PARLIAMENTARY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13654, 24 July 1908, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

F«r VresH Association,

WELLINGTON. Jul}' 23. The House met at 2.50 p.m. NEW BILLS. The Farriers Bill No. 2 was read a first time. The Education Act Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor's Message and read a. first time. THE FINANCIAL DEBATE. The financial debate was resumed by Mr Allen (Chalmers) who approved of the Budget and expressed gratification at the new land settlement proposals. He- was glad that teachers' superannuation was to be placed on the civil service basis. He went on to show that the Liberal Government were the best 1 friends of the farmer and had fostered the dairy industry so that we ran Denmark close on the Lodon market. He supported the increased naval subsidy. The volunteeers should he said b e encouraged. He was glad an. amendment of the - Education Act had been brought down. Mr Mills said the financial position was satisfactory though we had been affected by the American crisis. Money must be borrowed to develop a young country. The revenue was ■under-estimafed. The Customs would yield much more than was anticipated. " The sugar remissions had not in his opinion been a very-great benefit. He supported the visit of the Amesican fleet. Credit; was due to the Prime Minister for the Advances to Settlers Act, the most beneficial measure on the statute book. The workers' homes were too prententious and the rents too high. Regarding the importation of Oregon pine the sawmiller was the pioneer of all bush settlements and de.wved t'o get with those dependent on him, the Government's protection. He regretted that there was no mention of the South Island Main Trunk lino in tihe Budget. He congratulated the Government upon taking over the Manawatu line and hoped soon to see a smart feny service to Picfen. Mr Field (Otaki) referred to the price of wool. He said not only was the wool king affected, but the small farmers also, the latter very seriously. There had been a fall in other product and money was scarce. He urged the Government to give farmers instruction in sheep-farming and said that it was necessary to protect the sawmillers. If the Jocal indutry were killed by American competition prices would be humped upThe House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Mr Symea supported the freehold and advocated a comprehensive local Government Bill. National annuities and old age pens'ons should be consolidated. He supported the spe"cial land settlement proposals. Mr Graham justified borrowing for necessary development. So long as the railways paid 3 per cent, the policy of concessions should continue. He advocated caution and said that if the cap'tal of the advances to settlers' fund was £10,000.000 no further borrowing would be required. The Government could nob now meet requirements. He appealed for railway and harbour extension at Nelson.

Mr Jennings..-said that his district was' one of the most go-ahead in the dominion. The Mokau bridge should be built. He justified borrowing and appealed for more schools in the back blocks. ' The Maoris were not lazy and we should treat liiein as men, giving them a fair opportunity. . Sjr W. J. Steward said that indirect taxation fell too heavily on the workers. The ordinary land tax should be abolished and only the disruptive tax retained. Farmers should be taxed in proportion to their income. The sugar duly should net have been repealed. It would have paid for the loading of the backblocks, increasing teachers' salaries and improving internal defences. He supported an increase of the naval subsidy. A struggle between the East and West would inevitably come. He supported the special land settlement proposals, roading in the backblocks, atid said that branch rail-. •way lines-niu&t be provided to enable the settlers to us© the trunk lines.

Mr Hogan said that taxation did not bear heavily on the working classes. An increase of the poblic debs expenditure on reproductive works was justified. Old age pensions should not be forfeited for occasional drunkenness, and should be administered by a local body. Ho approved of advances to settlers, the naval subsidy increase to £IOO,OOO and tlhe special land settlement- proposals which, however, should extend to -workers in'the suburbs: Regarding Industrial Arbitration he said that! any law must bo enforced. He opr posed a tax on Oregon pine, saying that importations were insignificant and did nob seriously affect the sawmillers. The increased duty was -wantwd by the timber ring.

Mr Major criticised the banks for alleged extortion. The policy of the banks was detrimentaal to trade. He rcgrettted the abolition of the sugar duty. The Advances to Settlers' Department had prevented a financial panic. He supported a cheap cable service, and increase in naval subsidy. The special land settlementl proposals should extend to single individuals. He. advocated quinquennial parliaments and said the industrial position was not susceptible to final settlement. The debate was again adjourned. The House rose at 12.38 a.m.