PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8483, 10 July 1907, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

(Abridged from Press Association Report.) LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. WELLINGTON, July 9. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 o'clock. The Hastings Recreation Reserve Act, 1907, was read a first time. The Hon. Mr Anstey resumed the debate on the Address-in-Reply, and spoke on the land question at considerable length, giving general approval of the Government proposals. The demand for leasehold lands would always be greater than the supply. He agreed that the limitation of holdings was essential, and the best method of reducing holdings was through a graduated land tax, but that tax should not commence too low down. The proposal to substitute 66 years for lease-in-perpe-tuity was not altogether satisfactory, as no one could estimate what the value of land would be at the end of that time. In his opinion a lease should go on as at present with revaluation every 21 years. The Hon. Mr Sinclair said that he thought a graduated land tax the proper method of reducing large holdings, but whatever system was adopted, it was essential that small landholders should occupy the lands of the colony. Dr. Collins referred to the Council of Defence, the setting up of which would prove beneficial to the colony. He would like to see every youth in the colony taught to handle a rifle. The Hon. G. Jones moved the adjournment of the debate, and the Council rose at 4.10 o'clock. THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 o'clock. The Waipukurau County Bill and the Waitara Harbour District and Empowering Bill were read a first time. Mr E. G. Allen resumed the debate on the Address-in-Reply, and said that although there were ten or twelve millions in the Old Country on the verge of starvation there was a decided objection by the people of the Old Land to a policy of protec tion. Referring to the Exhibition sweated goods, he said it made one blush with shame at the miserable prices paid for t!:e goods exhibited, representi"~ —! ~vsi-age of seven or eight shillings per week paid to the workers at the industries concerned. Alluding to the ventilation of railway grievances in the House he did not approve of the washing of dirty linen in public. He thought that members should first approach the Minister, and if no satisfaction was derived they could than ventilate the matter in the House. Touching on tariff matters he hoped the Goovernment would give relief to the fishermen of the colony in the direction of taking the duty off nets. Mr T. Mackenzie considered that it was time to put an end to what had proved a profitless and useless debate and "to gtt to the business of the country. He moved the previous question. Mr J. McLachlan, in seconding the motion, said he had not been present dx'i.ig the debate, but disapproved of the action of Mr liornsby in t'?e matter of railway He had stirring up strife, and next week was to be presented with-a purse of soveieigfig". The Premier asked the Spe;-.k-?r's ruling as to whether Mr Mackenzie was in order in moving his resolutions, the enfeet of which wouid be to prevent the House carrying to the Governor the Address-in-Reply, which certainly was disrespectful. The Speaker ruled that Mr Mackenzie was competent to move the previous question. The Premier suggested to Mr Mackenzie to withdraw his motion. Mr M. cken :ie protested that the debate had been a great waste of time. Mr Massey said that he agreed that much waste of time took place, but if Mr Mackenzie's motion was carried, it would be unfair to members who had prepared speeches for delivery. The Premier pointed out that members were perfectly within their rights in speaking, although he thought it might be advisable to make a change of the procedure with regard to the debate on the Address-in-Reply. Mr Mackenzie eventually withdrew his motion. Mr E. W. Allison deprecated the action of members raising the question of North Island versus South Island. Mr Davey had quoted the public works expenditure during the last four years in the North Island, which was distinctly unfair, as during that time much money had been expended on the North Island Main Trunk Line, which was not a provincial but a national affair. He maintained that the North Island, and particularly Auckland, had been neglected. Referring to the Land Bill he said people of New Zealand were determined that the optional system should continue. Mr J. C. Thomson conceded that settlement was progressing at a greater rate in Aucnland than in any other portions of the colony, but he argued that this was du? to land being cheaper in Auckland than in the South Island. The Home resumed s*-7.30 p.m. Mr Thomson, resuming, said a difficulty arose in his electorate with regard to getting land surveyed owing to the lack of surveyors, which he hoped the Government would i remedy. ] Mr F. Mander said that the most important items in the Governor's Speech were the Land Bill, Local Government Bill and Tariff Reform, and it would take the whole of the session to deal with these matters properly. Dealing with the navy, he considered that Ne.v Zealand should increase her subsidy. He favoured an All-Red route for a mail service with a weekly connection via Sydney and Suez. He contended that an effort should be made also ' to re-establish the San Francisco route. In any legislation that might be introduced he hoped that provision would be made giving everv- tenant the right to acquire the freehold.