House of Representatives.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 8241, 9 September 1905, Page 6

House of Representatives.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. Mr T. E. Taylor (Christchurch) presented a petition signed by B. F. Rogers and thirteen others, praying for a judicial enquiry into the voucher which Messrs Willis, West and Larcombc say they saw at Christchurch, which they claimed represented a payment to Captain Seddon. The Premier moved that the petition be referred direct to the M to Z Petitions Committee. Mr Taylor said he had received several largely-signed petitions to the same effect, and, he urged, it was only reasonable that a full public judicial enquiry should be held. The Premier's motion was agreed to on the voices. A similar petition was presented by Mr F. _I. B. Fisher (Wellington), and that also was referred direct to the M to Z Petitions Committee. In reply to Mr Massey, Mr Seddon said the Public Works Statement was ready, and it would be brought down as soon as Mr Massey's amendment on the land question was disposed of. The Mining Acts Compilation BiU and Coal Mines Act Compilation Bill were read a second time pro,forma. THE ESTIMATES. A 3.30 p.m. the House went into Committee of Supply for the further consideration of the Estimates. Stamps and Deeds Department —£30,535. —Mr F. E. Baume (Auckland) moved a reduction of £1 as an expression of the opinion that a change should be made in the method of taxation of deceased persons' estates. The Chairman of Committees ruled that a question of policy could not be discussed on the estimates. The vote for the class was passed unaltered. Minos Department, £25,1-10.—In reply to questions, the Hon. J. McGowan said that Professor Bell was engaged in making a geological survey of the Colony, which would be of service for all time. Objection was taken by several members to the item " Grants to Libraries in Mining Townships, £100," on the ground that it was unfair to favour one particular indus-

.IT. Mr G. Fowlds 'Grey Lynn) moved that the item be struck out. The Hon. J. McGowan explained that the item, " Grants to Libraries in Mining Townships," was for the miners working at the State coal mines, and Mr Fowlds therefore did not press his motion. The total vote was passed unaltered. The Labour Department, £11,924.—Mr James Allen (Bruce) asked the Premier what he was going to do about the delays in the work of the Arbitration Court. Mr Seddon said that Government were bringing in a Bill to provide that certain cases should be taken by Magistrates. The Judge of the Arbitration Court had assured him that an effort would be made to bring the work up to date and keep it up to date. The question was whether another Judge for the Arbitration Court should be appointed, or whether the present Judge should be relieved of Appeal Court work. In his opinion, Arbitration Court work should be paramount, and he would communicate with the Chief Justice as soon as possible. The total vote was passed unaltered. Department of Lands and Survey, £IG,lo9.—The Leader of the Opposition moved a reduction of £1 in the. item •'Auditor of Land Revenue, £.00," as an indication that the auditing of the Lands Department and other Departments should be made by the Auditor-General and not by Department's officers.

The Minister for Lands pointed out that it was only the revenue of the Lands Department that was not audited by the Audit Department. Every shilling of expenditure was audited by the AuditorGeneral. Mr Massey's motion was lost by 27 to 21. Mr F. Fisher (Wellington) complained of the extravagant expense on posters in connection with land which was never let. Mr W. Hawkins (Pahiatua) protested against the unbusinesslike method pursued by the Land Department in connection with its advertising.

Mr Fisher moved that the item " Temporary assistance, £20,000," be reduced by £1 as an indication that temporary clerks with lengthy service should be placed on the permanent staff of the Department.

Mr A. W. Hogg (Masterton) pointed out that although these large sums were being voted great areas of land'in the Colony were

being inaccessible to would-be settlers. The money was of no benefit to the people who jvoro eager to get on the land.

Mr Fisher's motion was negatived by 35 to 23.

Mr A. W. Hogg (Masterton) moved to re duce the contingency vote by £1 as an indication that the feo of £1 Is charged to Crown lessees on transfers should bo reduced.—Lost by 32 to 21.

Mr M. M. Kirkbride (Manakau) urged that the proposed vote of £3COO for the eradication of noxious weeds on Crown lands should be increased to £5000. The same amount of £3CCO was, he pointed out, voted last year and only £811 was expended and ho moved to reduce the vote this year by £1 way of protest. FinaHy, the total vote passed unaltered. The House rose at 3 a.m.