HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Colonist, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11736, 19 September 1906, Page 4

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2. 30 p.m. The Church Property Trust Amendment Bill, and RomanUatbolic Bishop of Auckland Empowering Bill were read a second time.

Leave of absence to Mr Lewis was given for four days, and to Mr F. W. Mackenzie on urgent public business.

The first readings of the following Bills were taken :— Otago Presbyterian Church Board Property ,Consolidation Bill, Onßlow Borough Drainage Empowering Bill, Petone Borough Streets Bill. The Premier moved the usual supper adjournment at 9.30 p.m. be discontinued in the remainder of the session. He held that the experience of the last few weexs amply justified the new departure, adding that there was no mention of rising at eleven, because he felt sure if due diligence were observed all business in future would be over ty 11 o'clock. If by any mischance business were ever obstructed *hey would, of course, have to sit beyond that hour. Mr W. Herries was sorry that the motion had been brought forward in the absence of so many members of both sides of the House, and was careful to say if there never would be any obstruction from his sido of the House. The motion was agreed to. The Fire Brigades Bill, the Payment of Jurors ' Bill, the Habitual Criminals Bill, and the Horowhenua Block Amendment Bill were read a third time. The Maori Land Claims Adjustment and Laws Amendment Bill (in committee) passed through with amendments. The adjourned debate on the second reading of the Advances to Settlers Amendment Bill.was proceeded with,, knd Sir Joseph Ward, in replying, promised to consider if the provisions of the measure could not be extended to the Maori people,, and -fehanked hon. members for the reception accorded the Bill, which was then read a second time. Sir J. Ward moved the second reading of the Tourist and Health Kesorts Control Bill, and explained that the Bill was chiefly a machinery Bill for the 'better and more uniform control of the tourist system. Mr Herriea thought it was a pity the Bill did riot go farther, and get

a chance of doing useful work. He considered that the waDt of organisation and discipline required a radical change in the management of the whole Department. The chief want was of concentration and unification of authority. Criticising the management of Rotorua, he said that it would be much better if the place

were made a municipality. Mr Hogg urged that there should be more protection for beauty spots, and thought that the tourists, who think of nothing but sport and pastimes, ought not to be encouraged to the detriment of the producing interests which deserved first con-

sideration. He thought more ought to be done at Rotorua and other sanatoriums for the old and the

infirm people of the Colony. Mr Alison asserted that the tourist traffic was very valuable to the Colony. He denied it was in any way demoralising. Mr Ell protested against the indiscriminate introduction of wild animals for the attraction of tourists, and advocated the protection of the native bird life of the country.

He admitted in answer to an interjection of the Premier, that New Zealand has done more than any other place in the World in this matter, but while congratulating the Minister, he thought the protective measures should go very much further.

Mr Wilford urged the Government to buy the "Spa" at Taupo, and the Wairakei district, because tourists were now prevented by local jealousies from seeing both these places which are the most interesting in the whole thermal districts. He •also urged the Government to take over the launches on the lakes, and bring down the charges which are at present prohibitive. He onticised discrepancies in the salaries of officers of the Tourist .Department. Mir Bennett wanted more free beds. Mr Greenslade wanted better roads to the Waitomo Caves. Mr Flatman feared the introduction of noxious animals, such as the brown bear, and hoped there would not be any oppressive game law. Mr Fraser reminded the Mouse that the Bill is a merely administrative measure, and the fact did not justify reference to all the bogs, and blow holes of the country. The Premier, in reply, pointed out that tnere seemed to be much misapprehension about the Tourist Department, which was not responsible for the introduction of deer, and had nothing whatever to do with foreshores, or with annexing springs and other things. There was an idea of gross extravagance, but the cost of the Department was £4000. Ic earned £16,C00, and the lowest etsimate of the annual tourist expenditure was set down at *350,---000. The Tourist Department had never asked for the introduction of a single wild animal. As for free beds, the Government had as much sympathy for the poor as any member of the House, and had done a good deal for them in this very matter, and hon. members might have said so while they were about

The House resumed at 7.30. The Premier, continued his remarks about Rotorua. He said that when the Tourist Department toot up Rotorua it was actually valueless. Since then much money has been spent on the water supply, lighting, drainage grounds, im. v>vernents to various springs, streets, riads and bathing establishments. 'ULc Rotorua people had the benefit of all these things, and had never had to pay a rate. For his part he thought they ware very lucKy. Hia hon. friend who represented the place wanted the whole of the benefits to be handed to the citizens without their paying anything or being rated or pledging themselves in any way. He didn't blame the hon. gentleman, on the contrary, he commended him for playing a game understood by both sides, but the House must not take it for criticism of Rotorua, which was a very up-to-date place indeed. Referring to Mr Donne, he spoke of what that gentleman had done and told the House that he had received several offers from Australia and America at better salary, m one caso ««.»»-«•*« to l2uu a vear> The Juvenile Offenders' Bill was received from the Legislative Counci with amendments, and consideration was deferred to next sitting day. The Sale of Explosives Bill was received from the Council and read a first time. The second reading of the Town Districts Bill was moved by the Premier, who said it waß greatly needed. Mr Thomson supported the Bill as putting an end to'dual authority and thus securing the maintenance of the main road passing through the town districts. Mr Fraser and Mr R. McKenzie denounced the Bill as likely to enable small hamiets to create country rates and prevent tbe maintenance of country roads. Mr Field contended that there would be hardship but the Bill would on the whole be very beneficial. He pointed out that the provision making 50 householders neces sary to the formation of a town district was quite good enough a safeguard against the evils feared by the previous speakers. Mr Ell suggeted giving these districts the municipa franchise. Mr Mills regarded the Town Districts as Municipal education. Mr Flatman knew town districts which had been rated by County Councils, which had not spent a penny of their rates within their boundaries. Mr Rutherford supported, and Mr Herries opposed, both from the country point of view, and the latter pointed out the conflict of road by-laws sure to follow the unlimited formation of town districts. The Premier, in reply," said that if there were any thing in tbe arguments employed, no municipalities would ever be evolved from a county, where, as a matter of fact, there were a great many. One hon. gentleman who opposed the bill, had a Counties Bill in his pocket. Others had asked for a Local Government Bill, and they always opposed such a measure. He told the House tbat the Local Government Bill would be I down this session, but could not be expected to go through. He appealed to hon. members to say whether this Districts Bill, which was asked for far and wide, ought to be kept back for the other. The Bill was read a second time on the voices. Local Authorities Subsidies Bill— The Premier moved the second reading, and explained that the Bill limits the subsidies to be annually paid to local bodies to £100,000, to be allocated on the principle of the higher the rate (all the rates together), the higher the subsidy. Mr T. Allen feared the Bill would not provide the desired effect, and urged its reference to a Committee. He agreed that the old practise was very unfair. Mr Barber objected that the maximum for boroughs of £350 was too low, and pointed out' that tbe aggregate limit might make the individual limit much lower in practise. Wellington would lose £10 a year at least. Mr Symea said the local bodies would suffer smilarly. . j Mr Remington calculated that in the Rangitikei County there would be a loss of £350. The Premier interjected that Mr Remington was wroog, as the old subsidies were much less than he placed, them. Mr Massey thought the County Uofcncils woutd all get less under the Bill. He thought that the subsidy began too soon (one farthing rate) and ended too soon at six farthings. (A voice: It ought to be twelve. ) Mr Massey agreed with twelve. He urged the reference of the Bill to a Committee.Messrs Izard, R. Mackenzie, and b'isher opposed the Bill on the same grounds. Mr Ell urged that under the Bill more money would b Q divided — £100,000 as against £83,000 of last

year. He v ou ld nob Rive any subsidy to any local body raising less than a penny rate. After further discussion, the Premier, in reply, showed from a return that no local body had ever received more than £2000 in the past/, and that therefore there would be no reduotion. The large cities would certainly suffer, but to declare that all round there would be a reduction, in face of the £100,UW limit, was to beat the wind. He saw no ambiguities or difficulties, but he would be quite prepared to submit the measure to a Committee, in view of its importance, and he would give notice *of the Committee the next day or the day after. The second reading was passed on the voices, and the Premier gave formal notice of the Committee. The Training Ships IBM.— The second reading of this Bill brought down from the Legislative Council, was moved by the Premier, who explained the provisions briefly. There was a brief discussion, and the second reading was carried on the voicess. The Coal Mines Act, Bill was read a second time pro forma, and referred to the Goldfields and Mines Committee. The House adjourned at 10,20 p.m.