THE HOUSE.

West Coast Times, Issue 12002, 30 August 1901, Page 3

THE HOUSE.

Wellington, Aug 29 The House met at 2.30.

RAILWAY CLASSIFICATION.

Sir Joseph Ward aunounced that a Toto taken amongst permanent hands in 4he railway v rshshops and casual hands -who have been more than twelve months in the railway service had resulted as .follows : — For retention of service under present classification scheme 1325, for Registration under the Conciliation and Arbitration Act, '82 . Sir Joseph Ward added that in the face of this poll, there would of course, be no interference with the existing Btate of things. FINANCIAL. DEBATE. > Mr Gilfelde" resumed the debate on tho financial statement, The greater part of his speech was devoted to an exhaustive review of educatioual matters arrising out of the investigations of the teachers commission. Mr Buddo thought the Crown lands in the North Island should be settled for the purpose of taking away that particular part of the labour of the Colony that must in the near future, bo dispensed wjth from our public works. Mr Laurenson counselled a halt in regard to public expenditure and moved as an amendment that m the opinion of this House the Government should in troduce a bill for tho purpose of establishing a state bank of June, or an issue department in the Colonial Treasury In reply to a question Sir Joseph • "yVardsaid the Government would not supperb the amendment as the time had not arrived for the practical consideration of the question. The amendment was then put and negatived by 35 10 10. JVIr Millar said it was time the Ilcuee JouLd out how the country really stood I in regard to its finances. It was absolutely impossible for the Colony to go on at the rate we had betn going on during the past ten years. The debate was interrupted at 5.30. 'j.ho Honse resumed at 7.30. jUr Millar continuing his speech pictared the results of one bad year when all sources of revenue would fail, and declared if members themselves did not effectually put on the brake the country ■would compel them to within a couple of years. Mr Fowld's thought the colony had been liviDg somewhat in a fools paradise and also counselled putting on the brake: Pa considered it to be to tho benefit o^

the Colony it the land tax were increased and customs reduced. Mr Hornsby annonuced his intention when thuestimatts were under con '"'deration of contesting every one of tho increases. He protested strongly against the military caste and system which was growing up, and said when the Defence vote came on he vronld move for its redaction by one half.