Parliament.

Woodville Examiner, Volume XXI, Issue 3573, 3 July 1903, Page 3

Parliament.

Wednesday. Li House. Mr H. G. Ell presented ajpemiou in favour of convening the i^ank of New Zealand into a State Bank. Petitions were also presented in favour of the abolition of trade coupons, and for and against the toiaiisator. MrJ.A. Millar presented a petition from a number of hotelkeepers at Dunedin, praying for compensation on account of having been deprived of their licenses. A large number of new bills were iutroduc. d and read a first time. In reply to questions Ministers stated that proposals would be submitted to the House dealing with the thorough equipment of training colleges for teachers. It was hoped these proposals would be an improvement on the present system and that they would spread advantages over a wider surface. That the maximum weight of sacks of wheat carried on New Zealand Kail ways would be fixed at 200 lbs. Mr A. W. Rather ford moved the Address-in-Reply. In the course of his speech the mover paid a glowing tribute to Lord Ranfurly. With regard to the Land question he thought the present laws would admit of some amendment, particularly in regard to the system of grouping sections, which was very unpopular everywhere. The proposal to extend the time for the payment of rent on bush sections in payment of rent on bush sections in the N oith Island nau his hearty approval. He urged that the first ballots for sections should be limited to applicants residing in the electorate in which the sections are situated. The proposal to extend the sale of New Zealand meat to manufacturing centres in the Home Country had his approval, as also did the proposal to provide a training ship for the Colony. Generally he endorsed the policy of the Government and tho measures outlined in the Governor's speech, but while complimenting the Government on their policy, he could not congratulate them upon their administration. The number of ministers should be increased or Parliamentary Undersecretaries should be appointed, so that the growing auministrative work of the colony could be properly coped with. Mr C. E. Major himself in favour of the preferential seconded the motion, and expressed tariff and of the freehold. He did not approve of Mr Rutherford’s ideas as to confining ballots for sections to residents in the locality. He favoured the State Fire Insurance proposal and the absentee-tax. Mr Massey and Mr Hogg also spoke. Mr O’Meara moved the adjournment of the debate, and this was agreed to. The House rose at 10.30 p.m. Thursday. In the Council, the Hon. T. Kennedy McDonald moved, and the Hon. Seymour George seconded, the Address in Reply. Atur a short discussion, the debate was adjourned. In at the afternoon siting, a large ..-Tumi her of Rills were read a first time. Mr J. A. Millar was appointed chairman of Committees, on the motion of the Premier. The remainder of the afternoon was occupied in setting up the usual sessional committees, which occasioned a good deal of discussion. The list was not completed when the House took the dinner adjournment. At the evening silting the debate on the address in Reply was continued by MrE. M. Smi'lji. Mr Duthie spoke at length. In proceeding to with Mr Seddon’s representation at the Coronation celebrations Mr Duthie reviewed the Papawai speech, the national purse, and South African incident?. He adversely criticised the Premier’s action therewith, and contended that he had thereby depreciated the credit of New Zealand in the eyes of the people in England. Mr Duthie dealt at length with the circumstances surrounding the failure of the last l£ million loan, and contended it was not brought about by the reasons ascribed by the Premier. Turning to the land question, he said the whole system of land settlement was in a very unsatisfactory condition, and it was regrettable to read of the way in which the settlers wereharrassed. The Premier had far too much power in regard to the purchase of estates for close settlement, and he urged that these.purchases should first be reviewed by the House. Mr O'Meara followed Mr McNab. Mr O’Meara said be had previously advocated the giyiug of an area of laud to the father ot six children or over. He .thought this would encourage these young persons to face the future aud woti-ld remedy the declining birth rate. If Mr Duthie was not m< re accurate in his statements than be had been that evening, it was to be feared he would lose his sobriquet of “honest John.” Despite what Mr Duthie had said, he {Mr O’Meara) considered that Mr Seddou bed done exceedingly well at Home. Jn referet.ee to the Joan he thought the Government wav. to be congratulated upon its success. The New Zealand Ica-i had lu eu floated, whereas the loans attempted :0 be raised by Austral ; an Government's had fail. d. Mr Duthie’s attrek on Mr Cieddon was unfair, unmiody, and dishonourable, and Mr DutJjic should apologise. Mr Beddon, iu the course of a per* sotiM explanation, said he had taken tile,"•••-St. opper.unity upon his arrival iu Australia of setting himself right iu regard to the Papawai speech. He complained of how he had been misteported, and said it W-a© , : >n insult to him and ho the colony to put ;tt Jris mouth words lie had never uttered. The debate was adjourned at mid. night. .