AUSTRALIAN COAL FOR N.Z.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160739, 27 August 1920, Page 9

AUSTRALIAN COAL FOR N.Z.

(By Telegraph—Special to “Ilerald.”) WELLINGTON, August 20. The Premier, who had informed a deputation during the morning of how nar* rowly New Zealand railways had escaped curtailed services owing to the lack of Australian coal importations, told tho House to-day that he had received a satisfactory answer from the Australian Prime Minister —satisfactory so far an it went, because, although New Zealand could not get all the coal it needed, considerable quantities were being loaded, and would arrive in New Zealand during the next fortnight. This would relievo the pressure which existed in the principal centres.

Ed speedier prosecution of public works for the development of the country. Native lands should be fully taxed where they were not being properly utilised by the owners. Dr Pom arc said he could not understand the arguments advanced relative to native lands. Surely the lands conliscaled in the past were sufficient to pay taxation for all the natives. The trouble was that those who were so keen to get the remaining native land taxed were really most concerned in the endeavour to obtain that laud for themselves. Complaint had been made that Maoris were not efficient farmers, and that, therefore, the land should be taken away. 110 pointed out that a Chinaman could get more out of an acre of ground than a pakoha, but would members agree that for that reason land should bo taken from the pakoha and given to Chinamen? Mr Mitchell urged tho adoption or more up-to-date methods of carrying out public works, and tho institution of a State ferry service across Cook Strait. Mr Mac Donald said the main requirement of tlie country to-day was increased production, and to gain that transport facilities were necessary. Districts cut off from communication with the rest of the country, such as the hirst Coast, should have first consideration in regard to railway construction works. Replying to statements concerning native lands, Mr Mac Donald said the work done by the two Native Ministers, Sir James Carroll and Sir William Kerries, had been as beneficent for the native owners as was humanly possible. Mr McCombs declared that Auckland should not be permitted to levy such a heavy toll on the Consolidated Funds in the matter of public works expenditure. He cited figures showing that Auckland obtained as much money for roads, etc., as the whole of the South Island. It was time the rest of New Zealand outside Auckland got justice in public works appropriations. Mr Hawkcn said if the Government could not manage to carry out railway works, local bodies ought to be empowered to do so. So far as the North versus South controversy was concerned, he considered the reply was that where progress was there must expenditure be. Mr Hudson advocated small Harbour Boards being assisted by the loan of small dredges. The debate was continued by Messrs Smith (Taranaki), McLeod, Sykes, and Field, who mainly discussed local questions.

Just before midnight the lion. Coates rose to answer questions put to him by Mr Wilford earlier in the debate, relating to the electrification of the Otira tunnel. He said the questions seemed to imply that something not quite fair and above-board had been done. This was not so. 'The greatest care was taken in considering the two tenders, and the paint which weighed mostly with tho Tenders Hoard was the efficiency of the machinery which tho tendering companies possessed to make a thoroughly good job. It was considered that tire English company possessed this merit to a greater extent than the National Company, and a comparison of prices also showed the English Company’s charges to be slightly less than the National Company’s. Further, the National Company was not a manufacturing concern, and that was provided for in the tender. Mr Parry had been adviser to the Government, but he was not so now, and his advice had not been asked in connection with tho tender. After midnight the debate was carried on by Messrs Young and Horn, when tho Bill passed through all stages unamended, and the House rose at 12.39 a.m.