PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Hastings Standard, Issue 53, 27 June 1896, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

IN HOUSE AND COUNCIL. THE BANKING QUESTION UNDER DEBATE. NARROW SHAVE FOR THE GOVERNMENT. (By Tei.eorach.) (Frtwi "I"' -tit.! Wellington, this day. A deputation from the Working Men's Club waited on the Premier, protesting against the proposed legislation >r clubs, and claiming that their membership would materially decrease if they were put upon the same footing as hotels. Mr Seddon did not favor the views of the deputation and told them plainly thathe hoped the Bill would became law. The Council was yesterday occupied on the second reading of the Asiatic Restriction Bill, which was ultimately adjounrned until Tuesday. The principal part of the afternoon sitting of the House was occupied with the answering of questions, none of which were of vital importance. The Premier promised Mr Invercargili Kelly that the " Oats episode " in connection with the -J. G. Ward Farmers' Association would be looked into. The galleries were all crowded last evening in anticipation of a warm debate on the Banking question. The debate on the question of morning sittings of the House was adjourned. The Premier in moving his motion for setting up a Committee to enquire into the banking affairs dwelt on the fact that it was necessary to set up such a Committee. He was not in favor of a Royal Commission, as he considered Parliament the highest tribunal in the land. The Committee WOltld inquire into the question of who were responsible for the present state of things. The Committee would strengthen the position of the bank, and would enable the House to ascertain what the true liabilities of the colony were. The leader of the Opposition followed, finding fault with the composition of the proposed Committee, and refusing to take a seat on it. He advocated a proper tribunal, presided over by a -Judge of the Supreme Court. The Hon. John McKenzie favored a Parliamentary Committee as against a Boyal Commission. Sir Robert Stout strongly objected to raking up the affairs of dead men. He thought the Premier's motion wotdd go a long way to wrecking the bank if it were carried. Government should not sit in judgment on their own actions. Mr Duthie spoke feelingly and strongly, impugning the Premier with having deceived the house in this matter. Mr Hall-Jones favored the motion, while Dr. Newman then stated that the proposed committee was a packed one, and of course would return a verdict In favor of the Government. Riccarton Russell moved an amendment in the direction already telegraphed, and it was seconded by Mr Speaking to the amendment, the Premier said the Government were willing to alter the names of the proposed committee. After some further discussion, Ministers found themselves in a very tight place, and recognising that defeat was imminent, the Premier put forward one of his staunchest supporters to move the adjournment of the debate. Though every effort was made to whip the party into line, the adjournment was only carried by four, the real majority being two, owing to Mr Mitchelson, forgetting he was paired, remaining in the chamber, and being compelled to vote with the Government. This respite will trive the Premkr three days to extricate himself from the awkward position, and what probably will happen when the House again meets is that Riccarton Russell's amendment will be rejected, but a farther amendment from a source friendly to the Government on similar lines will lie adopted. The debate proved unmistakeably thathe House is determined to keep private accounts of the bankinviolable, and that there will be no raking up of past transactions of the Bank of New Zealand, which the Government intended to do for party purposes • The first step to bring about a solution of the difficulty has been taken by the Premier, who has convened a caucus of the Liberal Party to consider the banking question for 4 o'clock this afternoon. Mr Seddon was unusually active in the lobbies this morning. The intention is to give members of the Government Party a free hand in the selection of the committee, and a limit of the order of reference. It is further probable that the caucus will agree to the selection of a comjoitteee on a modified 11 arc system.