PARLIAMENTARY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVI, Issue 11022, 29 July 1896, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

[Per Press Association.] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, July 28. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.30 p.m. THE BANKING IXQUIUY. Mr Mon'tciomeky moved -without notice that he should be relieved from further attendance on the Bauking Committee, lie said that his reason for takingthis course was, that on Friday last the Premier had used words to him in committee which he (Mr Montgomery) considered were offensive. The Premier was requested by the Chairman to withdraw the words, but he refused to do so. Under the circumstances he (Mr Montgomery) could not retain his self-rcpoct if he continued to sit on the committee, and that was the reason why he hail, asked to be relieved from further attendance on it. Mr M'Nab thought that Mr Montgomery should inform the House what the words were which he referred to. . ■ Mr MoNTGOitERY said that the Premier had stated that he (Mr Montgomery) was. the most selfish'and ungenerous man he (Mr Seddon) had ever met. Motion lost by 37 to 2(5. QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Massey, The Hon R. J. Seddon said that the usual course would oe followed with respect to readjusting- the building grant for educational purposes, and places where population had rapidly increased would receive such additional school buildings as circumstances demanded.. Replying to Mr Pirani, whether the Government would remove the restriction against the importation of grapes, The Hon J. M'Kbnzie said that the matter had been carefully considered, and the Government did not think it advisable afc present to remove the restriction. Replying to Mr Meredith, The Hon J. M'Kknzie said that if the local bodies abused the power given them by the Fencing Act, it might be necessary to introduce legislation repealing that section of the Act which gave local bodies power to grant permission to persons to erect swing-gates across public roads, other than swing-gates in a rabbit-proof fence. Replying to Mr Willis, The Hon R. J. Seddon said that a large number of claims had been received under the Naval and Military Settlers Act, which amounted to a very large sum of money, and those claims were now being scheduled. Replying to Mr O'Regan, The Hon A. J. Cadman said that the question of lighting collieries by electricity was more for the managers of coal-mines than the Govern meat. Replying to Mr Hutchison, The Hon R. J. Seddon said that the Commissions appointed under the Representation Act this session bad commenced their labours on Monday last, and they were now hard at work on the various matters submitted to them. Replying to MrMassey, The Hon R.J. Sjsddon said that appointments to the Telegraph Department were not made in the order in which they were received. His opinion was that the large centres had received too much consideration in this respect, and the country districts none, but he proposed to equalise this in future. He thought that tb« best plan would be for every member to send in a list, and that those applications should be disposed of before any others were considered. Replying to. Mr Allen, The Hou T. Thompson said that there was no duty levied on imperial long service medals. Replying to Mx M'Lachlan, The Hon J. M'Kenzle said that he could not promise this session to get the duty on agricultural salt remitted, as, if the Customs tariff were again before the House, i other amendments might be moved, but some kind of regulation might be issued dealing with this question. Replying to Mr G. Hutchison, The Hon W. Hall-Jones said that the reason why the rolls of the present, electorates were being printed was because the last rolls were printed in 1893, and there was a great demand for them. It was the duty of the Government to have rolls prepared for the convenience of the electors. Replying to Mr Maslin, The Hon R. J. Seddon said it was still under consideration to reduce the rate of interest on New Zealand consols to 3 per cent, and he could not give a definite answer at present. NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOUR. Mr M'GuruE moved the adjournment of the House to enable him to refer to. the replies given to him respecting New Plymouth harbour. A lengthy discussion arose over the whole question of foreign bondholders. The debate was interrupted by the dinner adjournment. NO CONFIDENCE MOTION. Captain Russell gave notice to move onFriday—" That the administration of the Government had been unsatisfactory; that while they have professed to have abstained from borrowing, the public debt has increased between March 31, 1891, and March 31, 1896, by .£4,928,581, that in seizing the sinking funds of the local bodies they have diverted the intention of the Loans to Local Bodies Act, and they have used for the purpose of revenue the capital sums especially provided by the ratepayers for the purpose of paying their loans, and are depleting the land transfer assurance funds for a' similar. purpose; that the alteration in the Customs and Excise Duties Act, 1895, passed by the Government has imposed further taxation upon the people, and increased the charges upon the necessaries of life." The Hon R. J. Seddon said that he would accept this motion as one of noconfidehce in the Government, and he asked Captain Russell whether he would be prepared to go on with it at 7.30 that night, or, at any rate, next day at 2.30.'- l Captain Russell said that he did not wish to interfere with private members' business on "Wednesday, but he was quite prepared to go on -with the motion next day if the Premier desired.

The Hon R. J. Seddon said that he declined to go on with any other business till this motion was disposed of. He moved that the House should adjourn till 2.30 next day, as he accepted Captain Russell's, motion as a straight out motion of want of confidence in the Government. Motion agreed to, and the House adiourned till 2.30 next day.