PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 137, 4 July 1901, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

(PBR PRESS ASSOCIATFON.) • LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, July 3. The Council m«t at 2.30 p.m. FIRST READINOS. The following Bills wero introduced ', by the Miaister for Education and ri-ad a first time: —Hospital Nurses Retis- ( tration Bill, School Attendance Bill, Shops and Offices Bill. ' f, GRAND HOTEL FIRE. Hon. E. J. Shrimski gave notice to 48k if the Government intends to offer a reward for information leading to tbe conviction of any pewon guilty of setting fire to er assisting in setting fire to.the Grand Hotel at Auckland. ADDRESSES-IN-REPLY. Hon. J. Kerr moved tbe Address-in-Reply. He referred to the uplifting influence en the nation of the late Queen, and her sympathy with the poor. New Zealanders were in perfect sympathy with the new King, and their loyalty had besn magnificently shown during the visit cf the Duke and

Duchess of Cornwall and in the present war, which ho hoped would soon be over. Wise legifhtion hid warded off the bubonic plague, and the Health Act, whiuh was one of the Government's b.-sfc Acts, should be strictly enforced. He supported tbe establishment of a State coal mine, and congratulated Si' Joseph Ward on the introduction of penny postage. He supported the Government's fire prevention proposals, and considered that the employment of night watchmen at hotels should be made compulsory, even if hotel keepers had to receive a compensating concession in another way. Dredging had bean completely successful in Olago, and he was confident that it would also be so on the West Coast; and he commended the making of diiectowequally liable with shireholders of mining er dredgiog companies for payment of calls. Hon. J. Feldwick, in seconding the Address, referred to the behaviour of eur contingents in South Africa. The excellence of our volun eer force, as shown at the Royal reception*, and especially the display of mounted troops and the part taken by New Zealand in fighting the Empire's battle had the approval of ewry man worth calling a man in New Zetland. Hon. J. M. Twomey, speaking in support of tbe Address, piotested against the senseless prejudice,agiiis' the acceptance of a knighthood by hon. gentlemen who had-s rved the r country well. He hoped the 'State would make provision in th« interests of farmers, and that the police superannuation scheme would be extended to all civil s;rvantß. All the speakers conpratulated the hon. Speaker (Sir Hy. J. Miller), Sir John McKenzie, and Hons. W. C. Walker and A. J. Cad maw on the honours conferred on them. • Hon. W, 0. Walker briefly repliod, and the Addref s-in-Reply was adopted. The Council rose at 4 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The House met at 2.30 p.m. . LICENSING LEGISLATION. A large number of petitions were presented protesting against proposed licensing legislation of last 8 ssion. IMPERIAL TROOPS ASD AOYAL VISIT. Mr. A. R. Bircl»y gave nnuoe to move for a return showing the cost to the co'ony of visits of the Imperial and Indian troops and the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall. SELECT COMMITTEES. Hon. R. J. Se don gav* notice to move for the appointment of a Select Committee of teo members to ennside. the Old Age .Pensions r< gula iocs, and also for a Select Committee to the Local Givernment Bill. NOTICE OF NEW BILLS. Mr. F. Lawry give notice to introduce a Gaming and Lo teries Bill, and Mr. J. T. M. Horisby to introduce a Prevention of Employment of Women in Dangerous Trad s Bill. LEAVE OF ABSENCE.

Mr. E. M. Smith waa granted leave of absence for one month on account of urgent private buainets, and Mr. J. Bollard was ielievdd from attendance for one week on recount of illness. FIRST READINGS. A large r umber of Bills' w*re introduced and read a time, including Elective Executive Bill; State School Children's Compulsory DM Bill ; Libel Bill; Settlers' Fire Insurance Bill; Bight Hours Bill; Referendum Bill; Rating! n Unimproved Values Ac Amendment Bill; Cycle Board Bill; Shop* and Shop Assis'ants Act Amendment Biil ; Riryc'e Dea'en Registration Bill; Chinese Immigran'x Act Amendment Bill; Fir Rent Bill; Orchard and Garden Pests Bill; Public H alth Act Amendment Bill; Accidents on Railways 0 mptnsat'oß Bill; Government Railways Superannua i-n Bill; Young Protcctio'n B11; Factories Bill; P. lice Offences Amendment Bill; and Absolute Majority Bill, WRITS FOR NEW ELECTION'S. On the mo'ion of Kun. R J. Seudon the Speaker whs directed to issu* writ:fo.- the r.tuin of new members for Übristchurch and Pa'ea ele:toiates. QUESTIONS. > In reply to several quest'ons it was etat d that a Bill was being prrpand <o rate'; the difficulties of bush setters who are now compelled tupty rentano taxes on the whole of tt-eir sections from the date of select on, by exempting the<n from paying rent until a portion of th. ir sections in cleared an I grasped ; that three free be< J e were being set apart at Haom r Springs for the use i>{ impecunious invalid**; that the Goverumen' h id the option of purchasing the four Hotchki-s guns promised by Lord Arms'rong's firm to the colony, but (he Commandant had advis<d the Government against the purchas°, and that even as a gift the guns would n-it have been worth taking; that a regulation was b-ing prepared rdattve to the weight of sacks of wheat carried on the railway. "NEWTOWN PARK 80*NDAL." Mr. Monk asked the Premier if he would app tint a Parliamentary Committee to enquire and report on o >m pi tints m ids by volunteers respecting their trea'men f , resulting in what i« known as' the ''Newtown Park Scandal," and also with respect to the language said to have been addressed to them by Color el Penton. Mr. S-:ddon said this quest ; on presented several difficul ies. First of all there was an alleged breach of contract by the contractor for the supply of food to the camp, which wjs a matfor Magi-terial iove tigation. Certainly he would not p*y for food and service that hid not bean forthcoming. In the second p'ace it appeared ih.t! s me of the vdunteeis had to conducted themselves as to warrant en-' quiry under the Defenos Act, 'The complaint of the mm had never oame

befu o i im (Mr. Seddon) or the Commandant. He iuUa-kd to appoint a Miliary Board (one of whom wjuld be Colonel Pitt) to enquire into and deal with this phase of the trouble. It waa a military offence, and he could not go outside the Dtfenee Act. He (Mr. Seddon) beird the Comrmmdant 'ell Colonel Somerville te suike camp at Newtown Park, and make other arrangements. Uo (Mr. Seddon) jjavea KU/uhi authority, and Colonel Somervil.'a pjtseJ It ou to (;Lie oilicer-in-charge a'j the camp; but for tome reahou or other the order was not carried out. With regard to the language at-' tributed to Colonel Ponton, Mr. Seddon asked, who was to try the Commandant? The position wae surrounded with difficulties; but probably the Governor, through the Defence Minister, should ask the Commandant for an explanation. He (Mr. Seddon) intended to do his duty, but he had bo hesitation in saying that a Parliamentary Committee was net the proper tribunal to deal with the matter. COMMITTEES. The usutl sessional ojmmitteae ware set up, and at 4.45 p.m. the House adjourned till 7.30. Evbkiho Srrmra. The, House resumed at 7.30 p.m. ADDRBBS-INBEPLT. Mr. W. W. Collins moved the Ad-drecs-in-Reply. After referring to the de*th of the Queen, Mr. Oollius made allusion to the birth of the Commonwealth of Australia, and ventured the opinion that the welding together of ' the colonies into one common whole ' would have a considerable influence on i the destinies of New Zetland. Although they all wished the new I every prosperity he oould not see he i way to commit this colony to the i loss of its independence by joining; in . the federation. The visit of the Duke r and Duchess of York had been another • important event, and he thought their f tour would have great and important results to the Empire. After ©en- , gratulating Sir Joseph Ward upon tbe I introduction of penny postage Mr. del- , lbs went on to deal with question of b defence. He applauded the New Zea--1 land contingent! for their work in s South Africa. Speaking of the gnat a review in Ohri-tkhuroh the other day B he alluded to the display by the cadet*, i and urged that the military training of ' the cadets would tend to make the a youth of the colony patrio'ic, obedient, i and good citizens. He no ioed, bow- ■ ever, that many of the troops on y parade were armed with weapons of an r obsolete character, and he hoped the e Defence authorities would see that our B Volunteers were all armed with the beat .. up-to-date weapons. Bpeaking of rail--1 way matters Mr. Collins congratulated Sir Joseph Ward upon thesnooessofe his Department; but urged thateveryr thing required in the way of rolliog I. stock should be manufactured in the e colony. If the present workshops were not Urge enough the nrot'ary | ( extensions should be made to meet the I. gioairg requirements of the se vice. He was especially pleased to notice that the Government was int-educing* railways superannuation sohetao, and >■ he would like to see tbe principle extended to all branches of the Civil Ser- t vice. Mr. Collins spoke of the, neose- ' eity for op*niog up new markets for J New Zoalanl products. Our exports > were largely ii.cre sing, and Govern* ment would either have to subsidise lines of steamers or eitablish a eaa--9 carrying busin< ss on its own account, J He expessed hishearty approval of | ihe proposal to establish a Stote coal ' mine, which he felt sure would have the effect of reducing the price of ooal to consumers generally. He waa pleased 0 to find that the long hours worked by • " slaves of tbe pan "in mt-rohants' omnia ' ard banks were to oome under the 3 review of the Legislature. It waa ab--1 solutely nectssary that more ad<quate provision should be made for fire brigades by the State. The Local - Authorities Indemnity Bill was a i n; eifure that would meet with almtet n ur.animoua approval. ° Mr. T. M. Wilford seconded the mo- ion. To his mind rn -of thrfiosi important, mat'ara tiurhd upon in the 3 Governor'* speeoh wan fat of the oarf riage c f ma<l<. He suM it vu to be ■ 1-ej.rdtted-that the Uoim Steamship ' Ojupany had hem shut out from the San Francisco service, and he predicted that there wruld toon have to fee. a - radical altoratiqo in th<« agreement with i thi> Oc-anioSttamebip Company. Mr. 1 Wilford »trongly condemned the pre- *> sent unsat's'actory state of mttttra in 9 regard to the 'Fruoo service. 1 Breakdowns wete of oommoo oc- ' 'urretce, and. there was so due ! observance of sailing dates, while ' mils were frequently late. Hebopsd " the Government would tsekle the ' matter soon, and grapple with what a* ; p-esentwas a disjointed service. Hit ' ex'ended his congra' u'atiooa to S'r • Joseph War.l ut oo peony postag*, end 1 .lso up-in hit railway superannuation , ' propos Is. Rtfening t> the Royal ' vis t, he said it would draw closer the ' ies of ki ship batwe<a the Mo'her ■ ''ountry and the co'ony. If the citizm so'diers in this country WIN a-med with up-to-date weapons illy i foreign cou.tiy w.ul i take longer to • overcome our t-eople than it w*s taking • the British to overcome the Bmm. When the vote fo- expenditure in eon* nection wi'h the Royal visit oama up i r i-r cons : d-»ation he was sure there I *-<>uld be no o jeo ion to it I Captain Rug-ell, in a biief speech, I -aid the only course left open to4he Opposition w-8 to individually o< iticise : he policy of Mr Sjddpn. An a meet* i if>g of the p rty that morning no 1 ader ; had bein e'eeted, and it had been left i to each individual member to act upon i bis o*n responsibility. In future all * i members o f the party would be on an . tqual foi'iujf, which was the epirit of [ demoorßcv. He congratu'a'ed Sir i Joseph Wxrd on hU knighthood; and . salt it had a (To ittd him intense interest , arid cnntideiaiile umos meat during i the Rey>l visit to watoh the ; process by whoh the two ho*. I aer.tkm n-Sir Joseph Ward and Mr. ; Seddon -bsd been roovtrbd fromao* fialist; democrats to vety clever imitations <f th<9 much bedizened >"«io»y > aristocrats. He hoped he bad drawn ".' attention to the fact that then waa really no distinction between ene aide - ' ; and the o her in poitirs wheo'tkjl? i came t3 any little advantagea that oo&tv - bH got. The ntmrs OonEervaiive ansV' V i Liberal had no foros in New Zeaknd, : 1 and were only uard for purposes ot^ mis'fpresei'tta'ion. ~M Hon. 0. H. Mills spoke of the gi«d?^ I woik which the pooeeta of colony had done, and Sir John MoKenz'e upon hie !*• M ctnt Innours. Re a'st Sir Joaepi W**A t woorierfol ?|' had ie <*ii'«<r only a very mild. reward. Mr, Mi Ms spoke highly of the '->yi II harm uioux io'ntions existing between "' % >' i Maoris and leferrud to ,j ! the visit < r tbe Imperial troops, whiafc M i had bem a. revelat on to these wbOj l)k« him Ml', wan NewJ ZtaJandart, . ,

Tho visit ot the English rre r; -' ssntativea would be of frea? 1e r pfi to us. People at Home wo rstir.isbed at the progress ef the colony, and this visit would have grf at po-sir.ilitip? for the fu'ure in regard to tourist traffic. He was disapr 'rinted with the speech of ♦he Lfader of the Opposition. It, however, showed that tie Opposition were thoroughly in accord with the programme e/runsia'ed in the Go. verno:'* speech. Mr. Mills spoke cf trade with South Africa, and said that there must be, for a few years, a large cousumption ef natural products of this country in that part of the world. Those who had information f-n the subject should make suggestions to the Government. As to a a State corl mine, be thought it was high time the Government, a* trustee* for th« people, who owned tbe mineral wealth, should establish mch a mine. Fire brigades were worthy of B'.me assistance from the State. Mr. Mills fpake of the success cf tbe land policy, and of the necessity for computing the railway system. The system of alvances to settlers had been a pronounced success, and the revenue of the colony had Bte*di'y increased. Mr G. W. Ru?sel also spoke. In regard to the betterment principle, and State coal mine, which had not so very long ago been opposed by the Government, public opinion had forced itsThßn<\ which accounted for their now being included in the policy of the Government. The Governor's sp-ech stated that the raith hunger still continued, yet during the first; three months cf the financial year up to 31st December, only some £20,000 had bern expended on land for settlement. What was .required wasrome e'early defined | policy under the Land for Settlement A't, which would attract a genuine class of settlers. He condemmed tbe practice of sending oat of the colony for railway rolling stock. Accordihg to information he had received the recent importation of cars and locomotives left a good dial to be desired. He wished to call attention to the departure of the Government from sound democratic principles, as an example of which be pointed to the large number of Royal Commissions that had been set up daring the recces. These Commissions were in reality scouring the colony to find a policy for Ministers, whose salaries had only recently been raised in consideration of their copinp with the increased work. He alfo complained of growing tendency of Minuter s to override their constitutional authority, instances of which he cited, and be regretted the departure of Minis'ers from democraticeimp'icity, in favour .of bodyguards and knighthoods. He considei ed the Government Hid acted unwisely in offering tbe recent loan at 4 per cf nt., and he denounced tbe Public Re enues Act of last ceesien.

Mr. W. J. Napier contended that the Government pility had been one of unchecked progress. Criticism by its own party was a sign that it was a live p»rty. He did not agree wi'h the proposed consolidation of local bodies into large and often unwieldy bodies, and he regretted that volunteers had not received the amount of consideration which they should have received. He urged that a iriil should be made of the Vaile system on our railways. He combatfed Mr. Wilford's remarks on the 'Frisco mail service, and said the Government had gmn a fair field •nd had shown no favourto tl-e Oceanic Company. He contended the 'Frisco iou»e wes a fast one. If the Union Company, built boats suitable he would be jn favour of giving it even better term* than aro row given to' the Go- anic Company.

Hon. T. "Y. Duncan moved the adjournment of a-.d'lhe House rose at 11.50 p.m.