HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 160, 8 July 1899, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

[By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.)

THE MARINE .TROUBLE AGAIN.

WELLINGTON, this day. In speaking to the want of confidence motion on Friday last the Hon. Mr Hall-fTones quoted from some official documents in accordance with the Standing Orders and with a view to having the extracts embodied in his speech the Minister now asked leave to lay on the table copies of a report from Captain Allman to himself of a memo, from Mr Allport relating to his conversations with Captain Yon Schoen before the matter arose in the House and of a circular issued by the Department. Messrs Pi rani, Taylor and other members objected to a portion of the documents being laid before the House and insisted upon the whole of the papers including Captain Allman's second statement being submitted. Mr Smith moved as an amendment that the papers be referred back to the Government for the purpose of making the file, complete. The Premier explained that the whole file would take some time to copy, and secondly the Royal Commission must have the whole of the documents. .The originals would be submitted in their entirety to the Commission, and afterwards the complete file would be placed before the House. He suggested that both the motion and the amendment be withdrawn. Mr Taylor concurred in the Premier's suggestion, but said that Captains Allman and Jones and Yon Schoen could not be compelled to give incriminating evidence unless indemnified, and they were the only three meu who knew the whole truth. Mr Crowther thought that all members of the House should be placed on the same footing, and he protested against facilities for perusal of State documents being given only to Government supporters. He had had no copy of the lithographed envelope supplied to him. Mr Millar said that so far as his vote was concerned it would go in the direction of preventing an indemnity Bill being passed for the protection of the parties directly involved. Captain Jones was prepared to give evidence before thp Commission without any indemnity whatever. Why should not Captain Allman do likewise? Messrs Lang and Duthie argued that Ministers ought not to withhold any papers when their honour was at stake. The House was a higher body than a Royal Commission aiid ought not to be denied the documents on the plea that they were wanted for the Commission. The Premier told the House and the country that the personal honour of Ministers was not in the slightest involved. They had done their duty in this unpleasant matter in a way few who might occupy the Treasury benches would have done. When the recent amendment was before the House he declined to say a word regarding the alleged departmental maladministration and had allowed the House to come to a decision without hearing him. After giving the best years of his life to the public service and the high positions he had held he was told that his personal honour was involved. Speaking with emotion the Premier said that as to those who held such views he treated their views with scorn and contempt. The debate and the discussion which had taken place that afternoon showed the wisdom of having a Eoyal Commission in preference to a Parliamentary Committee consisting of members with a prejudiced and biassed mind. The motion and amendment by leave of the House were then withdrawn.