Imprest Supply Bill

Hastings Standard, Volume VIII, Issue 3054, 30 June 1903, Page 4

Imprest Supply Bill

(By Telegraph..> "vveiiington, June 20. In the House ei' Representatives yes terday, Mr Seddon moved the adjournmcat of the House, intimating that ii would he necessary to pass an Imprest Suppiv Bit! next day. Sir William Russell protested against 1 lie system oi calling Parliament together at the very last mom ent at which tin Government wanted Suwily. !1 ; was against all constitutional practice. They were placed in

a position of having' to vote money • about which tbev liad no explanation whatever. If- was futile at the prf. sent stage to do more than raise his voice against the pernicious prac tice. Mr Seddon said he had announced the Imprest Supply Bill so as not to be accused of springing a surprise on the House to-morrow. 'LI was on iy during ikf last few years that the unconstitutional practice had grown up of treating Imprest Supply in the same manner as Cfeneral Supply, and he contended thatit was a had prccedent. He had yet to learn that, when Supply came on iliere would be many grievances to ventilate. The Imprest, Supply to he asked for tomorrow would be only to carry on the eomitry under the appropriations maile last session. The Government were empowered to carry on under these circumstances, and he assured the House that the Bill would be the same as that brought down on previous occasions, viz., to enable the Government to raxrv on for another month under the present, appropriations. The House rose at 3.4 0 p.m.