HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume XXII, Issue 1672, 22 July 1892, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

July 19. The principal intereßt of the afternoon flitting of the Houee of Representatives was centered in an explanation by Mr Kbodes of a circumstance referred to in a question on the Order Paper for Thursday. The question, which stood in Mr Meredith's name, was whether an honourable member of tbe House, as agent for another person, had exercised valueless forest land scrip to a large amount in lieu of cash, and if the answer was in the affirmative what steps the Government intended to take in the matter. Mr Rhodeß gave a full explanation of the circumstances, and quoted the report of Mr O'Hara Smith, the audit officer, in which that gentleman stated that Mr Rhodes had acted in perfect good faith. Access to Government correspondence connected with the affair had, Mr Rhodes eaid, been promised to him. but was subsequently refused. He called upon the Government to have the whole question of tbe scrip used during their administration enquired into, and charged them not to call upon opponents to pay up when they themselves were illegally paying cash for ecrip to their supporter in various parts of the Colony. Mr Scobie Mackenzie rose to a point of order, and asked the Speaker whether it was proper that a question reflecting on the character of an honourable member should be allowed to appear on the Order Paper. The Speaker replied that it was not, and said if he had noticed the word " valueless "in tbe question, he would not have allowed it to appear, Mr Meredith said his only reason for putting the question waß to give Mr Kbodes an opportunity of explaining the true condition of affairs. Mr Rolleston said lie was very glad that Mr Rhodes' manly explanation of the whole circumstances had spoiled an effect which Mr Meredith had intended, and he ventured to think that Mr Meredith's action that afternoon would not earn him the respect of honourable men.

In the evening the debate on tbe Finan cial Statement was resumed by Mr Allen, and continued by Mr Tanner, Dr. Newman, Messrs Buick and Moore. July 20. The following Billß were introduced :— Inebriates' Homes Bill. Friendly Societies Acts Amendment Bill. Dairy Industry Bill. Codlin Moth Bill, Stock Bill, Manual and Technical Elementary Instruction Bill, Bill to Amend tbe Fencing Act, 1881, Shipping Act Amendment Bill, Bill to Amend the Factories Act, 1891. The Financial debate was resumed by Mr W. Hutchison, who with Mr Duthie occupied all the afternoon sitting. Mr McLean took up the debate in tho evening and waa followed by Mr T. Mackenzie and Mr Hogg.