PARLIAMENT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14340, 9 July 1914, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 8. The House mot at 2.30. ELECTIVE MINISTRY. Mr Hanan was granted leave to introduce the Election of Ministers and Parliamentary Government Bill. HARBOURS AMENDMENT. The Hon. Fisher introduced the Harbours Amendment Bill. QUESTIONS. la reply to questions. Ministers said: A Bill would be submitted this session dealing with the whole question of roads and bridges and town planning. A Bill was now under consideration and if time permitted would be submitted to Parliament. It was not proposed to make provision for a special defence tax. In view of the increased cost of operation of the Railway Department, the Government cannot sea its way to reduce fares on children between 5 ami LI, or raise the age of those carried free. A satisfactory automatic signalling device has been designed for level crossings, and will be installed at busy railwav crossings as opportunity offers. The question of controlling the sale of wine made by Austrians was receiving consideration. It was not proposer! to provide military pensions for Maori war veterans who were not under fire. NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION. DEBATE RESUMED. The debate on the no-eonfideneo motion was resumed by Mr.'G. M. Thompson, who said the Opposition throughout the debate bad presented no constructive criticism. The Opposition was a band of unholy alliances, and if let loose, would create chaos. He advocated the appointment of a Director of Agriculture and a forestry expert. Wasteful domestic methods were conducive to the high cost of living.

Mr J. C. Thomson held that there was not any constructive policy in the Governor’s speech. Mr Massey was opposed to closer settlement and the provision of cheap money. The Government had preached economy, yet the Governor’s speech showed a large increase in expenditure. Neither had there been anv reduction in taxation. High land values were responsible for the increased rent, and not the cost of houses. A conference of land valuers should be called to provide a scientific system of valuation. Groat care should bo taken with regard to the reform of the Council.

Mr ITan an said Ministers were showing remarkable reluctance to defend their administration. Only the Minister of Public AVorks had spoken, and his speech was weak and colourless. It had been claimed that the Government had carried out its pledges, but no one could seriously make such a nrotonce. The House resumed at 7.30.

Mr Hannn, continuing, warned the House against wasteful expenditure on defence, and declared that it was impossible to obtain information as to the. expenditure now being indulged in. He chided the Government with following with slavish'docility the advice of the defence authorities, and traversed the decisions by some of tho committees set up hv the Government to whitewash Ministers.

Mr Anderson commended the work clone bv the Public Service Commissioners, claiming that they hod done an immense service to the Dominion. In their last report tbev had shown how £BO.OOO per vcar could bo saved, besides developing a business system in connection wPh the departments, by which wc could tell exactly the financial position of those departments. On the question of land settlement he'urged that good as our present system was the State should still further assist oxnerienced farmers who were without capital. An extension of the Advances Department was necessary, largely on the lines dong which land and stock agents had assisted settlers to cot stock and implements. Tie advocated insistence upon more being paid to all workers, especially to young women in the cities. Ho condemned the present partv system which was conducive to nothing so much ns the waste of time. As a remedy.ho suggested proportional representation and an elective executive. He would vote against the amendment because the Government had been administering the afairs of the country in a’ way tli.it reflected credit on them and was a benefit to the Dominion.

THE DIVISION. GOVERNMENT'S SLENDER MAJORITY. A division was then taken on the amendment moved b v Sir Joseph Ward, the voting being as follows: AYES; NOES; Atmore Allen Brown Anderson Buxton Bollard, J. Carroll Bollard, R. F. Colvin Bradncy Craigia Buchanan Davey Bmck Dickie Campbell Ell Coates Forbes Dickson Glover Escott Uanan Fisher Hindmarsh Phaser Isitt Guthrie MeCallum Harris McCombs Herdman Mac Donald Herries McKorda Hino Mver.s Hunter Parata Lee Pavno Malcolm Poland Marnier Rangihiroa Massey Robertson Nmnu.m, A. K. Ttuvell Nosworthy S<vidon Okey Sidev Pearce Smith. R. W. Pom are Thomson. J. C. Reed Veitch Rhodes, R. H. Ward Rhodes, T. W. Webb Scott Wilford Smith. F, H. ■Witty Statbam Svkes Thomson, G. M. ■Wilkinson WiUon . Young For the. amendment (34): Against the amendment (39)’: Majority for Government .. 5 Th» naira, were:— Against the amendment:—E. Newman, Bell. For the amendment; Buddo,' Ngata