THIS BANKING COMMITTEE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 156, 4 July 1896, Page 8

THIS BANKING COMMITTEE.

SOME STRANGE RUMOURS.

(BY TELEGBAPH.—PARLUMENTAEY RE«

POETEB.)

Wellington, thiß day. There are a number of peculiar rumours in circulation as to the turn thab affairs have taken in connection with the , proposed banking inquiry. It is confidently asserted thab the Legislative Council Bide of the Committee will coneisb exclusively of Government supporters, aa (me Opposition will decline to act upon it. Another report alleges thab the questions of tho banking inquiry and the Attorney-Generalship are in some way interwoven and inextricably blended. According to a currenb rumour the coming Attorney-General is none other than Mr Geo. Hutchison, who has baen placed completely en rapport with the Government on the subject of the Bank of Now Zealand directors and clients. The action of the Government in placing him on the Banking Committee is said to bo an astute move to make use of his abilities to serve a parby end, while afa the same time giving an appearance of independent representation on the Committee. The ultimate objecb is stated to bo the winning over of a dangerous critic, and the annexation by th» Government of a gentleman who, in the words of the Premier, has been bhe "brains of tho Opposition." The debate in the House this afternoon was marked by several incidents that feead to confirm this theory of how, the member for Patea has come to be placed on the Banking Committee. The mosb notable of these was the action of Captain Russell and his party in declining to vote on the question of Mr Hubehiaon's inclusion and the Premier's taunt to them thab they had thus cast a alight upon a former firm ally. Ib will be found, I bhink, thab the Attorney-General-ship will nob be filled up till late in the session, and if this happens ib will confirm bhe rumours regarding Mr Hutchison.