PARLIAMENT.

Waikato Times, Issue 12184, 20 September 1911, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

TUESDAY'S PROCEEDINGS

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

(Pep Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The Pious© met at 2.30 p. m . THE RACING COMMISSION Sir Joseph Ward stated that he had been m communication with S£hE sSi^rT >withavi€wto^ sitting a g ai n to reconsider the question of county club Permits. The Com mission wa s agreeable to sit again and the necessary work connected with it was now fcein fi done. The reFort would be brought down as.soon as possible. On the. motion of Sir Joseph Ward it was decided that Government busmess take precedence ,on Wednesdays He pointed, out that a great deal of important work had to be done between now and the first and second weeus m November, when all wanted to he away with their constituents THE BUDGET DEBATE Mr Myers (Auckland West) resumed the debate on the Budget, which, he declared, exhibited a very happy state of affairs. The humanatarian measures would, appeal to the country generally. He spoke a t length of the satisfactory condition of the finances upon which he heartily congratulated •uia Minister fur Finance, whose taxation had increased from £3 18s »d in .1910 to £5 Ss 7d in IUH. The increase uad 4>een placed upon those beet able to bear it, being on laud tax, income tax and death duties. Were he not convinced that the Government policy was not proper and honest 'he would immediately walk over to. the other side of the House. He urged greater expedition in the settlement of native, lands.

The Hon. Sir J. W. Stewart (iWaitaki), considered the Budget an .excellent one and would commend itself to the country. It was a record of prosperity such as had never been submitted by any other part of the Empire. He disagreed with the proposal to reduce long distance railway fares by one farthing p er m ii e a t a cost of £60,000. It would he better to have reduced short distance fares, as these would benefit more people. If the Department wanted to spend £60,000 it could better be done on the erection of loading sheds in the country districts, cheap market tickets for farmers, and the reduction of freight on fruit. He expressed regret that there was no reference in the Budget to the land -question. He advocated a tax sufficiently disruptive to make it impossible to hold land in large quantities.

Mr Luke (Wellington Suburbs) regretted the absence of any reference to education in the Budget. Ha hoped the Government would do all in its power in connection with higher education. He regretted that the Government had not done more in the acquisition of surplus lands. He looker upon the farmers' co-operative.j>an.k proposal as a good one and if placed in good shape 1m would support the measure. He also advocated the development of the iron ore of the Dominion. The House, adjourned. BUDGET DEBATE KESUMED. Upon the House resuming in the evening Mr Bollard (Eden) complained of the unsatisfactory condition of land matters in the Dominion. It was the duty of the Government to settle people on the' land and educate them ho)w to work it. He complained that the Government was not assisting the farmers in the matter of scientific education. Mr Isitt (Ghristchurch North) uttered a word or warning in respect to military training in regard to the absence of a conscience clause and in fixing training up to 25 years of age. There would be trouble unless these mistakes were rectified. The training age should be reduced to 21. He deprecated the charges of corruption and. maladministration levelled against the Government. Sir Joseph in reply referred to the fact that every one who had spoken on the Budget had supported all the measures forecasted there. He condemned the action of the Opposition in casting reflections on the financial position of the country to its detriment. He chared Mr Allen with gross misrepresentation regarding the matter of the Treasury Bills. Members of the Opposition were with figures ami law in order to get on the treasury benches. R&ferrine <<■

Mr Allen's statement at discrepances of £4.000,000 in the public debt, Sir Jnspph Ward said the table quoted 'by Mr Allen dealt with borrowed money only, not revfnte. H? averred that there was not a mistake in the Bud- ■"■" n>nr33. H? th e a proceeded to d»ol with another criticism on his fmnce trenerally. He bad not con-clu-Vl wl:?n time was cubed. THE HOUSE T>: COMMITTEE.

Tha House- then went into committer en the estimates. Mr Mass-y moved for a reduction 0 f £•"> as an indication that the Council should be elective. PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION.

| SHALL THE COUNCIL GO ? | After midnight Messrs Long (Man- ! ukau) and Anderson (Mataura). supported the proportional representor tion system in connection with the Legislative Council. Mr Wilford ,(Hutt) said if it were possible to wipe out the Council altogether he would vote for it. The representatives of the people should be sufficient for the legislative purposes of the country. The country could be run very well with one House and less numbers-;- , Mr McLaren (Wellington East) advocated the abolition of the Council rather than make it elective. Hon. Buddo (Kaiapoi) said they needed some more democratic proposal than had been, put before them. Before moving in. the matter the Hon. Millar (Dunedin West) •intended voting against an amendment. The House was asked to alter the constitution of the Upper House without having anything definite before it. An elective chamber would be a duplication, of the representative machinery. Mr Buxton (Palmerston) moved to report progress and this was carried on the voices. The House rose at 1.36 a.m.

REPRESENTATION COMMISSION

REPORTS OX FRIDAY

WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Sir Joseph Ward informed the Hrt'ise this afternoon that the reports of t'ha Representation Commissioners could not he forwarded to the Governor until the maps were, completed. He understood this would be on Friday, after whioh publication would he made a s soon ps possible.