GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIV, Issue 14538, 6 September 1911, Page 5

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HODSB OF KEPBESENTAHVEB, Per Press Association. . , WELLINGTON, Sept. 6. The House met At 2.30 p.m. IMMIGRATION. V Replying to questions by Meuri Wright and Russell oonoornin|C an articlo in the "Doaiinton" quoting J statomont published in London, aatt to have boon issued by the High Com* missioncr, io the effect that than it a general scarcity of labour in tit Dominion, and that domestic. »erv«nt< are as difficult to procure as nugget) of gold; tb.-it tho Dominion required te import apprentice ploughmen and cap* ablo form hands anxious to traooma settlors; and that wo needed another million peoplo in tho cities and tiro millions on tho land, whom we would welcome, and who if here to-morrow would all find ample work and onploymeut, ... i Sir J. G. Ward said he had brought tho matter of immigration up at the Imperial Conforouco. Labour exchange liud immigration was a very _ difficult matter to deal with at certain times of tuo year. . Tho system of immigration employed by the High Commissioner was stopped for the time being, so as not to bring people hero during the winter months. They were Kitting as many people in New Zealand for tho purposes named as was >ior cessary. Tho Government had .lot changed its policy concerning imo >'- gratiou, and no instructions had bun given to alter tho system »ow "bta: >• nig. Thero must be some mistake or misapprehension in tho statement attributed to tho High Oommmoner. Sir William Hall-Jones could i over have said such a thing. THE IMPORTANT STATEMENTS. Sir .1. G. Ward stated th»t th» Financial Statement would bo brought down on Friday evoning, and the Railway Statement would be submitted before Friday. Sir. .T. G. Ward iniorrood tho H>li» that Mr Fowlds had resigned h«a poit. tion in tho Ministry. (This mattor is dealt with olsowhore.) STATE AS COAL DEALKR. Mr R. MclCcnr.io moved ♦.he c»mmittal of the Coal Minos Amonlment Bill. Ho oxplainod that tho Bdl vyttoined provisionn for the dotonimntinr* ol leases within six months i also f'T 'allowing tho Ministor, on W of His Majesty, to purchase and soil coai, wood, and coke. ... Mr Masscy objected to tho last clause, dealing with the salo of wood and coal. Ho objoctcd to tho vnv the Government was going into bujln*i«l Tho Stato should bo used to rniso monopolies and combines, and so far as ho knew, thero was nothing or th's description in connection with the eial trade, and if there was not, wh.it was tho obioct of tho clause P Mr Homes and Mr Hordmnn conteidcd that tho Gorornmont oiimwm ventures were not a success, and ( did net pay. Mr Hcrdman characterised State management as tho worst possible involving wasto, nogloct, oarelesencns, and often incapacity. Sir J G. Ward pointed to tho fact that whereas coal was £2 per ton before the State mines were established, flu. retail price in Wellington now wu» *"? ito private consumers. Wellington w,- beiiic- saved £50,000 a year, and Ohristchurch £35,000 a year. Tho c\iit-neo of the Stale mines had a steadying infiuenco on tho pneo of opal and " prevented combinations. llio Inhnoo sheet of the Stato coal mines showed a net profit, of £OI7O- ... After further discussion the Bill went info Committor and wn» reported i from Committee with amendment* After midnfeM «» TMH Road »£ w.l- put through Committre. ??«&«*» wr» room-tod and the House r.djourooi at 12.60 a.m.