PARLIAMENT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9838, 2 September 1899, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

(Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, September 1. Tho House resumed at 7.30. SYDNEY MAIL SERVICE. Consideration of the Sydney mail steam service was resumed. Mr Miller moved an amendment that tho steamers under the contract bo owned by British or colonial ship-owners and be on the British or Colonial Shipping Register. This was lost by 29 to 7. Tho Premier moved to strike out "four days six hours/ and insert "ninety-six hours." Captain Russell thought that the original proposal of four days six hours should bo retained. Tho reduced time would cost much more. Mr J. Allen said a monthly .service was only playing with the question.. If tho servioo was worth having, it should be a weekly oncj the cost of which would not bo so much niOre. than that of the . monthly one: Mr Fisher urged that a service Between tho Bluff aud Melbourne sKould bo established, which would occupy only three days. ... Tho motion that the service be Umetysix hours was carried by 40 to dB. Tho Premier then moved to report progress, in order to .consider the Loan Bill: Mr Herries objected to certain portions of the resolutions that had alreadybeen passed, which would enable the Premier to accept a tender without further reference to the House. Tho Premier gave an assurance that Iho remainder of the conditions of -a. contract would come before the Houso beforo a tender was accepted. Mr J. Hutcheson urged that before reporting progress an amendment ho intended to propose should bo considered, to the effect that no Asiatic or coloured labour should be allowed on the vessels. Progress was then reported. THE LOAN BILL. The debate on the Loan Bill was resumed by Mr Symes, who complained that of tho railways mentioned in tho schedule, 13 were in the South Island, aud there wero only six in the North Island, showing clearly that the North Island was not getting its fair share of expenditure, while not a. word was said about tho Stratford route to Auckland, or tho extension northward of Waitara. He defended the Stratford route in. preference to tho Central route, as costing? less than half the amount. He referred to the land administration, characterising the Land Boards as litter failures, and urging their abolition. Mr jT Allen contended that Mr Symes.' critioism and that of other Ministerial supporters were the most severe that had been engaged in by any member speaking of the Loan Bill. Ho submitted that it contained no policy but that of perpetuating a borrowing policy of tho worst kind. He had no objection to borrowing, if it could be done in a favourable market and for reproductive works, but he complained that some of tho proposed railways would not pay, and would bo a drag on those that did pay. The policy of railway construction by pietfe-raeal was a wrong one, expenditure should be concentrated upon ono or two of tho moat pressing. It was quite clear that the schedule had been drawn up with a view to gaining support at the coming election. This was degrading to the elector's, and offering no inducement to men of independent reind and reliable .character to enter the House. He condemned the railway expenditure that had taken place on some lines— instancing the Midland Railway, which he said would never pay; while tho Olago Central and North Island Main Trunk, which were desirable lines, had been starved. Mr Kaihau urged that some consideration' should be shown to necessary railway construction in his district. Mr Rolleston said, referring to Mr Kaihau's speech, that nothing had characterised the failure of the present Government more than its dealings with native affairs. What was the reason? Simply because they had lately taken to supporting Party Government, instead of looking after native affairs. He made that statement in the hope that the nativo members would consider their action. Referring to the Bill, he considered that the Premier would take ft wrong course if he tried to force it through, and trusted that it would not go beyond the Bccond reading before the Public Works Eestimates were brought down, and full particulars of the proposed expenditure placed before the House. It was against the constitutional principle to ask the House to vote Money until it was explained what tha money was for. Ho did not disapprove of borrowing, but strongly objected to a policy of norrowing for petty works spread all over the .colony. The House would do a great wrong if it allowed tho Bill to go beyond its second reading until details of expenditure were furnished. After the telegraph office closed, Messrs Rollestou, Cadman, Eraser, Montgomery, Guinness, Heke, and Millar spoke. Tho Premier replied, and the second reading was carried by 29 to 15. The House rose at 3.20.