A STONEWALL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144197, 13 September 1913, Page 3

A STONEWALL.

ALL-NIGHT SITTING. ESTIMATES HELD UP. BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT. WELLINGTON, Sept. 13. . After the telegraph office closed at 2 o’clock, the House continued to discuss the emigration policy of the Government. The attack was led by the Labour Party, who claimed that there was no room for imported labour and no land for intending settlers. Mr. Hindmarsh said the country could support five million people in the near future. What was wanted was cioser settlement and more intense cultivation. The Government must bring down a land policy to attract people to the country, not to drive them out. Sir Joseph Ward said ho was not in favour of indiscriminate immigration, which must brinf; about a serious condition of affairs in the labour market. New Zealand wanted a fresh supply or people every year, but it must be done with discretion. 1 There could be no harm in bringing out people with small capital, but if the attempt was inado to populate the country within a limited period there was great danger or glutting the labour market, : Mr. Russell said Mr. T. Mackenzie was endeavouring to arrange for the introduction of suitable emigrants. To that extent he favoured immigration, but was pot in favour of an absolutely open door. . The Minister said he agreed with Sir Joseph Ward that immigration must he carried out with discretion, because in 1909, when 900 people wore retrenched from the Civil Service. *1953 people were brought into the country. Sir Joseph Ward said the reply of tho Minister proved one thing, that he (Sir Joseph Ward) had fought to convince the then Opposition that retrenchment had taken place in 1909. Had tho Government desired to do so, it could not have prevented any one of the 4953 emigrants coming to the Dominion. The inference of the Minister wn« therefore irprt unfair. Mr. Hindmarsh’s motion was defeated by 59 to 21, A lengthy discussion took placemen tho conduct' of the Government Printing Office, the debate resolving itself into a duel between Mr. Fisher. Minister in charge, and Mr. Russell, his predecessor. , , At 4 o'clock Sir J. Ward suggested nn adjournment, but Mr. Massey refused to consider the proposal. A discussion followed on the advisability of adjourning, during which Mr. Anderson urged the Premier not to giveaway. Sir Joscnh Ward took this as a tnreat and moved to report A division war. taken, and the motion was lost by 29 to 18. Mr. Massey then state (I that he might have been prepared to consider a proposal for adjournment, but for a ruling which prevented a class once commenced being postponed. .. . . Mr. Witty then began a discussion on mental hospitals, censuring the Government for not bringing down tho report of tho Inspector-General, who had expressed bitter disappointment that no [.provision was being made to provide adequate accommodation for patients. He complained that the institutions were dreadfully overcrowded and that no steps wore being taken to remedy this disgraceful condition. Mr. M‘Callura rose at this stage on a point of order, challenging the Premier’s statement that progress could not bo reported on an unfinished class. The House at once proceeded to discuss the point of order until the chairman ruled that progress could be reported under such circumstances. Mr. Russell resumed the debate, moving that the salary of the InspectorGeneral of. Mental Hospitals (£looo} be reduced by £l. as a protest against the failure-of .-the. Government to day the report before Parliament. , At 6 a.m. a number of Opposition members who had been absent during the early part of the sitting arrived, and the proceedings developed into an obvious stonewall, members being repeatedly checked by the chairman for tedious repetition, tho burden of the speeches being the overcrowded condition of mental hospitals. At 7.10 Mr. Neata suggested that tho House might take the Tourist Department andathen adjourn, but the Government refused to entertaiu the suggestion, . , , At 7.30 the question was put and negatived on the voices. Mr, Witty at once moved to reduce the salary of tho medical superintendent at Auckland by £2, as an indication that the mental hospital in that city was overcrowded. At 7.35 Mr. Malcolm, who Juid been relieved at 6 a.m, by Mr. ixine, resumed the chair, Tho Minister said nothing would be gained by pressing tho motion, as he admitted that .overcrowding existed, but was doing bis best to meet the exigencies of the case. Buildings were already authorised, and ho hoped soon to have the necessary accommodation to meet .all requirements. Mj*. Wilford, at this stace, offered himself as a medium of mediation between the Government and the Opposit*on\to see whether an arrangement could not bo arrived at to end the impossibility, but the Premier refused to accept the olive branch so offered. Mr. Isitt hoped there woujd bo no talk of compromise until the reports wore brought down. Not dno single class should go through until tho necessary information was supplied. The House adjourned at 8 o’clock, and resumes at 9 o’clock.