HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume XXIV, Issue 2082, 28 August 1896, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

AUGUST 25

Mr G. J' Smub endeavoured to bring forward; as a breach of privilege, some references to him made by a Wellingt-n paper*, but was ruled out of order by tbe Speaker. After tbere had been conNiderablt discushion on tbe matter, the House resumed consideration of'the Estimates.

Aug. 26.

Several questions were answered, rmd a long disoussion on the point of privilege raised by Mr G. J. Hmith on the previous day took place. In tho evening the debate on the second reading of the Aid to Public Works and Land Settlement Bill was resumed. Mr Montgomery said this measure waa one- of the Government policy Bills, but, on looking carefully through it bo could not discover what the policy was excfipt that money was wnnted to construct railways, purchase land for settlement. &c. Tbey were told the railway* were to be carried to a paying point but they were not told what the terminus of those railways was to be. They ehould be informed on that point before they were asked to pass the Bill. Tbey should certainly count the cost of these raiiway«, and they should be told how far they mu*t be carried to reach the paying point- He did not say tbey ehould construct railways out of revenue, but if the Government were going to go back on the self re'innt policy which was so empha* ticilly laid down in 1892 they ehould first consult the electors. No one would deny that the Government took office on anonborrowing policy, and be at any aB one of tbeir supporters was eleCtad pledged against borrowing. He Strongly objected to the proposal to spend L2OO 000 on the goidfieldn, and he opposed the L 250 000 for land improvements. H_ did not so much object to spending tbis money as-t > the way it was spent. The House hud leps control over tbis Department than other Departments, and that was saying a good-deal. He objuctedto Government having full control over the pub'io works eFt'imte". They were t-.ld to trust the people, but they were now wanted tr> 'trust'tii_ Ministry in the expenditure of public money. This was opposed to the pdnciples of the Liberal pwty. which advocated fiat fie control of the publio money enould be put in the hands of tie House. Ho should vote against this borrowing for public works. The debate was adjourned.