HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 164, 18 July 1896, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thursday, July 16. Tho Wesleyan Methodist Church Property Act Further Amendment Bill passed its final stages. A lengthy discussion aroso on a report from the Reporting Debates Committee on the inquiry relating to the printing of tho evidence of the Horowhenua Commission. — A motion by Mr Hall-Jones, referring the report back to the committeo, was carried by 35 to 30. ; - During the evening sitting, several local bills were disposed of, and the Female Law Practitioners Bill passed , its final stages on the voices. The Deceased Husband Brother's Marriage Bill was read tho third lime by 27 to 12, and passed. Mr Steward moved the second reading of tho Public Morgues Bill. Agreed to on tho voice. Mr G-. Hutchison moved tho second reading of the Stook Act, 1C95, Amendment Bill, to allow stock to be»drl\en at nigbt. — The Hon. J. McKenzie opposed/ the bill, as it *"~ would tend to facilitate sheep steaMng, which the Act cf 1895 was designed to pre /cut.— MiBuchanan said the law at prcsejt was practically a dead letter, and people now drove sheep about at night without let or hindrance. — Mr Wilsan regarded tho bill as a retrograde step. — Mr Hogg opposed the bill, and said that owing to the legislation of the present Government the crime of sheepstealing was very muoh diminished in his district. — After further dobate tho second reading was negatived by 05 to 15, and tho bil! thrown out. The second reading of tho Abolition of Capital Punishment Bill was refused by 36 to 16, and the bill thrown out. In committee on the Limitation of Power of Disposition by Will Bill, clause 2 — affirming the principle of the bill — was agreed to, atter which Sir R. Slout consented to report progress. Sir B. Stout's Criminal Code Act Amendment Bill passed through committeo with a slight amendment. The House rose at 12.20 a.m. Fhiday, July 17. Replying to the questions,it was stated— That a regulation would be issued in a few days prohibiting the importation of hides or bones from Queensland owing to the prevalence of tick plague in that colony.— That a bill would be brought down this session to amend the Advances to Settlers Act. — That Mr Costali, late Government Printer, was requested to send in his resignation ; it was not proposed to award him any compensation. The debate on the Noxious Wced-5 Bill was resumed and concluded, and the second reading ogreed to on tho voices. Mr Seddon said that in deference to the wish of tho leader of tho Opposition he would postpone the financial debate till Tuesday evening. An Imprest Supply : Bill for £329,-560 passed all its 3tages. 'f — In the evening, the refusal of the President of tbe Bank of New Zealand to answer certain questions was discussed, and after a lengthy discussion it was resolved, on the Premier's motion, that Mr Watson be called -Tlo the bar of the House, and that the Speaker - ask him why ho refused to answer a question submitted to him at the Banking Committee, and if he persists in his refusal to answer that he be allowed to have counsel present with hun at the bar. The Sergeant-at-Arni3 thon ushered Mr Watson and Mr Theo. Cooper, his solicitor, to the bar, when, in answer to questions put by the Speaker, Mr Watson reiterated his refusal to answer questions with regard to writings off of tho Bauk of New Zealand. Mr Watson said he said this in no spirit of contumacy or defiance, but because the torms of his appointment were that he should conserve tho interests of the colony and the shareholders to the best of his power; besides which he had signed a declaration of Becrccy. His own feelings had been that under the circumstances ho should refuse to answer such questions, and he was fortified in his view by the strongly expressed opinion of his legal adviser to the same effect. In answer to questions put by members, Mr .Watson said ho r" ceived legal advice on Tuesday afternoon last, and after conferring with his directors, it was decided that he ~ should not divulge any information regarding tho privato accounts of the bank.^ Mr Seddon moved that in viiw of Mr Watson's persistence in his refusal to answer the question put to him he bo fined £500 and be* detained in custody of tho Snr'gcant-of-Arms until the amount is paid. He said Mr Watson's defence that night was only an aggravation of his offonco. Although his language was respectful there was evidently a determination on his part to refuse to give the evidence asked for by the committeo. His sole reason for wishing to obtain information as to writing off was to ascertain how far the Government were justified in the action they had taken. Captain Bussell moved as an amV^endmont — " That this House whilst holding its paramount right to compel full disclosure by any witness summoned before its committees and to punish for contempt all witnesses refusing to givo testimony when required, is of opinion that under the circumstances Mr Watson should not be compelled to disregard the solemn declaration of secrecy he made to the bank to preserve inviolate the confidence of it 3 customers." Mr Seddon said he would withdraw that portion of his motion which provided that Mr Watson should remain in custody till the fine'wos paid. Mr Geo. Hutchison said he should support the Premier's motion down to " fine." Mr Montgomery supported the Premier's „,. motion, although he had opposed the order of reference. . Mr Duthie said they were gradually getting into a worse position in regard to tho Bank of New Zealand, and now they proposed to take a step that must ultimately prove its ruin. The debate wa3 proceeding when the telegTaph ofiice closed.