PARLIAMENT.

Waikato Times, Issue 12180, 15 September 1911, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. | HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The House met at 2.30 p.m. TAUPO TOTARA PETITION. A special committee was set up to inquire into the petition of the T a upo Totara Co. for railway extension and aiiy other matter in connection therewith. BUDGET DEBATE. The debate on the Budget was resumed hjy Mr Dive (Bginont) who deplored the absence from the of a Land Bill andlal Local Government Bill. Regarding the Government dairying herds, he declared that the Ayrshire herd was very P (| or, amd that the majority of the animals would not bring 30s in the open market. He condemned the taihoa policy in dealing with native lands, and criticised the administration of the experimental farms .by the Agricultural Department. Mr J. C. Thompson (Wallace) contended that the Opposition, by dealing only t.n half facts respecting the pubflic debit, was not fair to the country. They omitted to state the assets. He asked, could the social and intellectual welfare of' the people be better catered for than under the present Government. In the matter of defence be considered that the country was doing everything possible, and he deprecated any self constituted body asking intending candidate to d 0 more in the matter of expenditure. Mr Newman (Manawatu) said the Budget was a good election one, and pr o videid bribes f o r political support for every section of the community. He regretted the absence of a Land Bill £ n , the Budget; also that the Lands for Settlement Act was not being made letter use of. He urged greater expediency in dealing wi'tih native lands whfech were increasing in value every year. He regretted there was notMng proposed regarding our industries. Legislation which had been passed had had a paralysing effect upon them, and the present position was dis--courajgimg. EVENING SITTING. On the House resuming in the evening Mr Sidey (Dunedin South) complimented the Government on the activity displayed in the unemployed question. He also complimented the Minister for Agricultural upon his activity in the multifaiVous duties coming within his scope. He welcomed the set&ng up of a Royal Commission to ascertain to what extent monopolies existed in the Dominion. It was absurd to contend that the Government had not reduced taxation. The worker paid no direct taxation, and the tendency was to reduce indirect and increase direct taxation. Mr G. M. Thompson (Dunedin North) urged the importance of putting afforestation Work on a scientific basis, and advocated the appointment of a chief forester for five years at £KMili per ye-ar. He complained of the vague way in which information respecting experiments was given in the Agricultural Journal Mr Reed (Bay of Islands) remark•i upon the circumstance that although the Budget was as important as .any plaoed before the House and aln Opposition counterblast -was expected, the only one of the frontbenchers to reply was the . leader of the Opposition. The speaker approved of the humanitarian proposals of the Budget and maintained that the Opposition has constantly opposed better provision for the aged and needy. Mr Okey (Taranaki) averred that the Opposition was responsible for the workers homes scheme which was 'quite as beneficial a s the old age pensions soheme. He urged the pushing of railway works to the back blocks. He would support the humanitarian proposals of the Budget. The House adjourned at 11.55 I p.m.