THE COLONY'S BANKING ACCOUNT.

Evening Post, Volume XLIV, Issue 41, 17 August 1892, Page 3

THE COLONY'S BANKING ACCOUNT.

This afternoon the Public Accounts Committee reported to the Houso of Representatives as follows on tho petition of the Colonial Bank for a sham in tho Public Account : — Having carefully considered the > petition and taken ovidonce at longth thoroon, tho Committeo havo tho honour to roport : — 1. That the Colonial Bank rendered an important service to tho colony in Fobruary, 2. That with rugard to tho statement of the Bank that in consideration of such services a promise was made that it would recoivo a share of tho Government Banking Account at an early date, and also that it would got a share of tho Government romtttancos, tho ovidonco produced before the Committeo kayos the matter in doubt, but tho fact that for somo timo after the date roforrod to tho Colonial Bunk was conceded a share of tho Government remittances strongly anpports its claim to that oxtnnt. ; 3. The Committeo are of opinion that in recognition of tho services referred to arrangements should bo made to givo the Colonial Bank a share of the remittances. Mr. Guinness (Chairman of the Commit' o) moved that tho roporl> bo referred to the Government. Mr._ Pinkerton moved that tho evidence bo printed, and ho hoped effect woti'd bo : given to the recommendation. The Preinior submitted that the evidonco should not bo printed. It was before tho Houso, but much of it must bo considered of a confidential character, such as should not appear in a FivrJitvmontury paper. Ho i coincided with tho view arrived at by tho Committee.' Mr. Fish entirely disagreed with tho recommendations, which ho considered most unjust to tho Bank of New Zealand. Ho dosired to know how tho voting in tho Committeo went. Mr. Tanner — Thoro was no voting. Mr. Fish asked if the Houso would bo given an opportunity of exprossing an opinion upon the report. The Premier said that the matter had boon referred to tho Government, and would ' be considered by them. Sir George Grey said ho was surprised to ] hoar the Premier say that ovidenco relating to the Publio Accounts was confidential. 1 The Premier's reasons wero not valid ones. ' Mr. Scobie Mackenzie asked if thero was | anything to prevent the press from publishin.? the ovidenco. The Prauior &iid No. Mr. J. Mills considered if. the matter was to be bi'ought up r^ain by Mr. Fish, it ( should bo printed for the information of meinbors. Dj.'. Newman saw no objection to the < printing. , i Mr. G. Hutchison objected to tho printing, i owing to tho conflict of o\idonco between a member of tho Upper House (Hon. G. i M' Lean) and the late Sir Harry Atkinson, i as Sir Hnrry was not able to givo his : version. Mr. Tanner objected to printing on the ' ground of expense, and Messrs. T. Mackonzio and Allen advocated it. Mr. G. Fisher considered tho publio had the best of all rights to be given the ovidonco. , Mr. C. H. Mills moved that the debate be adjourned till Friday next, to permit mem- : bers to judge for themselves whether the ovidenco should be printed. The motion for adjournment was carried •oil division by 44 to 23. ' Replying to Mr. Fergus, the Premier de- j alined to make the question the first order of the day on Friday. ( Mr. Fergus then said that the d<scnssion had been stifled, a_d would never como up ' again. ' Mr. Fish said it was put off to pormit of j continuation of tho lobbying which had been going on for weeks. j Other members having spokon, the matter dropped. '