HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12346, 16 October 1909, Page 5

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THURSDAY EVENING'S SITTINGS

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON. October 15

The House resumed in the evening

Mr Anderson continued the debate, followed by the Prime Minister, who said he had never heard anything like the speech of Mr Allen, for wilful misrepresentation. He had been invited to give specific instances of attempts made to injure the credit of the colony. Stataments made by public men, though

perhaps not intended to have a bad effect, had undoubtedly damaged the j reputation of the Dominion. The Leader lof the Opposition, speaking in the j House last year, said that if the Go- ! vernment did not feel inclined to put

the brake on, he hoped the money lenders would. The Sydney "ißulletin" had stated that the bottom had been knocked out of Maoriland. The member for Bruce had said that the Dominion had drifted into such a position tha + a financial breakdown was

imminent. All these statements were sufficient proof that the idea had been disseminated that New Zealand was on the verge of bankruptcy. He denied that the country had ever been in financial difficulties. The member for Bruce had. in a speech, commended the Government's financial policy and expressed satisfaction at the surplus, and the provsion for sinking funds. The methods pursued by the Opposition for the- purpose of obtaining political ascendancy were absolutely unjustifiable. Dealing with Allen's speech on the Ad-dress-in-R«ply, Sir Joseph Ward accused the member for Bruce of inaccurate statements in regard to finance. Much had been said of the Government's borrowing money in the Dominion, but the fact was that only £31,750 had been borrowed. It had been stated that £824,900 from the Post Office Savings Bank had been appropriated by the Government, but £100,000 of this sum was treasury bills. A portion of this

sum had been also devoted to the Ad

vances to Settlers. The member for Bruce was one of those financial cormorants who approached the treasury for funds, and had publicly said that if any plunder was going, he would have his share. He defended the Government's action in connection with the Midland Railway, which was the 'only possible course open to it. As to tho depression for the six months ending 30th September, the total revenue was £3,865,000, and the balance for Ihe same period was 0£59,380, which compared very favourably with the corresponding period of last year. On 1 the ■same date, the Government had £280,000 available for lands for settlement. Regarding borrowing from the A.M,P. Society, it was said that the Government had taken large sums <.f money which would dtherwise be vailr|)le for ordinary purposes, but the fact was that the money had come from -he Australian office. He was getting tired of the cry about driving capital out of the country. The only people who were taking money out of the Dominion were those who made fortunes in New Zealand. Some men who reaped the reward of public policy in" this country, were those who took capital away to earn larger profits elsewhere. The member for Wairarapa had urged the Government to buy a large estate which would only support half a dozen men. This was not the policy of the Government. Sir Joseph Ward said he would have the whole land question threshed out this session, but the Government had no intention of buying estates at enormous prices, which wouid mean ruin to unfortunate settlers. The Premier defended the expenditure in connection with the .visit of the American fleet. v

Mr Allen denied that the Dominion was on the verge of bankruptcy. What he had said was that under certain conditions, we were bound to make default. That was to say, unless the Government raised Sanother sloan to carry on the Midland Railway.

Mr Massey complained that the Premier was quoting part of the former's speech without "reference to the context, and defended his remarks on the Government's borrowing. policy. Mr T. Taylor. Christchurch, congratulated the Premier on his speech, especially on the statement re the land question. This was a more important announcement than any to be found in the Governor's speech. If the Premier settled the land question, he would deserve better of the country than any man who had ever occupied his position. Parliament had no right to endeavour to discharge duties which ought to be performed by local bodies. An immense saving could be effected by reform in piiblic works administration in the direction of creating local boards. Public works should be paid for out of local taxation. This would reduce the number of demands for expenditure. He suggested a referendum being taken on the Land Tenure question, and advocated constitutional reform in the direction of an elective executive and Legislative Council.

Mr Fraser spoke on the financial position, traversing the Premier's remarks on the Opposition attitude.

Mr Reed continued the debate

The House rose at 11.20 p.m