PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 55, 19 October 1911, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, October IS

The Council men at 2.50,

On the motion for the third reading'of the Guardian Trust and Executors’ Coni]>any Bill, tiie Hon. Mr. feamuol tooK exception to the resuscitation of a practically defunct company by an Auckland speculator, and its endowment with all the powers tnat should be given to a new concern. He appealed to the Council to refuse to kw suck a measure go through. Sir J. G. Findlay contended there were far more safeguards in the case of this company than there wore in connection with the Dunedin Company’s. Tne Hon. Mr. McGowan considered the Bill should never have been brought down at all. The Hon. Mr, lligg held that the system of giving special rights to private individuals or companies to exploit the public was wrong. It led to wholesale “boodling,” and ho hoped the Council would put its foot down and stop this sort of thing. After further discussion, the Bill was read a third time by 15 to 14. The Christchurch District Drainage Death Duties Bill was read a second time, and the Council adjourned until the evening.

EVENING SESSION. The Council resumed at 8 p.m. The Land Tax and Income Tax Bating Amendment, Shipping and Seamen’s Amendment, Methodist Church or New Zealand, University of Otago Council Bills were passed through all their stages. The Public Works Amendment and Auckland University College Amendment Bills wore read a second time. When the Public Works Amendment Bill was being taken, trie Hon. Mr. Jenkinson suggested that the proviso to the clause giving the Minister certain powers in regard to electric lines, should follow the ensuing sub-sections, so as to curtail the power of the Minister. Sir J. G. Findlay said he did not think the suggestion was material, but ho would consider it when tho Bill was in Committee. Progress was reported on the Auckland University Bill. Tho Methodist Church Bill was passed through the Committee, and t tho Council rose at 11.15. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tha Elsctoral Rolfs. Mr. Massey read a telegram ho had received from the Rev. R. S. Gray, Christchurch, as follows:—“Protest strongly against Government attempt to retain over thousand names on each electoral. roll of persons not found in district as a result of the electoral census and subsequently not found by registered letter; dirty rolls a positive danger, door wide/ open for impersonation.” Mr. Massey asked what stops were being taken to remedy the difficulty stated in the telegram. Sir Joseph Ward replied that ho had given definite instructions to registrars that names of persons who were not entitled to vote should be removed from the rolls. Mr. Gray’s statement was wanting in fact.

Mi*. Isitt said he was aware of an instance where the name of a dead man had boon restored to the rolls. Mr. Gray’s telegram suggested that registrars were still dubious as to what they should do. Sir Joseph Ward promised to repeat his instructions; to'*the "registrars, making them clear. Gaming 'Amendment Bill,. Mr. Jennings asked the Premier what was intended to be.dohe with Ins Gaming Amendment Bill. :• In his opinion the House would get no reply from the Racing Commission during the session Sir Joseph Ward replied that he had already promised that if the Racing Commission did not report this session, ho would provide an opportunity for the Gaming Bill to bo dismissed further. Answers to Questions. In reply to questions, the Minister stated that Sir John Findlay’s opinions expressed in Auckland in connection with native representation in the House; duties of citizenship, and use of their lands were his own private views, expressed in his capacity as a candidate. The Government’s attention had been drawn to one case of evasion of the law under the Commercial Trusts Act, and the case was being enquired into. The question of the substitution of commercial geography for French in the syllabus under the Civil Service examination regulations had been carefully considered, and no reason bad been seen for a change. A statement that the Government had “squandered money in bringing a whole ship to come from England in” was an impertinent fabrication, and absolutely untrue. It was, proposed to go into the whole ouostioii of the constitution of the Court of Arbitration during next recess. The Government was always ready to assist local bodies in giving every facility to consider the question of electrical or any other method of traction. The question of subsidising the construction of tram-lines to be electrically operated was worthy of consideration, but until the Government develops some large force of hydro-electrical power for transmission to suitable localities, it was doubtful whether it would bo profitable for local bodies to undertake the construction of small schemes with a view to the electric traction cf light tramways. EVENING SESSION.

Tlio House resumed at 7.30. The Guardian Tust Bill was ocrcivcd from the Council with amendments. Mr. Allen was not satlsifi'd wdh the Bill, which was designed to reinstate a company which had been defunct for 30 years. Mr. Isitt wanted to know if this was the company which had charged £SO expenses for administrating an estate of some £ll3. Mr Bollard (who was in charge of the Bill) said he know uxh'ng of the matter. Further discussion was deferred. Sir Joseph Ward moved that 1 ho House records its i.igh .-vu'-o of the faithful services 1 rendered to • Xcw Zealand by the late Mr J. S. Si.ants, ;'so the hit'-' Mr A * ' "l 1 : - The motion was seconded hy Mr Ma assy and carried. The Hon. I). Buddo moved the second reading of the Local Elections and Polls Amendment Bill, which provides that every elector who on the close of a poll is present in tho polling place for the purpose of voting shall ho entitled to receive a voting paper and exorcise his vote. The Bid was read a second lime. On tho motion to commit the Workers’ Compensation Amendment Bill, tho Hon. J. A. Millar explained that the now clauses provide for wives and children of deceased workers receiving reasonable and proportionate compensation ; also that where an action is commenced for recovery of compensation in respect of an accident happening out of Now Zealand, or in

! tho harbours of New Zealand, action shall, on the application of defendant, be stayed until plaintiff has given an undertaking not to institute any proceedings for the recovery of compensation or damages in other parts of tho Empire in respect to the same accident. Provision was also made to make proceedings taken outside New Zealand available as a defence to an action in New Zealand for the recovery of compensation. Another clause provided that in addition to compensation payable, a sum equal to reasonable expenses incurred in respect of medical or surgical attendance (including first aid) on a worker in respect of ins injury, but not exceeding £l. Sir Joseph Ward said a clause would he introduced into the Bill in committee bringing servants under the term of workers, so that they would get tho full benefits of the Act. The Rev. isitt and Messrs Luke and Drown congratulated the Minister on the introduction of the measure. Mr Poland urged the Minister to make provision ior relatives of workers killed in New Zealand but living away from the Dominion being able to claim compensation. Ho urged the State should take over the whole of the accident insurance in New Zealand.

On the motion to go into committee Sir Joseph Ward, replying to Mr Massey, 'said he hoped to get the Public Works Estimates through to-mor-row, and go through tho Mokau report on Friday. The Loan Bill. Sir Joseph Ward moved the second reading of the Loan Bill, which provided for £1,500,000 to give effect to the proposals in the Budget for public works expenditure. Sir Allen said ho was not opposed to reasonable loans, but what he did oppose was wasteful expenditure of borrowed money. Tho present cost of construction of railways was an instance. Railways should be taken into the back blocks and the cquntry opened up. He entirely agreed with tne policy of the present Minister of Railways, who held that railways should earn 4 per cent, and not percent., as did his predecessor, Mr Massey strongly objected to the way money voted for roads and bridges was dealt with. When money was voted-it should be expended. In connection with the development of water power, the Government was pursuing a dog-in-the-manger policy. He thought that if private concerns wished to pursue the matter, they should he allowed to do so. Local bodies, too, should be allowed similar privileges with regard to lands for settlement. The Land Department was not, doing enough for settlement purposes. Tho land in Kawhia district would supply the needs of New Zealand for the next two years. Wellington, October 19. After midnight, Mr. Lauronson, referring to Mr. Massey’s speech, said tho latter had delivered the same old speeches year after year. He was a political bully, and Mr. Allen a political nagger. Mr. Massey, he said, had no sense of proportions. Mr. Herries said the country should bo opened up by borrowed money, but the way this was done at the present time did not appeal to him. The present system of railway construction was distinctly wasteful. He complained of' the failure of the Minister to spend the moneys voted for mining districts. The Hon. R. McKenzie said the charge that there had been extravagance in public buildings had not been supported. There had been ho borrowing ; in the country save for public works urgently required. The development of hydro-electrical energy schemes would necessitate borrowing some live or six million pounds. Dir Joseph Ward, in reply, said Mr Allen had stated that he was not opposed Ap borrowing, but was opposed tq- wasteful expenditure, yet ho was one - .pf-tjie principal, supporters of the most '.wasteful expenditure—the Otago Central Railway. The contention that the North Island had beeli unfairly'” treated was incorrect. As a matter of 'fact there had been a far greater expenditure in the North Island than in the South. The railways of the Dominion were being carried on as quickly as possible, and yet the Opposition continually raised objection to this policy. N Wellington, October 19. After 2 a.m.. Sir Joseph Ward, continuing his speech on the Loan Bill, said the suggestion that population was leaving the country was really too paltry to answer. Within tho next few "months arrivals would probably reach two thousand. The Bill was read a second time. In committee, Mr Pearce moved to strike out “£200,000 for other public works,” as an indication that the borrowing was excessive-. Mr Laufenson twitted the Opposition with inconsistency, and said they should not accept items in estimates for their districts from borrowed money. Other members supported this view, and suggested that the vote for railways in Mr Pearce’s' district should he struck out. Mr Pearce said his amendment was an indication that the brake should be put on. Mr Fisher contended that the question was not of borrowing, but the way the money was expended.

' Sir Joseph Ward said an immense amount of nonsence was being talked about borrowing. He asked where a reduction was to be made in public works or railways? The amendment was lost by 45 to 8, those voting for it being Messrs Allen, Anderson, Guthrie, Hine, Nosworthy, Pearce, Scott and Wright.

On the motion for the third reading, the Premier said that members of the Opposition who voted for the Bill had affirmed the Government’s policy. The Bill was read a third time. The Premier announced the increased revenue for the year ending September 30th was £1,270,000. Tho House rose at 4.5 a.m.