THE SESSION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 229, 28 September 1898, Page 5

THE SESSION.

YESTERDAY'S^ PROCEEDINGS IN / ''PARLIAMENT.

(By Telegraph.— Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, Tuesday.

At half-past two o'clock this afternoon, -when the House met, the first business was a motion by Mr J. Hutcbeson to adopt the report of the Private Bills Committee on that muchdisputed measure the McLean Light Locomotives Bill. The committee had reconsidered the Bill and altered the preamble title and clauses two to thirteen. After nearly half an hour's ! discussion the report was adopted by !41 to 23, and the Bill read a third j time by 42 to 23. EAST COAST NATIVE LANDS. The Premier gave notice of his intention to introduce the above Bill ; to g-ive effect to the recommendation i of the Native Affairs Committee con- | cernino- trust lands. RETURNS AGREED TO. i • Tht; following returns were agreed I to:-HCos.t'of reclaiming lands in Welijlihgtjn; value of grant of land "and ] present 'unimproved value of such I land vested in the Crown, etc. (Mr j Duthie); return of vahie of impoi-ts ; and exports, exclusive of specie, distinguishing- between Great Britain and foreign countries (Mr G. Mutchison). THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL. Mr Uuthie again brought under the notice of the House a serious delay in the despatch of the 'Frisco mails from the Manukau for Wellington and the South. He had received a telegram stating that whereas the mail steamer had arrived at S.B a.m. the steamer for the South would be detained until 4 p.m., so that the mail couldn't be delivered in Wellington until Thursday. The Premier said he had received a communication from the Secretary of the Postal Department, who said that the captain of the steamer either could not or would not leave, though the : mail was on board. He (Mr Seddon) regretted the delay, and said the time ' had arrived, when special arrangements mould have to be made to pro^ vide for the prompt delivery of the mail ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE / ■ PREMIER. The Hon. J. McKenize moved that a select committee be appointed to enquire into whether all or any of the allegations reflecting personally on the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon or his relative, the late Nathaniel Seddon, niade by Mr Hutchison, member for Patea, in his speech in the House on Tuesday, the 23rd ult., are in substance "true or false, and to report their opinion thereon, the committee to report within fourteen days, three to_ hi a quorum; the committee to consist Mr Rolleston, Mr Duncan, Mr Duthie, Hon. Mr Ward, Mr Massey, Mr Morrison, Mr Sligo, Mr Graham and the mover. In moving the motion Mr MeKenzie expressed regret at being compelltd to ask for a committee but he thought the charges ought to be cleared up. Mr Wason moved an amendment that after the Avords 'true or false' be inserted the following: 'And also the charge made by the Hdh. Mr Ward on the 23rd ult. against Mr Geoge HutCirisqn; and,-of the charge b by the Hon.' J. MeKenzie against Mr Geo. Hutchison the same day.' A division being taken the amendment was negatived by 32 to 26. On the motion that the original motion be agreed to Mr Pirani moved a further Amendment that the name of the mover (the Hon. J. McKenzie) be struck off the committee and the name of M* G. J. Smith, member for Christchuroh, be inserted. On division this was defeated by 33 to 27. Further discussion on the original motion was interrupted by the halfpast five adjournment. Speaking after dinner, Mr George Hutchison denied that he had ever intended to cast any reflections on the Premier or his relatives, but he had never withdrawn the allegation he had made against the Premier in the debate on the Financial Statement, nor would he withdraw them now. There was a clear issue between the Premier and himself. In conclusion, he said jhe wouid choose his own time to sheet home his charges against the Premier. The Premier followed Mr Hutchison in a scathing speech, in which he exposed the pusilanimity of the member for Patea in making vague but gross charges, but shirking the ordeal of an inquiry. He exposed the trickery by which Mr Hutchison manufactured the bogus Chinese letter by going to a person in Wellington and getting an alleged letter in English written in Chinese. In conclusion he challenged the member for Patea to withdraw his charges or go before a committee. .On o division the motion for the appointment of a committee was carried by 38 to 20. PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT. The Public Works Statement and Estimates were read by message from the Governor and laid on the table. OLD AGE PENSIONS BILL. The Old Age Pensions Bill was further considered in committee. Subsection 7 of clause 8, providing that no person be entitled to a pension, the net value of whose accumulated pro- '■ perty amounts to £ 540, was consideri cd. On the motion of Mr Seddon yes- ! terday the figure 5 was struck out with a veiew of making the amount £270. After a lengthy discussion the word 'two' was inserted in place of five by 43 to 17. Mr Buchanan moved that the word 'hundred' be struck out. Negatived by 46 to 11. Sub-clause 8 was amended to provide that a person shall be entitled to a pension the net capital value of whose pccumulated property does not amount to £270. Sub-clauses S and 9 were agreed to. Mr Scobie Mackenzie moved a new sub-clause providing tha.t a person -who has been in receipt of charitable aid shall not be entitled to a pension unless such aid was received when incapatiated by sickness or accident. Lost on the voices. Mr Massey moved to add a new subclause providing that in the case of a. pensioner's children being in a position to do so, they could be compeUed to refund the pension money. This was objected to as converting the Bill into a charitable aid measure. The Premier preferred to go in the other direction. He would make the pension no bar to a parents claiming assistance from their children, if those children were in a position to render assistance. On division the sub-clause was rejected by 35 votes to 23. Clause 8 as amended was then passed, and progress reported. The House rose at 2.15 a.m.