PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8218, 23 August 1906, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE OOUNOIL.

By Telegraph—Press Association.

WELLINGTON, August 22. The Council met at 2.30 o'olooli. A communication was read from Mrs Seddon acknowledging a resolution of the Oounoil regretting the death of her husbanri. Tbe Don. (J. Louisaon moved the Addreas-iu-Reply. He said that while all regretted the . loss .of Mr Seddon, it was a matter of satisfaction that he was so ably succeeded, and that the verdict of the country was favourable to tho Ministry formed by Sir J. G, Ward. There were many suojects of the highest importance iu the Governor's Speech which would demand the earneat consideration of the Oounoil. If a reciprocal treaty oould be arranged with the Commonwealth on terms which would properly safeguard the interests of New Zealand,it would be a good thing for the country. He approved of the proposal for encouraging scientific methods of production. Wbile he rejoiced at the satisfactory condition of tho tourist traffic, he did not consider that the Government offered sufficient facilities to tourists to travel the country. It was useless to advertise ttoe colony as a tourists' resort without making complete provision for locomotion and traffio conveniences of tourists. The whole service between Auckland and the Bluff ought to b« in the hands of the Government. The Exhibition was an undertaking at which he rejoiced. The matter had been taken up keenly, and in Christchnroh alone there were eighty to one hundred business men who had for the past six months devoted half their time towards ensuring the success of the undertaking. He was sure the whule thing wuuld result in .a gigantic success. With regard to the tariff, he thought it was a question chat ought to be dealt with as speedily as possible. They bad been having large surpluses year after year, and in bis opinion when there was a surplus steps ought to be taken to ascertain how to relieve the pressure ot duties upon the neoessaries of life. Life might thereby be made a little, pleasanter to persons of small incomes. The Hon. T. Thompson seconded the motion. He considered the Speech from the Throne a very comprehensive one, and included reference to measures of the greatest importance to the colony. Be agreed with the expressed intention of the Government to make no sudden radical alteration ,in the land system of the colony. It was good news to 10&rn that the construction of the Msin Trunk railway'lines was to be prosecuted vigorously, especially in regard to the North Island Trunk Line. The debate wad adjourned on the motion of the Hon. G. McLean. The Council rose at 4.5 o'clock.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 o'clock. The following Bills were read a first time:—Workers Compensation for Accidents Act 1900 Amendment Bill, Goal Mines Act 1903 Amend--1 ment Bill, Totalizator Abolition, Waimate Hospital District, Otago Dock Act Amendment, Palmerston North Dairy School, Wellington City Reclamation, Criminal Code Amendment, Juvenile Offenders, Qpackery and Other Frauds Prevention, Masterton Trust Lands, Ballot Card Voting, Law Practitioners, Government Valuation Amendment, Noxious Weeds Amendment, Wellington Harbour Reclamation, Elective Executive, Oiago Dock Validation, MakeU County, Legislative Council Elections, Christohurch District Drainage. Between forty and fifty papers were laid on the table, and ordered to be printed. On the motion of Mr Kirkbride (for Mr Fisher), it was resolved "thac there be laid before the House a return showing (a) the area of the grounds attached to each Ministerial residence in Wellington, (b) the capital and unimproved values of each Ministerial residence, (c) the cost of finy addition or additions mEde to each or any of the Ministerial residences either hy (1) land (2) buildings, or (3) furnishing during the last five years ended August Ist, 1906, particulars for eaoh year to be separately stated. Six other unopposed notices were passed. Mr Kirkbride (for Mr Fisher) moved— "That there be laid before this House a return showing (1) the area , capital and unimproved value of the residences of His Exnellency the Governor at Wbllington and Auckland and (2) the annual amount spent upon eaoh for the upkeep and maintenance during the past five years ended august Ist, 1906, eaoh year tc be stated separately." The Premier opposed the motion, on the ground that the discussion of the affairs of the Governor on the floor of tne House would be a bad precedent. He appealed to Mr Masaey to support him. The mover had given no reasons. Mr Masaey dissented, riaiutaining that the motion m its first part did not affect the affairs cf the Governor at ail, and that as for the second part the House has every right to know nil about every item of expenditure. Mr W. Hall-Jones urged tfiat as all the information asked for is in the annual Estimates, the publicity I now sought is unnecessary, and tharefore savours of discourtesy to His Excellency. Mr T. Mnokeuzie said everybody was not so familiar with the Estiamtes as the Minister of Public W orka. Mr Kirkbride defended his position. The Premier, interposing, said he had understood Mr Kirkbride to say that he had Mr Fisher's written authority to move his motion, and now he found be had not. After some discussion it appeared that Mr Kirkbride had misunderstood the question put to him by the Premier on the question of tue necessity for written authority in fiuob oases. Mr Speaker ruled that the usual practice is for an bon, mem bar's assertion that he has authority to be accepted. The motion was lost—ayea 12» noes 38. The House adjourned at 4 p.m. (Continued on Page G).

EVENING SITTING

The House resumed a 7.30 o'clock. Mr T. Y. Seddon, who was received with applause, rose to move the Address-m-Reply. He began by complimenting the Premier on the excellent Government he had formed. The Governor's Speech he characterised in favourable terms as busi-ntsa-like and comprehensive, and went on to refer to the reciprocity treaty with tne Commonwealth. Ho gave a short review of the various attempts made in this direction, and as the contents of the treaty could not be known till Tuesday next, he contented himself with a that the arrangement would prove to the benefit of New Zealand. He congratulated Sir .loseph Ward on tbe excellent work done by him at the Postal Conference in Rome He had had tne good fortune to see the Exhibition at Christt'hurch the other day, and he warmly eudoised tbe paragraph of the Governor's Speech referriuK thereto. Reviewing the references to the Agricultural De paitmpnt and its prosperity, he advocated U'e establishment of experimental stations in the South Island, adding thac it was ridiculous to suppose *hat experiments in the Noith would give any useful information to the Southern farmers. Coming to the Tourist Department, he approved highly of the references iu tbe Speech, but took the opportunity to say that the West Coapt had not had justice in the departmental distribution. He bad himself made a tour the country lately, and wos struck by the splendid Bcenery. In respect of education, he pointed out that the opportunities of the country children were not equal to those of tbe towns, as the time did not permit them to qualify for the free Dlaaes of the secondary system. For the arrangements made by the Government for technical educationjie had nothing but high praiee, and he went on to make eulogistic reference to Victoria College, the future centre of the law studies of this country. Of the proposals for helping the country districts with telephones for medical and other purposes he spoke highly, emphasising the need for even more assistance as regards the first. He was earnest in approving of the promised further assistance to the mining industry, whioh he declared would be good news to the West Coast miners. He dwelt lons on tbe qualities and achievements of the miners. Before ouncluding he would refer to the excellent series of Governors that have ruled over this colony, and, on behalf of tbe West Coast, he would extend an invitation to Lord Plunket to visit that part of the colony, and he assured him of a hearty welcome. He thanked tbe House for the Kind hearing it had given him. (Loud applause). # Mr Poole, iu seconding the motion, appreciated the high honour done him by his selection for the work, whioh he obaraoteriaed as most generous, seeing that he had been' elected as an Independent Liberal. 1 He was that in tbe sense of beingj ready to support all strong Liberal! measures. A great wave of satisfaction had gone round the country when tbe personnel of the Government was announced. The Speech : was comprehensive and good. He thought that perhaps tte remarkable amount of caution that was shown in it was due to tbe large Scottish proportion of the Cabinet. That was a sign of stability. He congratulated the member for Westland on tbe admirable manner in whioh be had presented hia pert. (Applause). The first thing that struck him about the Speeoh was its optimism. It wis the best feature of it. Coming to the land question, he eulogised tbe bard working settler, and would be no party to placing any restrictions on bim. (Applause). Mr Massey congratulated tbe junior members who had spoken on their moderation and good sense. He specially congratulated the member for Westland on the position hj» occupied, and would him that be and others would watch hi? career with great interest, and would be glad if he in time rose to a nigh position in tbe colony. Of tbe member for Auckland West he said that in seconding the motion he made himself a member of the party. He oomplained that tbe Speech was vague. it referred to many startling and important things elsewhere, but to nothing in New Zealand. The undertaking most wanted in this country—roading the out . districts— was ignored. As to the land policy, where wbb it? Were tbey freeholders or leaseholders? The Cabinet to judge of the speech was apparently as indefinite as the mind of the Minister for Lands, who had never heen heard in the House on this subject. The Minister of Education had an extreme opinion on the land question. He was sorry, therefore, to see him on the Government Benches. His presence helped to'remind him that the Premier had, like his name-sake of old in Egypt, a coat of many colours. There were many oolonrs, but no policy. One colour for freehold, one for leasehold, one for preference to Unionists, *one for the Saa Francisoo service, another against it. How was it possible for such a Minister to have a policy? He went on to expres regret at the decision not t*<, touch tbe'tariff this year. He declared that he would assist tbe Government to reduce taxation, but not to increase it. Referring to the ex-Ministers of Lands and Customs, he sympathised greatly with those gentlemen in their present position, and could see no reason for their exclusion from the Government. The Premier complimented the member for Westland, and hoped he might fo'low ' in his father's footsteps to the highest position. Jtie defended tbe member for Auckland West against tbe charge of inconsistency by pointing out that since his declaration of independence a ' new Government had come into office. Mr Massey himself did not seem to have much of policy. He had only ventured on ono plana, viz., roading. He had been challenged for a reason why there wab no place in the Speech for the mending or ending of the Legislative Council. First, he would say Mr Massey's ideal of a Council elected on the Hare system was retrograde and impossible. Abolition of the Council would be more democratic, As for himself he did not believe in the abolition of the Oounoil. Tbe Government did not intend to meddle with the Council,

as the oountry had not asked for anything of the kind. He challenged any member of the House to show that the Council during the last len years had ever opposed the popular will. The land question, he assured the House, would not be shirked. At the proper time they would have it clear and definite. He was sorry the Leader of the Opposition had referred to the retirement of his colleagues aa he had done. It an insult to himself and to those gentlemen to talk of their having beeu ill-treated, 'l'bey had gone out with eveiy sympathy 1 and friendship on both sides, guided by circumstances over which all were equally powerless, and which they and ho had talked over and understood. As for the tariff it would be impossible to do the work in eight weeks; He urged, in conclusion, that the other side were asking too much in asking for the Governor's Speech to contain what such speeches did not usually contaiu, and asked the House to be patient until the material proposals of the Government came down. Mr Allen followed on the lin«9 of his chief. He found fault with the absence of policy. He deplored the absence of business prinoiplei in the Government Departments. The House adjourned at 11 o'clock.