PARLIAMENTARY

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 August 1905, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY

[bt jxzctbio telegraph.]

WELLINGTON, August 23. THE COUNCIL. ~,;;,

Tho Council met at 2.30. Hon Mr Jenkmson moved that tin petition of W. Barton and two othe shareholders and contributariesi of! the late Colonial Bank of New Zealand be referred to the Government for then consideration in accordance with tnc recommendation. Hon Mr Jones moved as an amendment that the Committee's report be referred back for reconsideration. Hon Mr Rigg seconded the amendment. Hons Pinkerton, Bolt, T. Kelly, McLean, Trade and tho Attorney-General spoke at some length on tho matter. The motion was carried by to to o. The Council rose at 4.50 p.m.

THE HOUSE. The Honso met at 2.30. Mr Massey gave notice to move the following amendment to Mr Seddons proposed motion on the land question: —"The failure of the Government to formulate a land policy even with the report of the Land Commission to assist them is an evasion of constitutional responsibility This' House, therefore, urges that Ministers should, without delay, bring down a bill embodying their land policy, which Bill should include special provision for extending to Crown tenants holding land under lease in perpetuity the right to acquire the freehold, but with sufficient safeguards to prevent the aggregation of large estates; and that \ the Government should also encourage settlement by providing better conditions and more secure tenure for all settlers upon the lands of the Crown. Mr Taylor gave notice to move that when the House goes into committee to consider the Premier's notice of motion on the land question, "That this House is of opinion that no land legislation affecting the lands of the colony will be satisfactory that does not provide for the cessation of the salo < ot Crown lands, and is also of opinion f that the remnant of the public estate should be created into a national education endowment." Right Hon Mr Seddon gavo notice to introduce the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Acts Compilation Bill- , Mr Seddon laid on the table a return showing the cost of raising the last loan was £25,019. The Public Petitions Committee recommended that the investigations asked for by the Colonial Bank shareholders concerning the loss ot ±,ot>t>.of the shareholders' capital be made. .' . . ~ On the motion that the report of the Committee be referred.to the Govern? ment for favourable consideration, Mr Herdman pointed out that according to its last balance-sheet the bank s fundte amounted to £465,000, and when the liquidation was undertaken it yielded only £IIO,OOO to the shareholders. He wanted to know where the balance had gone to. It was the. duty of the Government to institute a searching enquiry into the whole matter. ~,,-, , Mr Seddon stated tho Government would look carefully into the matter, ■ but doubted if the outcome would be satisfactory. He considered the shareholders had not shown good grounds for an enquiry. . Mr Taylor pointed out that in a few weeks the books of the Colonial Bank would be destroyed and every chance of solving the disappearance of the money would have gone. • Mr Duthie moved to add to tho report, "That meanwhile the House desires the Government to take steps to prevent the destruction of the Colonial Bank's books and papers, with a view to having a thorough investigation and enquiry into the liquidation of the bank before the Ist of Novembor next. Mr Seddon said ho objected to the Government being asked to prevent the destruction of the books and papers without any evidence being given after the Supreme Court had ordered the deatrtictioin of them, He added that he regarded the amend ment as a deliberate attempt to place the Government in a false position. Tho Houso roso at 5.30.

The House resumed at 7.30. The whole sitting was devoted to thfi further consideration of the Estimates. The votes for the Customs Department and Marine Department passed unaltered. After the Telegraph Office closed the Education Department Estimates wero further considered. ' ~ A motion by Mr Wilford that the total vote be reduced by £1 as an incScation that the time had arm-eel when the Government should under-. See the printing and publishing of uniform school books and supply them to parents at cost price. Tout bv 36 to 24. • After a lengthy discussion tho to, tal vote was passed xinaltered. The House rose at 5.4 b.