THE HOUSE IN SESSION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LIX, Issue 9931, 30 July 1908, Page 7

THE HOUSE IN SESSION.

NOTES AND JOTTINGS,

ECHOES FKOM THE LOBBIES.

THE FINANCIAL DEBATE

{Parliamentary Special.)

A debate of a somewhat unusual kind took up a large part of yesterday afternoon in the House of Representatives. It arose out of a report of the Jfetitious Committee in reference to soma petitions that have been presented to Parliament for roads aud public works. The Committee last, session remonstrated on tlio ground that such applications should bo made direct to tho Minister .of Public Works, instead of taking up the time of Parliament. Again camo tho renioustrauco. Messrs Herries, Laug, and some of tho Northern members whose constituents are responsible for the petitions in question, naturally "defended the right of the petitioners to have their grievances aud claims duly investigated.by a Select Committee, but the bulk of a thin House, after expending a great deal of time aud language, decided that in future such petitions should be referred to the Minister of Public Works.

proposal to pass au Imprest •ShIIBf Bill provoked a milituut spirit on the part of certain members of the House last eveuiug. Mr James Alleu protested against the apathetic indiffereuco of the bone, sinew audniauhoorl of New Zealand regarding volunteering ami military drill. Ho suggested that every youth between nine years aud twenty-one should devote a considerable portion of his spare hours to drill exercise aud instruction aud camp duty. Mr Wilford dilatad on the necessity for coastal defeuce and mobilisation, but contended that European Powers rather than Japan or China, would have to be viewed with apprehension. Mr Fisher criticised in a somewhat disparaging fashion the condition of onr volunteers, but the Premier, in a spirited reply, pointed out that the Dominion was doing its best to foster a truly patriotic spirit, and that defence was by no means overlooked.

The continued delay in the appearance of the Native Land Commission's reports was referred to in the House of Representatives on Tnesday evening. Mr Herries said it was to be regretted that no reports of the Coiaessiou had been preseuted to the Hoiiro su far. Members were anxious to know how far the legislation of last session had assisted in the settlement of Native lauds. It was runionred that certain amendments to the Act were to be introduced to make it workable. The House should receive a definite statement as to what the Native policy of the Government was. Tiie Premier said that the reports of the Native Laud Commission would be laid on the table of the House without unnecessary delay. The Commission had done very valuable work.

"It is simply degrading that members should be compelled to beg, bow and scrape for votes for public works as they now have to," said Mr F. Mander, member for Marsdeu. "Even then it frequently happens that the members fail to get what they ask." Mr M'Lachlan said he has no "backblocks" to look after, but he never had auy difficulty in getting what he wauted. "Treat the Government .•well, and they will treat you well," said the member for Ashburtou. "I have absolutely uothing to complain of, aud my hope is, 'Long live the Government. , " (Laughter).

Over a thousand sawmillers and iv the Westlaud timber are petitioning, through Mr T. E. Y. Seddon, that should the Government decide to grant the protection sought, to safeguard the public against undue inflation of prices the selling price of timber should be fixed from time to time by the Government, as circumstances may demand. The millers further ask that as the tariff of 2s per hundred feet on American timber has failed, the import duty should be raised to 5s per hundred feet. The petitioners added their appreciation of any legislation directed against the undue exploitation by New Zealand millers of the prices for their products. In the Legislative Council, on Tuesday, the Hon. J. Barr gave notice to move:—"That in the opinion of this Council it is in the best interests of the country that the Government should take into immediate consideration the devising of some practical means whereby the heavy cost of living at present borne by the married workers, as compared with the unmarried may be lessened, and that the position of those with families be specially considered, so that the reariaAof their children may be lookisSßorward to with less anxiety than at present, and parenthood thereby encouraged."