all practical matters concerning tlio administration of the police, and it would probably be necessary to‘send out of the Dominion to {-ocura such an c nicer.

The H «ii Millar, replying to .Mr Arnold’s suggestion of the appointment of a practical man lor the police, said it would only lie a matter of time when a man would have to be appointed from Home. I would, under the circumstances, be bettor to adopt such a course than to promote a member of the New Zealand sexvice. A man of wide experience would bo essential—a man who would also be an 'expert adviser. < Mr Massey said there was at least one man in New Zealand who was thoroughly competent to till the position. The Hon. Millar said they were going ou very well at present under the administration of the Under-Secre-tary of Justice, and there was no immediate intention of importing a man from abroad; The Justice Department vote passed unaltered. Class 8, Mines Department, £27,136.—Mr Okey spoke of the necessity of greater activity in the geological survey branch. The Minister said it was a question of finance. ... j Wellington, September 30. After midnight tiic mines vote was passed, and the Department of liivornal Affairs (£325,128) proceeded with. Mr Allen asked when the report of the Public Service Classification Board would he laid on the table. The Hon. D. Buddo said it was not ready yet. Mr Massey wanted to know whether steps were to bo taken to institute a system of registration of deaths among Maoris.

Mr Field said ho had urged the matter for years. - Native chilcdron were dying off, and no steps were taken to trace tho causes, or to combat the infantile diseases which the ignorance of Maori mothers were permitting to become more prolific in result. The Minister admitted that the system was incomplete. It was a difficult in at ter, but with the help of tho native Councils he hoped to bring about a system that would meet the difficulty. After 2 a.m., Mi; Herdman moved to reduce the amount of the electoral item by £5, as an indication that Tho present method of compiling the'oloctoral rolls was entirely unsatisfactory. Tho motion was lost on the voices. Messrs Malcolm and Jennings complained ot the difference between tho t'cctora! census methods in country an i town districts. The Hon. D. Buddo said there was m> house to house canvas in remote districts, and the work was done by posture tor- and appeared to have been dime satisfactorily. Mr Massey moved to reduce the vote for the High Commissioner’s office by £:• as an indication that the annual repot liy the High Commissioner should he laid on the table of tho House. . i Lost by 21 to 16’. Progress was reported at 4 a.m., and the House rose.