THE BANKING COMMITTEE.

Hastings Standard, Issue 99, 20 August 1896, Page 2

THE BANKING COMMITTEE.

The farce of making this enquiry is to be continued as Mr McGowan, who tabled a motion to stop the proceedings, has seen fit to withdraw the same. Circumstances have arisen to cause Mr McGowan to alter his opinion, and probably if these circumstances were analysed it will be found that the influence of the Premier has been brought to bear to cause the change of opinion, for, notwithstanding the appearance of obstruction, we believe the Premier is anxious to see the enquiry through. But the enquiry is farcical, inasmuch as it is a series of stupid exchanges of personalities. The Committee is making no headway ; for after six weeks two witnesses have not been examined. From Mr Booth the Committee obtained expressions of opinion as to the conduct of certain officials, and from Mr Watson they learned a little about the temperament of the directors of the Bank of New Zealand. The real issue, the points set out in the Order of Reference, have not been touched and are not likely to be touched so long as political capital is sought to be obtained. The sooner the enquiry is over the sooner will Parliament be dissolved, and dissolution is what the House and the country desire. The evidence tendered by the President is not calculated to enlighten the Committee, but on the other hand he cannot be blamed for being consistent in his refusal to disclose anything of a confidential character. There is some talk of making this banking business a question for submission to the electors. The Opposition we know stipulated for a Royal Commission instead of a Parliamentary Committee, and if the Committee should fail to bring up a convincing report, the submission of the matter to the electors as between a Royal Commission and a Parliamentary Committee would be fair. It is a point for the Opposition, and one that they are not likely to overlook, it will therefore not be surprising if a banking enquiry by a Royal Commission is a cardinal plank in the platform of the Conservatives at the general election.