EVENING SITTING.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 9146, 1 September 1892, Page 3

EVENING SITTING.

The Honse resumed at 7.30. NORTH ISLAND TRUNK JtAIMVAY. The motion that tho Honso go into Committee of Supply was lost on the voices. Mr Shera's amendment was then pat and carried by 39 to 19. MINISTERIAL EXPENSES. On tho motion beinp; again pat that the Honae go into Committee of Supply Mr Fisher moved an amendment to the effect that a committee be appointed to inquire into the question of Ministerial travelling expenses and allowances. He complained that this information had been kept back by Ministers all the rossloii. Sir Jolid Hall said that the instance referred to by Mr Fisher was not the only one where information had been withheld, Tho corresponderco in connection with the expenditure of tho Westport Harbor Board bad been called for, but it was not forthcoming. The facts were that Mr Reeves, member for Inanpahua, htd been appointed a member of that Hoard by tho present Government, although Mr Reeves lived ftt Nelson, 160 miles from Westport, and it Co3t the Board between £200 and £300 for Mr Reeves' attendance at the meetings ot tho Board. This Sir John Hall thought came within the Parliamentary Privileges Act. Mr Kichard Reeves said lie had pent to Weatporfc for a return of his expenses, and he would lay it on the table as soon as ho received it. The amount qnoted by Sir John Hall was much exaggerated. Mr W. P. Reeves denied that the Government had kept back any information as to the travelling expenses of Ministers. After considerable discussion Mr Fisher said be would not press his amendment. Mr Seddon said that the reason why tho Government refuse.l the return nsked for by Mr Finher was because he wanted a return for 18 months. If he had moved for a yenr's return tl'P Government would have had no hesitation in furnishing it. As to the Westport Harbor Board affair, Mr Seddon pointed out that it was an institution nnder the Harbors Act, and if the Audit Department allowed any expenses to the members more thpn the f°Rnl expenses sanctioned by ths Act that department was responsible. THE ESTIMATES. The House then went into Committee of Supply for the consideration of the estimates, Colonial Secret.iryV Department, Minister's (Mr Ward'x) Salary, £400. — Mr Rollcston nsked for an assurance that this vote would be withdrawn from the estimates and pnt with the other Minis ters' salaries. —Mr Seddon said the Premier had promised to postpone this vote,— After tome discutsion Mr Fish moved that the £100 be struck ont. — The Chairman ruled the motion out of order.— Several members objected to the course proposed to lie t&keu by tho Government with re«pect to this vote, but the Chairman ruled that the £400 must be taken off the estimates and brought down again by message from the Crown.— Mr Rolleston Eaid if the vote did come, down again he would take csro that it did not pass in a hurry. — Mr Fish said that what he wanted to know was why after Mr Ward refused tills salary last year the amouut should now appear again on the estimates. — Mr Seddon said that when the Houbo went into Committee ot Supply nguin he would ask '.he Premier to nuiku a statement with respect to the intentions nf the Government on this matter. — Mr Fish asked how It was that £5400 appeared on the estimates for Ministerial salaries when the Government were only legally entitled to pay £5000 1— Mr Seddon Eaid that tho Audit Department would fee that no amount was paid that was not according to law. [Left sitting at 2 a.m.]