House of Representatives.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 11975, 19 September 1906, Page 5

House of Representatives.

The House met at 2.30. PRIVATE BUSINESS. The Church Property Trust Amendment Bill, and the Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland Empowering Bill, were read a second time. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Leave of absence was given for lour days to Mr T. Mackenzie, on urgent public business. FIRST READINGS. The Otago Presbyterian Church Board Property Consolidations Bill, the Onslow Borough Drainage Empowering Bill, and the Petone Borough Streets Bill were read a first time. SUPPESR ADJOURNMENT. The Premier moved — "That the usual supper adjournment at-,9.30 p.m. be discontinued for the reralainder of the session." He held that the experience of the last few weeks amply justified the new departure, adding that there was no mention of rising at 11, because he felt euro if due diligence wero observed all business fin future would be over by 11 o'clock. If by any mischance business were ever obstructed they would of course have to sit beyond that hour. > The motion was agreed to on the voices. THIRD READINGS. The Fire Brigades Bill, Payment of Jurors Bill, Habitual Criminals Bill, and the Horowhenua Block Amendment Bill, were read a third time. The Maori Land piajms Adjustment and Laws Amendment Bill" (in Committee) passed through wiih ang&ndmehts made by the Native Affains Committee. GOVERNMENT ADVANCES TO SETTLERS AMENDMENT BILL. Messrs Jennings, Hogg, Flatman, Laurenson, and Wilford having spoken, Sir Joseph Ward rojilied, promising to consider if the provisions in the measure could not be extended to the Maori people, and thanking lion, members for the reception acorded to the Bill. - The Bill was read a second time on the voices. TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTSCONTROL BILL. The Hon. Sir J. Ward, in moving the second reading, explained that the Bill was chiefly a machinery Bill for the better and more uniform control of the whole tourist system. Mr Herries, far from opposing the Bill, thought it waß a pity it did not go further and get a chance of doing useful wor.k. He thought the head of the Department, who he admitted to be an excellent tourist agent, was too much away from the colony. He considered that the want of organisation and discipline required a radical change in the management in th« whole Department. The chief want was of concentration and unification of authority. Criticising the management at Rotorua, he said it would be much better if the place were made a municipality, and it could not be worse than it is now. Sir W. Steward made a suggestion for the Committee stage. Mr Laurenson warned the House against too much, encouragement of a demoralising traffic. Mr Hogg urged more protection for "beauty spots," and thought that the tourists who think of nothing but sport and pastimes ought not to be encouraged to the detriment of the producing interest, which deserved first consideration. He thought more ought to be done at Rotorua and ont-her sanatoriums for the old and infirm people of the colony. Mjessrs Hall, Eill, Stallworthy, and Rutherford also spoke. Mr Hall suggested more free beds at Rotorua. The discussion was carried on by Messrs Wilford, Bennett, Mander, Greenslade, Poland, Flatman, Fraser, and Barber. The Premier, in reply, pointed out that there seemed to be much misapprehension about the Tourist Department. The Department was not responsible for the introduction of deer, and it had nothing whatever to do with foreshores or with annexing springs and other things. Much nonsense was talked about deer stalking as the exclusive amusement of the globe trotter, but the Department knew of its own knowledge that for every outside stalker there are 50 New Zea landers. There was an idea of gross extravagance, but the cost of the Department was JS4OOO, it earned ,£16,000, and the lowest estimate of the annual tourist expenditure set it down at ,£350,000. As to animals, brown bears, blue bears, yellow bears, or any other wild animals, the Tourist Department had never asked for the introduction of a single wild animal. As for free beds, the Government has as much sympathy for the poor aa any member of the House, and

has done a good deal for them in this very matter, and hon. members might have said so while they were about it. , The House adjourned at 5.30. The House resumed at 7.30.

The Hon. the Premier, continuing, referred to what had been said about Rotorua. He said that when the Tourist Department took up Rotorua the place was actually valueless. Since then much money has been spent on the water supply, lighting, drainage, grounds, improvements to various springs, streets, roads and bathing establishments. The Rotorua people had the benefit of all these things, and had never had to pay a rate. For his part he thought they were very lucky people indeed. His hon. friend who represented the place wanted the whole of the benefits to be handed over to the citizens, without their paying anything or being rated or pledging themselves in any way. He didn't blame the hon. gentleman. On the contrary, he commended him for playing a game understood by both sides, but the House must not take it for criticism of Rotorua, which was a very up-to-date place indeed. Referring to Mr Donne, who had. he told the House, done so much for the Department, organising, etc., and bringing it up-to-date, he defended that gentleman from the insinuations of the debate, and told the House that he had received several offers from Australia and America of better salary, in one case amounting to .£I2OO a year, to secure his services. THE JUVENILE OFFENDERS' BILL.

Tlie Juvenile Offenders Bill was received from the Legislative Council, with amendments, consideration of which was deferred till next sitting day. •

SALE OF EXPLOSIVES BILL.

Tlie Sale of Explosives Bill was received from the Council, and read a first time.

TOWN DISTRICTS BILL.

The second reading of the Bill was moved by th© Premier, who said it was greatly needed. The second reading was carried. The second readings of the Training Ships Bill and Coal Fields and Mines Act Amendment Bill were read a second time. The House adjourned at 10.30.