PARLIAMENT.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13775, 16 July 1913, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. '

[United Press Association.]

Wellington, July 1,5. I'll© House of Itopreseututives mot at 2.30.

The Hon James Allen gavo notice to sot up a committee to inquire into the working of. the Defence Act.

The Hon A. L. Herdman gave notice to introduce a Police Offences Amendment Bill.

The Hon A. T. Ngata was granted four days' leave of absence.

The Defamation Bill (Hon A. L. Jlerdman), and the Napier Harbour Board Empowering and Loan Bill (Mr H. M. Campbell) were read the first time.

Tho "Premier laid before the House the report of the Forestry Commission.

The Land, and Income Assessment Act Amendment Bill, and the Police Force Bill, were introduced by Governor's Message, and read tho first time on the motion of Mr G. M. Thomson.

Tho Minister explained the provisions of the former Bill, but his remarks were inaudible- in the Press gallery. The purpose of the Bill is to liberalise the terms of tho Act, the main provision being to extend tin limit of exemption to persons with families.

Mr J. B. Hine continued the debate on the Address jn-Reply. Ho contended that what New Zealand wanted was the settlement of the people on small areas. The Government was doing

that. The weakest spot in tne present and past administration of the Lands for Settlement. Act was tho pace at which roads providing access to the backblocks were made, aiid the condition of the roads. They were a disgrace, and he hoped that the Government would make strenuous efforts to find raoro money for the settlers in the backblocks, and to find a system for the provision of medical comforts for people in isolated places. He regretted that the Minister had not fulfilled his promise of last session with regard to nurses for the backblocks. Mr J. A. Hanan: The Government want stirring up.

Mr Hine: "They do want stirring up." Dealing with labour matters, he thought it should be made compulsory that the majority should rule in connection with the formation of unions. Dealing with banking matters, hr ed the Government would safeguard the interests of the Bank of New Zealand. The bankers' functions should bo extended towards the State. If the Government were wise they would make provision with some bank, if not the Bank of New Zealand, so that available funds could be invested at call. They should also have an agreement with tho bank under which they could, when emergency funds were needed, draw on tho bank without incurring the expense of underwriting. Mr H. G. Ell followed, and said he hoped the House would watch closely any legislation put through affecting the Bank of New Zealand. He sincerely hoped that tho matter would not be discussed on party linos, but that the interests of the people of the Dominion would bo properly protected. The matter should be looked at from a national standpoint. He criticised the proposal to increase the bank's capital, and in that respect contrasted .the institution with the banks of France, Germany, the Netherlands, and other countries, which ha showed had capital exceeding the Bank of New Zealand's proposed capital by very little, notwithstanding the enormous difference of its turnover and that of tho foreign hanks. There was not a man in the House but who desired to help the old shareholders or the bank. He did not think tho mortgage tax should bo repealed. If it were, it would do no good to. the borrowers of this country, but would only assist tho rich man. Ho believed the Public Service Commission would cost tho country thousands and thousands of pounds, and do no good at all. lne question of political influence in .connection with the Public Service was a silly, empty bogey. It never existMr F Mander advocated a tax on theatre and race tickets. He thought, when speaking on the national provident fund, that the spirit of the age was to look to tho State for everything. He regretted that fact. In his opinion tho Natives had not had justice done to them in the past In dealing with local government matters, no hoped something would bo done tniß session. Tho present position with re : gard to local government matters was most unsatisfactory. ■ . The House then adjourned and resumed at 7.30 p.m. , Tho Hon W. F. Massey said the place to find tho policy of the Government, was not in tho Governors Speech, but on tho second reading oi the policy measures. That was when the Government's policy would be found. Speaking of hind settlement, he claimed to know as much of pioneering as anyone elso. Ho was not afraid of the' result when his administration came to bo examined. He had found that there was a shortage of surveyors," and had met that shortago. Tile policy of tho Government was to put settlers on every acre of land fit to carry settlers. So far as the administration of tho Lands for Settlement Act was concerned, he could say that with only two exceptions every acre ho had bought had boen disposed of, and he had a telegram in his- possession offering to re-purchase at a profit of 25 per cent the much criticised purchase from Mr B.eetham, at Masterton. One of tho mistakes made in tho past in connection with land settlement was that they had not made sufficient distinction between the man who made good use of his land, and one who merely held it for speculative purposes, and if he was at the head of. affairs when the next change in the incidence of taxation took place he would see that that mistake was remedied, because the main purpose of tho Government 'was to increase the productivity of tho land, Land oi every class was available, arid some of the finest land in the Dominion was to be put on the. market in the courSo of a few days. Replying to Mr Russell he claimed that tho Government had carried out-its pledge by giving freehold, lby abolishing patronage in the Public Serviro, by giving pensions to the Maori war veterans, by putting the finance of the country on a sound footing, and by promoting settlement. He anticipated,that in four years large estates of over 10,000 woufd be reduced by at least 50 per cent They had promised to reform the Legislative Council, and they were doing it. They had now lull information before tho members on the finance of tho .country thrangh tho Finance Committee. He admitted that the expenditures increased during the year, but this was due to the growth of bis Departments such as the Old Ago Pensions, and Education, lne revenue increased at a-taucu greater ratio.,-Ho denied-any bargain between the Government and the. Bon 1. Mackenzie in connection with the # rug" Commissionership. He characterised as a mean slander tho statement that tho Government was fostering financial ■srtrinp-errcy in ardor to play into the hands of money institutions. He- de<-

fended tho Government sending police to Waihi, and read a letter signed by over 880 residents endorsing its action. "Mr. G. Laurenson claimed that the land placed on tho market for .settlement had fallen from 400,000 under the Liberal regime to 150,000. Tho recent loan was one of tho greatest blunders over perpetrated. Mr Massey, when in Opposition, had condemned tho , appointment of political rejects to the Council. When in office throe of tho four gentlomen appointed were rejects. Ho did not condemn the appointment-), but denounced the inconsistency." Dealing with the Public Service Avt, ho wanted to know why tho biggest branoh of the Public Service was not under what ho termed the "irresponsible; triumvirate." He attacked tho Gov-1 crnment for its attitude dining tho Waihi strike- Tho Minister for Justice stood aside whilo ono set of workers wont <it tho. throats of another. He eendamned the action of tho Government on appointing Mr. Royd Garlick without advertisement.

Mr. D. liuick commended the Government's legislative proposals. He pleaded for an agricultural .co'lleg© for ttho North Island". The Government had done a good action in giving small qrazing-nmholdprs a better tenure of their land. If the settler®, ■wore prepared to put their hands in their pockets and build light railways, they should bo encouraged. It would help the settlors and help tho Government. ; Mr VV. A. Veiteh nidved the adjournment of the debate, and the Hou3» adjourned at 11.10.-