THE WARD-HISLOP AFFAIR.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7385, 10 August 1889, Page 5

THE WARD-HISLOP AFFAIR.

ME HISLOFS EXPLANATION. A HO-CONSTDENCE DIVISION. ißt Telegraph. J [FEOit Otre SPECIAL CORRBSPOOTMKfT.] WELLINGTON, August 9. Another day has been wasted on a profit* less discussion of theWard-HisJop-Christie Fergus affair. It came up in the afternoon through a number of questions on the subject, of which notice had been given the previous day. Government had evidently decided that the best way to answer these questions was for Mr to make a full explanation of his connection with the case, and of bis reasons for his action. This he accordingly did as soon as question time arrived. It was a straightforward statement, and he frankly admitted that in some points he had acted a confession which elicited some marks of approval from members. He denied however that he had interfered in any way with the course of justice ; he had rather aided it by bringing out the facts he had discovered about Judge Ward's indebtedness to the Company under the notice of iua colleague, the Minister of Justice. This was a point upon which he acknowledged having acted indiscreetly. ** I am bound to say, Sir," he said, " since I have heard the opinions of various gentlemen, that it would have been more discreet had I not mentioned it." He found ample justification for his action, however, in the seriousness of the facts. Had he refrained from taking action owing to a fear of being accused of having acted from personal motives he would have done wrong. " If," he said, " I had been animated by such a cowardly feeling as that I would have no right to occupy the position I do." He concluded amid considerable applause, though a good deal of hostile feeling was manifested by various members in the course of his speech.

A long debate, lasting till the dinner adjournment, followed, Messrs Larnach, Ballanoe, Seddon, and others speaking at length. The general tenor of their remarks was that a Committee should be appointed to inquire into the matter. The firet business set down for the evening sitting was the second reading of the Property Assessment Aots Amendment Bill. Prior to going on with the debate on the Bill the Premier announced his desire that the House should adjourn upon rising till 7.30 on Monday evening, for. consideration of Government business. Tbis gave Mr Larnach a handle to move an «menduent that the first business on Monday evening should be the considers tion of the appointment of a Committee to' enquire into the Ward-Hielop aff*ir. The Premier fired up at this, and declared angrily that the Government would take the amendment as a distinct motion on tUe part of the Opposition traversing the policy of Government. He proceeded to denounce the waste of time in discussing this subject day after day, and apoke of it as "a trumpery case." (Cries of "Oh, 0h. ,, ) "Let us come to an issue at qince/ , he said, "If the Government are not fit to deal with this case of Ward's, then turn us out of office. Wβ have been accused this afternoon of being entirely unfit, to deal with this case. Sit, the Government mean to deal with this case in the ordinary course of business, and they don't intend to allow a Committee to be appointed. We will allow no other business to be gone on with until this business' is disposed of." Mr Baliance replied in a tone much warmer:than hie wont, and was followed; by various other membere. At nine o'clock, after the shortest debate, on record on a no-confidence motion, the question came to a division, which resulted /A, the amendment being lost by the narrow majority of 4, the figures being 40 to 36. 'i here was loud clapping from the; Opposition when the iesultwaa announced.; It is said that there wae a<listincfe majority pledged to vote for the appointment of a Committee, but when it was made a Ministerial question the weak-kneed gave way, and voted with the Government.

On the merits or demerits of the Ward-; Higlop correspondence, there wasi • evj-i dehtly a majority against the Governinenj;, since they only won by four, while of those who walked out five usually vote with the Government, namely, Messrs Barron, Allen,, Samuel, Menteath, and Fish. Among those , who voted with the Opposition were Messrs Scobie Mackenzie and Dr. New-. man.

" .The following is a correct analyaie of the voting:—Forty voted fof the Government, and thirty-six against them. Eight members are, accounted for by the pair list. The following six members who walked out were in favor of an enquiry being held :— Messrs Menteath, Samuel, Barron, Allen, Fish, and J. C. Brown; but ac the question was made one of no confidence, they could not vote for the amendment under,the circumstances. Thus ninety votes . are accounted for. Messrs Anderson and Withy did not vote, but. if their votes ftre given to Government it wjll be seen that the result would have been a tie. The Speaker's vote, of com cc, is not counted, and two. members, Messrs Peacock and Beethaai, are absent from the colony,