THURSDAY JULY 9.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXIII, Issue 1141, 17 July 1896, Page 3

THURSDAY JULY 9.

. In the Legislative Council — The debate on the motion to set up a Banking Committee was continued by Mr Mr T. Kelly, who contended that the responsibility of ihe hanking legislation rested on the whole of the Legislature, and upheld the proposed scope of -the enquiry. Mr Phar-azyn supported the suggestion for the election of a committee by ballot. The Minister for Education made a strong defence of Mr Ward in reply to Mr Ormond's speech of the previous clay. Mr Ward's affairs' had been brought into the-* discussion without proper warrant. He accused Mr Ormond of attacking the private affairs of the, Colonial Treasurer on party lines. Mr Ward had neglected his own business in the. service of the colony. He asked how it was that the Dunedin court was induced to £o out of its way to ruin the Colonial Bank shareholders. The present position of the J. G. Ward Association was du/> to the machinations of tho Opposition party. Mr Reynolds said the only way of getting at the bottom of the matter was by a Royal Commission. In the opinion of every shareholder in the Colonial Bank Judge Williams only did his duty. Mr Ormond denied having indulged in personalities. He was talking of the. public officer of the colony. Macgregor was surprisod at the decision of the Supreme Court being traversed as it had been by Mr Walker. The feeling down south was that whole proceedings in connection with the committee were a farce. If the committee were appointed by ballot the effect on the public would be a most salutnrv one. Sir George Whitmore thought dissatisfaction would be caused if the committee were proposed of only one party. Mr Stevens thought the scope of the Committee too wide, while an investigation of the affairs of the Assets Realization Board was. not even proposed. The worst that could be said were that it was misled. Only misfortune would result to the bank if the enquiry as proposed wero made. On a -ballot being taken the following committee was elected : — Messrs Walker (mover), Stevens!, Ormond, Pharazyn, Bowen, Arkwrijjht, Bonar, T. Kelly, Shrimski, E. Richardson. Mr Shrimski at once announced that he resigned from the committee, but the Speaker said he would have to consider the matter. The second clause, which allowed the enquiry to go back as far as 1888 was struck out by 22 votes to 10. In clause 4 Mr Mrcgregor carried an amendment allowing unofficial negotiations between the banks and members of the Ministry to be subject for investigation. The remaining clauses passed and the Council adjourned at 9.5 p.m. In the House of Representatives — Consideration of local bills occupied the whole of the afternoon. Rising to a question of privilege Hon. J. M'Kenzie gave a most emphatic denial to a statement appearing in that evening's Post to the effect that he had had been invited to attend the Horowhenua Commission. Mr Joyce moved the second reading of the Inebriates Institution Bill, which was the same as the measure, he i had introduced last session. — Mr Meredith and Sir R. Stout approved of the bill. — Mr Crowther objected to the taxpayers having to defray the cost of maintenance of so many institutions of this description After further discussion the second reading was agreed to on the voices. { Mr Steward moved the second reading of the Shearers Accommodation Bill. He explained that the bill had previously passed the House, but it was now more complete.— Mr Fiatman supported the piinciple of the bill but said its details were deficient in many respects. — Mr Duthie objected to this continued interference with employers. — Messrs Maslin, Collins, Willis, Buddo, and Mills spoke in support of the bill, as also did Mr Thos. Mackenzie and Mr Buchanan, although the latter objected to some of the details of the measure. — Second reading agreed to on the voices. Mr Collins moved the second reading of the Divorce Act Amendment Bill, which places a wife on the same footing as a husband in regard to grounds for divorce. — Agreed" to on the voices without debate. Mr Joyce moved the second reading of the Unclaimed Moneys Bill, to provide for giving publicity to information relating to unclaimed funds. — Agreed to on the voices without debate. Mr G. W. Russell's Canterbury College Bill was considered for nearly three hours in committee, considerable diversity of opinion existing as to the election of the Board of Governors of the institution. Eventually a motion by Mr W. Kelly to report progress was carried by 21 to 20. The Female Law Practitioners Bill and Deceased Husband's Brother's Marriage Bill passed through committeewithout amendment,

The Premier's motion for the adjournment of the House was opposed by Mr G. W. Russell and others and lost by 18 to 14. •The Speaker ruled that no new business could be taken at that hour nor could any motion be debated. Captain Russell then (12.30 a.m.) moved the adjournment of the House, and Mr G. W. Russell called for a division, but the Speaker said • I decline to allow , another division. I declare the House adjourned until 2.30 p.m.' '