HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11755, 4 October 1902, Page 7

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WELLINGTON, October 3. At 2.40 the Midland Railways Bill passed through, committee with amendments and the debate is now proceeding on the third reading. The House met at 2.30. PENSIONS BILL. An amendment was brought down by Governor's) message in the Military Pennons Bill, providing for cases in which the death of an officer or private occurs from other causes than wounds received in action within twelve months after lie is "first. certified to be ill

The amendments were agreed to. THE NELSON, POLICE- SCANDAL. Mr. Graham asked the Minister for Justice a question as to the petition of exConstables Burrell and Durbridge, of lsTelson, "Which the Petitions Committee had put'reported upon. Would the petition be Wken up next session at 7 the point it had now reacher or wou'di the Government allow the matter to be inquired into by a judge or superintendent, yrhs should bay© power to deal with the question on its merits? The Jigsn. McGowan could not say Avhat neyt session would dp. There was no necessity for an inquiry by a judge. Mr, Symes, Chairman of the Committee, and it was no fault of tin© cgmmittee or the Government that the petition had not been reported upon. Mr. Graham acknowledged that the commftt'ee had dene its best, but the inquiry had been delayed by the solicitor for the petitioners asking for an adjournment. THE APPROPRIATION BILL.

On tlhe motion for tlie second reading of the Appropriation Bill, Mr. Withe-ford nr^ed the Government to take some action in the direction of settling returned troopers on Oi'own lands of the colony, find so prevent them returning tp South Africa to accept the tempting offers that have been made to them. Jie had received 130 letters from returned! contmgenters on this subject, and he hoped the Gov- < eminent wioutd give an assurance that something Avould be done. He did) not ttrink there was any sincere desire on thepaot of the Lands Department to assist peopfe who wanted to settle on the land. Mr. E. M. Smith regretted the action of the House in regard to the New Plymouth High -School Board Leases Bill, as having inflicted an injustice. Mr. Fisher complained of the inequalities of "Hansard" in reporting the proceedings oi' the House in Committee of Supply. He also urged that the Standing Orders should be revised in certain directions. , ' Ml. McNaib spoke of Me Cathns-Sea-ward Bush Railway. Mr. Atkinson, speaking of the "Hanyiyd" reporting', said it was the duty of the "Hansard" staff ii} Committee of Supply to test any matter by ite" pertinenece to the vote under discussion. Mr. Napier regretted^that legislation had-not been brought down to Settle the lands held by the Asisets Realisation Board. Mr. Pirani complained that not Parliamentary authorities had been sought for the vote of £25,000 on the Supplementary Estimates. for the South African contingents. . , Mr. Hogg spoke of the recent extensive landslip which had occurred in his district, deploring' that not vote had been passed to give roads to enable settlers blocked by this slip to get their produce to market. Sir Joseph Ward1, in replying, said the question of settling .returned troopers on the land Was receiving the attention oif the Qovernment. There "\va« a scheme now in

the (hands of (the Min/kiter of Lands, but it would involve the expenditure of a larga sum of money, and therefore required deliberation. The £25JX)0 vote alluded to by Mr. Pirani was money to troopers who, after they had ceased; to receive pay ilronn the Imperial Government, continued to receive it from the New Zealand Government. With regard to what had! been said by Mr. Hogg, he had no doubt there was some misunderstanding, and that any prooniiise made by the Minister would be kept. The second reading was agreed to. In committee on the Bill considerable discussion took place on clause 19, which provides that the costs of licensing committee elections may be reccvered from the local authorities.

The clause was agreed to without amendment, and the Bill passed through, committee. . "■"■;■

On *he. motion for the third reading, Mr. Homsfoy regretted that the proposal by Sir Joseph Ward! to amend clause 19 had nictt been, agreed to. Mr. Laurenson urged t(he necessity "for the cessation of borrowing" and strict economy. Messrs. Symes and McNab also spoke briefly. Mr. -Thomas! McKen^ie regretted that the House had not had" more opportunity during the session to discuss the land question. He though* more progress should bs made in our land settlement.

Mr. James Aliens, referring to the tenders for the South African service, said it would have been advisable to restrict our wishes for the present to a cargo service. The extravagant provisions for passenger accommodation might have beeo left out in the meantime. Reviewing the financial position of the colony, he remarked that the balances at the end of the year were gradually decreasing, and in the course of time this state of things must lead to increased taxation. We ought to proceed with more caution than had' been exhibited during the last two years. He strongly complained thati the Government had not finished the "B" return, which gives detailed information regarding1 the finances of the colony. Mr. Hogg pointed out that the amount Vofed during the session for roads and bridges was only one-sixth of the amount appropriated for railways, and he contended the vote for road's and bridges should be at least one-third of that for railways. Mr. W. Eraser hoped the Cabinet would very soon give authority for the expenditure of a large number of votes on the Estimates, because unless the money was spent early in the spring it would ba useless.

Sir William RustfeDl entered a final protest againsib our ueavy public works expenditure. He was afraid the country did not realise that this must result sooner or later in increased taxation, i The rate at •which we were plunging was appalling. The colony ought not to commit itself for •any length of time to any steamship company for a South African service. Mr. Hasjelden compiiained that while money was poured out on luxuries it was very difficult to get votes i'or roads; and! bridges. Mr. Pirani pointed out the that exißted for some alteration in our present system of finance. Full details of expenditure should be given so that imiemberg cctuld see how the money had been spent. He acknowledged the extreme courtesy that had always been extended to him iii Parliament. .

At 6.ls'the House adjourned till 7.30. The House resumed at 7.30. Sir Joseph Warcl, in replying on the motion for the thirdi readyjg of the Appropriation Bill, said the' estimated revenue and expenditure for the year left & large 'margin on the proper side. The condition of the finances in some of the Australian States had been pointed to as a lerison to this country, but in reply to that he pointed out that the circumstances an dconditions of the Commonwealth were altogether different from ours, and the financial position tfliere Avas not comparab'e with that existing here. He deprecated these predictions that the colony was on the road! to financial ruin and disaster, and said there was not the slightest foundation for such a statement. The customs revenue continued! buoyant, the returns for the last month showing . an increase of £22,800 as compared with the coiresponding montlh last year. The comparative revenue front beer for the same period disclosed a<n increase of £600, and railway receipts a}sp. showed an increase. These figures weife the stronge'str and best answer to the gloomy forebodings preached by .vome members of the Opposisition. With regard to the complaints about tlio non-appearance of the "B" i<etum, Sir Joseph' Ward said tliaib paper was nob yet printed, but would be forwarded to every member of Parliament before the electitans. It had been delayed by the block of work in. the Government Printing Offices. As scion as the defcaii-s of tenders for the South African service were received from the the Government would consider whether any were s|uitable, and :he* hoped thay would be able to ajrange for a service, even if only for a short period, in order; to givo the system ft trial. In conclusion, he reiterated that the revenue in all publia departments was buoyant, and there was not the slightest; ground foi* fearing that any increase in taxation was necessary. On the contrary, during the session the Government had remitted £25,00.0 of taxafiion in one Iviiyxp. »\oq, and had also made considerable concessions in the railway charges, The Bill then passed' its final stages. QUESTION^,

Ministers answered the questions on tha Order Paper while the House was awaiting the return of the Appropriation Bill from the Legislative Council. They stated:—

That it was not at present intended to grant any concession in railway freights on frozen meat.

That the Agent-General was at j>resent inquiring as to the prospects for extending a profitable direct trade to the wepst coast of Itingvand and Scotland.' That the Cabinet would consider the whole question of encouraging returned troopers td setCe upon Crown lands. At 10.5 the Speaker announced that the Appropriation Bill had received the Governor's assent.

Sir Joueplh Wrard said, he dessbed, '» behalf of the House, to express the pleLsune members had experienced in sitting under the presidency of Sir Maurice Q'Rorke as Speaker. Fr«r length of service his Parliamentary record was unequalled in the Australasian colonies, and members fully appreciated the strictly impartial way in which' be had always carried out his high and responsible duties. Itwould be of immense satisfaction to mem-

bers to see him aga'n returned to tihe Houve.

Sir Maurice O'Rorke, in acknowledging the compliment that had been paid him, said he felt much stronger in health of late, but he would reserve his final determination as to whether he would again seek to enter Parliament until he couid consult his oonsftuents. Throughout his career as Spc-jker his sole endeavour had been not for the exercise of power, but for the maintenance of the high reputation •of the House. He remarked that he had never seen the business go more smoothly than in the session, just closing. Sir Joseph Ward also, on behalf of the members, wished' eveiy success and prosperity to the retiring members—Messrs Hutcheson, Pirani, and Carncross, and these three gentlemen made appropriate speeches. -The motion for adjournment was carried by 21 to 19, and the session finally closed at 10.35.