PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 45, 7 October 1911, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. RECEPTION OF VALUABLE RECORDS. (Per Press Association. ) Wellington, October G. The House met at 2.30. The Joint Library Committee recommended that the Parliamentary Library should have a department for the reception of manuscripts and other records connected with the early history of New Zealand, and that some provision should ire made in the Supplementary Estimates to assist in tiro collection of the desired materials The Committee urged that tire Government should favourably consider ■those proposals. Mr. Russell urged that the matter of securing a national historical collection was a most important one. The Government should move in the matter at onco. There wore numerous channels through which interesting and important documents could be secured for the country, and the matter should be pursued wit a the utmost expedition. Mr. Fisher said the Government should erect some suitable building for the reception of these works. The Hon. D. Buddo, in reply, said tho Department of Internal Affairs welcomed any additions of Historical works. LANDS FOR SETTLEMENT.

Tlio House went into committee to further consider the Estimates, the item lands-for settlement (£9446) being taken. Mr. Massey contended that, as tho accounts were presented, tno House had no chance of finding out how various acquired estates were being administered, and whether they saould be labelled credit or loss. Tho Hon. J). Buddo said the administration of estates was in the hands,of the Lands Department- The success of. an estate was not based on one year’s return. Mr. Luke thought the Government should be congratulated on t;ic fact that during tho past year 14,399 acres had boon acquired under the Lands for Settlement Act.

Mr. Fisher. asked, why the Government should make a rebate of rent to farmers and not to workers, who really needed it.

Mr. Isitt said a rebate of 10 per cent, to farmers who paid .their rent regularly was iniquitous. Under a 999 years’ lease a man. who was holding land at a peppercorn rental was saving 10 per cent, by paying up on due date.

Mr. Fisher moved tho reduction by £2 of the item for the land purchasers’ salary, as an indication that if 10 per cent, rebate were given to tho farmers it should be given to the workers. .1

The Hon. J). Buddo, in reply, said tho matter of rebates was based on tlie existing law. Further utterances of Ministers were drowned by a buzz of conversation among members. Mr. Eli 'said that married men could not go into the country to work as no provision Avas made for the housing of their Avivns and families. Under existing ■ circumstances, married labourers had to keep two homes going. Mr.. Rhodes said he would ulloav a country worker to advance step by step i till he had acquired the freenoid.

-noEJTENING.,SITTING.''' The House resumed at 7.30. Mr. Fisher’s amendment was ruled out cf order, and the total land for settlements amount was passed. STATE FORESTRY. , The State forests account (£23,397) was next taken. Mr. Scott moved a reduction of the salaries item as an indication that a scientifically trained expert should bo procured to take cliarge of the l State forests. Messrs. T. Y. Duncan and Malcolm considered a man with knowledge of Dominion requirements would be better. Mr. Fraser held that two prime necessities of the Dominion were afforestation and irrigation. The Hon. D. Bucldo, in replying, said 8 million trees were being planted annually. In this matter an ounce of experience was worth a ton of theory. If Mr. Scott’s suggestion were carried out it would be simply a. matter of importing a man to teach him his business. Mr. Scott’s amendment was negatived. and the total vote passed. DEFENCE MATTERS.

The committee proceeded to consider'the defence vote (£381,574). Replying to Messrs. Allen and Luke the Minister said there were twentythree officers in New Zealand from Home and a like number of New Zealanders at Home undergoing training! It was not at present intended that the Government should establish a small arms factory in New Zealand. The Hon. J. A. Millar informed Mr. Fisher that the Agricultural Department was buying all the horses required for artillery. The mounted corps purchased their own horses. He further stated that eight field batteries were, expected to arrive in New Zealand shortly. Replying to other questions, the Hon. J; A. Millar said there was not a man .getting less than 8s to 9s a day and quarters. The force was the most highly paid in the world. It was not the general principle of the Government to prosecute in cases of failure to register. There may be, ho added, special cases. Continuing, the Minister said the whole scheme of compulsory military training was a matter lof evolution. It was a big scheme, 1 and the way had to ho left as they went along. It was proposed to make a force of 30,000. There was not one man ovqr twenty-one being enrolled at the present time. Mr. Laurenson congratulated the Department on the initial success of the system. If he had twenty sons they would all ho in the force. The Rev Isitt said Parliament could not carry out the scheme. It had to bo carried out by the people. ibis was the first time in the Empire that any compulsory system of defence was instituted. Replying to Mr. Jennings, the Hon. T. A. Millar said the general training camp bad been abandoned, as it was impossible to take the men away fiom fcheir work for any considerable time. Camps would lie bold in the respective districts. . Replying to Mr. Guinness, the Minister said the Government was not 0-nno- to abandon prosecuting those who **failed to register. Each ease would he dealt with on its merits. To Mr. Wright, Mr. Millar said tj ie medical examinations bad been carried out to the satisfaction of the Commandant. _ To a further question, tno Munster said boys were only rejected when it was found they would not bencht from the training. Mr. Allen asked if the Minister was satisfied that the officers sent Horne were doing duties intended by i the Department. The Minister replied that a repoi t

had been requested, but had so fai not come to hand. The total was passed unaltered. STATE ADVANCES. New Zealand State guaranteed advances account (£479,502). was next taken. Mr. Hornes urged that advances should be made on mining leases. Mr. Poland moved a reduction of £1 in the salary of the superintendent of advances as an indication that the administration of the Department was not satisfactory. The Hon. J. A. Millar said the Advances to Settlers’ Board was working on business lines, and would not lend money unless security was there. The Board was acting as. a trustee, and would not advance one penny niece miles full security was given. Wellington, October 7. After midnight Sir Arthur Guinness asked why holders of land in mining districts wore called upon to eland tax and rating tax if tlic was, as the valuators stated, worth nothing. Mr. Poland said mining townships should be notified if the Government considered ■ they wore not woith grants. ■ , , " The Hon. J. A. Millar, stated tarn, the Advances to Settlers’ Board was entrusted with the expenditure of public money, and if a man could not show good security ho could not got money. Competent valuers wore employed, and money was lent in accordance with valuation ; but the Board was not going to lend mottey on property which was absolutely valueless. The Government, on the reports in its possession, would not be justified in advancing one penny ;n VVaiiii property. The-valuators had to report'whether districts were permanent, and if not there was no advance. The advances to settlers loan was greater last year than ever in the History of the Dominion.

• Tho vote passed. The State coal mines account, £268,715, mas then taken. Mr. J. Duncan moved the reduction of 1 the vote by £1 as an indication that the importation of coal should be discouraged. - . , , The amendment was negatived by 34 to 14. '■ After 2 a.m. the Scenery Preservation Account (£8850), Public,Trustee C£32,930), Government insurance (£63 249), Government Accident insurance (£7110), State lire Department (£15,937), Native Land Settlement Account (£359), mere pip through, and tho House rose at -i.oo, having finished the Estimates.