PRE-SESSIONAL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 8 September 1908, Page 5

PRE-SESSIONAL.

MR J. T. HOGAN, M.P., AT THE OPERA HOUSE.

h ,A JTO number ot electors assem- , £ t th r °r, pera House la6t evening, when Mr J. T. Hogan, M.P., delivered Jn address cm the work of the last session of Parliament. His Worship the Mayor (Mr C. E Mackay) occupied the chair and approl pnately introduced Mr Hogan In his opening remarks, Mr Hogan |vho was well received, explained that this was an address he owed his constituents It was not a Parliamentary ttddress, but he was merely, carrying out his already-expressed intention of putting the electors in possession of information relative to the work of the f^Ts* + He «xPla»\ed that he had intended to address the electors earlier, -i 1?? Fmdlay had taken the only available opportunity. y Mr Hogan then went on to say that tno last session was the longest on record and at the same time one of the most important. "He quoted statistics relative to the details of the work done In reviewing the work of the session Mr Hogan quoted the Chinese Immigration Act, Flour and Othe? Products Monopoly Bill, which, although not going so far as he would have liked was a step in the direction of having the price of food regulated S State His opinion was that the State should run the flour mills A Voice: And timber mills. . t, ij ?^ a>n:TTv° v are Quite right- it should do so. Continuing", Mr Hogan said the next hesV thing- would be to rivo municipalities power to run flour

The Gaming and Lotteries Bill was supported by Mr Hogan, though he Vj n«J* agree with all its provisions. Ho voted for it with the object of saving the good in it. + Tkfijf.l"* Food-Act was next referred to. This Mr Hogan voted for, as it was much needed.

Phe Land and Income Assessment Act was a measure to compel big landholders to cut up their holdings? without the intervention of the Government It was really putting into operation the policy of the late Hon. John Ballance. Mr Hpgan quoted, figures to enow the success ot this measure in reducing the size of estates." The people who were hungry to get on the land nc-vv had a better opportunity of doino--60. Speaking, of the Land Bill, Mr .Hogan said it had always been \his opinion that the land trouble was at tho root of all difficulties. Of course it was idle to dream of land nationalisation. It was not worth while considering it, because neither_ this, nor the next nor the succeeding generation would see it adopted. If we could estimate tho benefits that would accrue to tho Colony there, would not be so much difficulty in bringing about nationalisation. So far as the 999 years' base was concerned Mr Hogan was glad the Government had not^bi-oken its promise to the men who took up land under that tenure. Speaking of the provisions giving tenants the right to acquire the leasehold. Mr Hogan said that perhaps the Government had gone back upon the principles previously laid down, but he * contended that it was impossible to get through any legislation which would be inimical to the interests of fully 25 per cent, of the members of the House. The Crown tenants were given the option >6f purchasing at to-day's values. The Opposition had proposed that they should have the option of getting it at the original value. What tenant would convert v. his., leasehold;.f ,<Jr aa freehold* to-day? ,Not; one. People-(including members of the Opposition). wereiVnov beginning to 'see''that'-the"Government" had not really departed from,, its previous determination not to allow any further land to pass into private possession. Some holders of the 999 years'; lease had paid the original owners £8 per acre and they .were.; not likely tj> pay the Government another £12, making a total of £20 per acre. To-day the State held practically the same quantity of land as before the Act went through. While the. Government had been attacked in some quarters^ it was..apparent, on analysis, that Parliament I had been on the side of the leaseholder. The Government made a very progressive step and New Zealand's land legislation was the most advanced in the world. Mr Hogan then spoke^pf-cthe 66 years' lease~and: quoted figures tor show that, so far from it proving a failure as predated, it had been very [largely availed :of;-r: ? . . Mr Hogan eulo,gised the National Endowment Act, which had as its object the setting . aside of land to. provide^revenue for old age pensions and charitable: aid. Seven million acres (which would be increased to nine million acres,; when grazing leases fell in) \had; been set aside, and Mr Hogan contended" it: was impossible to estimate the value of this land in 25 years' time, let alone 50 or 100 years.' It was a great example of foresight on the part of the Government to put the old age pensions beyond the whim of any future Governments. The money would be assured and the old age pensioners and those requiring charitable aid would be provided for without strain upon the country's revenue. Mr Hogan then reviewed the Advances to Workers Act, the provisions of which he explained in detail. He contended that it was a fine measure, which would be of much benefit to the working man, who, on the easiest terms possible, would be able to buy a home for himself.

The Tariff Reform Act was next dealt with, Mr Hogan pointing out that the reductions in duties totalled £405,250. He had made inquiries as to whether, the people were reaping the benefit of these reductions and in every case he found they were doing so. Dealing with general topics, Mr HoRan said he wished first of all to refute the current story about a coalition between the Government and the Opposition. The statement, which emanated from the Opposition, was too absurd for words. Mr Hogan said1 he had no desire to throw mud at the Opposition, the members of which were welcome to their own: opinions and welcome to enr deavour to legislate for the class they represented. Nevertheless he thought, fair criticism should be indulged in. Ho wished to say clearly that the day of the Opposition was gone. There wero to-day only. 16 Opposition, members as against 64 Government supporters. :He recognised that the Opposition had done good work and scrutinised carefully every class of Bill that came along. One of the.best men and the hardest worker in the House was Mr Massey, who, Mr Hogan thought, should receive an ..extra honorarium and be provided with secretarial assistance. The Second Ballot Act would result practically in the elimination of the Opposition, who, he ventured to predict, would have only 9 members elected^ the next election. This Act would also result in the election of a better class of men. He could see plainly that in the future the Liberal Party would be divided into two—Liberals and Progressive Liberals.

Mr Hogan said that although but a youngster in politics he wished to show his constituents that they had not suffered as a result of his stewardship. First he referred to the establishment of a State Coal Depot, which had effected a saving of £1350 to customers

who had bought coal in ton lots. To the man who bought in quarter ton lots, the saving had boon £2500. Thn amount of, money circulated amongst our business people m the supply of carts, etc., was £1681. While 'regretting that any private coal merchants

might have baeri injured, Mr Ho/*a:i said he could not do other than he had, as it was his object to do the greatest good to the greatest number.

Mr Hogan said he was a member of tho Railways, Land, and Local Biils Committees, which eat from 10.30 am. to 1 p.m., their work being outside Urn ordinary hours of House sittings.

Regarding the capitation allowed to x? 7? and Payments to bandmasters Mr Hogan took some credit for obtaining for battalion bands an-allowance of £50 per year, as was granted to ijyiyjson bands.

Speaking of the scenic beauties en the Wanganui river, Mr Hogan said ho drafted the clause: in the Scenc-y Preservation Act by which the Stalo was empowered to transfer scenic laud from the control of the Native Land boards to the Government. A 9 a result of this, large areas of land'had been reserved on tha banks of the WanBan vi river, a boon the value of which' could .-not be fully appreciated now. continuing; his account of his stewardship, Mr Hogan pointed out that the Wanganui Post Office had been raised to the first grade and now racked with the four chief c?ntre*. A police station had been established at Aramoho, a post and telegraph office (a two-storied brick building) was being erected at Aramoho, a post and telegraph office had been established at &astbrook and a post office at Gonville One at St. John's was contemplated', fet. Johns railway station had been enlarged,, the wharf shed was bein°doubled in size, the Technical School had had pretty well all the grants it wanted—a vote having been increased from £300 to £1000: There were many other smaller but Mr'-'Hogan' said he would not speak of them. Another thing in which Mr Hogan had interested^ himself was the nationalisation of the Wanganui river. As a result of his efforts, the. matter was t»ow, being inquired into by the Government and he hoped before long the service would ba taken over by the Government. If it was, not it "would not be his fault.

Mr Hogan said he had made six visits to the country at the hack of Wanganm. and knew the whole terri-' tory between Taumarunui arid this district. He said there was a kind of coalition between -the members for the districts between Taranaki and Ranoitikei, each of whom did all in his power to forward the other's interests. Mr Hosran said that Unfortunately ifc was the custom to judge a member by the amount of money he got for his district. There should be a local body S3'st-sm that should take money-gettin°-out of the member's hands. His time should not be taken up with this work, and no Government should be subjected to request's for grants., A member should agree to devote bis whole time to the legislation" of other countries, etc. The present system was too much like making a member a Road Board delegate. \ But, while the. present system continued, each member should take off bis coat and go in to get all he could for his district. He intended to do that. Mr Hogan then quoted the amounts which he had succeeded in obtaining for Wangahui and the immediate district, it ' totalling £21,223. A sum of £1250 had been revoted from the previous session, which left a net amount of £20,000. Wanganui had succeeded in getting all the inoriey which had been voted; in ".fact," members had complained that Wanganui had obtained too much—the amount stated,by Mr Jas. Allen to be 108 per cent, of the sum voted. .

As to the future, MrHogan. said if he were given the opportunity he -.would endeavour to hare factories established in Wanganui^ and in this connection -he mentioned woollen mills. There should be a Beautification Society to promote the beauty of the town and suburbs. He thought the time was arriving ■ when the - Harbour Board should purchase a powerful: dredge— one .costing, :.say,,. £50,000.'■ 'An art gallery was among the other things he hoped to see established. ;.; / ; In concluding^ vMr^Hogan 4 «aid he did not intend to open his campaign yet if he was left alone^as he : did not see any use in tiring his committees. If it was necessary he would be out again shortly

Mr Hogan, who wa;s^jgiton a very patient Hearing, resunaeii" his;*eat amid applause.: • .; ;: .. -...'^j ~.:,_ A number of questions (?were asked, and in reply thereto Mr'Hggan said:— With regard to the farm "labourers' dispute, he did notithmk-v^anember of Parliament was Justine*! in; casting reflections of any, kind/on;fac^ Supreme Court judge, ;, ; he didcn'ot thjnk a municipality should have np\yer-,tp delegate to a private person the power to supply the public wj+h meat .fhat he was in favour of a S-ate. Bank; that he was not averse to taxing bachelors if it would afford any relief to married men; that he had not made, a mistake in inviting Dr Findlay to eoeak in Wanganui.; that tenders should be called for all mail services; that duty 6hould be removed from, Oregon pine; that the State should be a, model employer, all its employees being on the same footing as those in private employ; that he agreed with the principle of the referendum but did not think it would be wise (on/account of the expense) to bring it into operation generally. :

Mr H. J. Turner, in moving a vote of thanks to Mr Hogari, said he had mven a good account of himself, and proved a real live member.

The motioiij on being put was carried ■. = • ..■■-•

Mr Hogan then spoke feelingly of tho late. Mr A. D. Willis, and 'moved that a resolution of sympathy with Mrs Willis and family be forwarded to them. " . -~■•■-"

-The motion was carried in silence. The, usual compliment to the chair closed the proceedings.

Mr A. Pollak, a Hungarian, is the inventor of an instrument by means of which, he can transmit 40,000 words per- hour over the telephone. There are three, parts to Mr Pork's machine---the perforator, the 'transmitter and the receiver. The first can bo worked by any type writer jii he other two are strictly automatic, working through the agency of electricity and photography. Mr Pollak has discovered a means of harnessing light to electricity, a method by which he can control the movement or a tiny spot of light hundreds of miles away as surely as though he had the mirror reflecting it in.his own hand. "My machine," he told an .interviewer, | 'is like a human body. The receiver is the hand holding the mirror. The transmitter with its wires is the arm equipped with nerves and muscles. The perforator is the brain, which communicates its orders to the. arm and hand. Obedient to the directions stamped on the ribbon of .the-perlqrator the mirror moves, writing .the message in letters of light upon the sensitised paper." When the Pollak-Virag instruments are installed at the telegraph offices of London, a clerk is-tpld to despatch a telegram. He sits down at his type writing machine and perforates a slip. The slip is enclosed in an envelope and Bent to the telegraph office. Here another clerk^ places it in the . transmitter of the Pollak-Virag instrument, and in a few seconds the message ie reproduced without further human agency in the telegraph office of Manchester, or Paris or any city within telephone reach of ♦ + S\ R? cen% the apparatus was tested by the French Government between Pans and Marseilles and. other land wires up to a length equal to the sfe?F. ketweenTaris and Borne with absolutely perfect results.