MINISTERS AND BANKS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 957, 4 July 1890, Page 31

MINISTERS AND BANKS.

In the Konse on Friday afternoon Mr Fisher asked, Whether the Government of New Zealand, or any member of the Government of New Zealand, has directed steps to.be taken, civil or criminal, against the printer and publisher _of the English financial journal called Fairplay, fo,r tho publication, in its isane of the 18th April, 1890. of the following statement : 11 h is stated that over £60,000 Is owing to the Bank of New Zealand by two members of the Colonial Government, resident at Auckland; and it is also rumoured that these gentlemen have paid qgr interest for

the past four years, and would be unable to find even a small portion of their principal debt if thoy were called upon to do so. Another matter is referred to. Stress is always laid upon the fact that the Government of the Colony keeps it£ account with the bank, and this is regarded as vouching for the stability of the institution. It is said, on the other hand, that the Government holds a prior lien over all tho assets of the bank, and that, in the event of stoppage, it would be the first creditor, and would be paid before anyone or everyone else. In that oase it maybe inferred that the fact of the Government account being kept at the bank is a source of danger to the depositors rather than an advantage.” This, he said, was not a question affecting the good or bad taste of Mr Buckley, who was said to be the author of the statement—the question was whether the statement was true or untrue, and whether any proceedings h-d been taken against th 6 newspaper. The same statement appeared in three English monetary journals which he had then before him. As to the remarks in the last part of the statement, he reserved what he had to say on chat po.nt until he moved the motion of which he had given notice, for withdrawal of the Colony's banking account from the Bank of New Zealand.

The Minister of Education thought it was quite true that this was not a question affecting the good or bad taste of Mr Buckley : but the asking of such a question evinced certain taste on the part of Mr Fisher. It waß not necesssary to say whether it was good or bad taste. This was a question which the members of the Government,lif they were disposed to only consider their own inclinations in the matter, would decline altogether to answer. They had no sympathy whatever with the introduction into the House of slanderous statements which might appear in any English newspapers with a view to depreciating any of the public men of this country, and he thought no one in that House, excepting, perhaps, Mr Fisher himself, had the slightest sympathy with suoh statements. With regard to the question whether any proceedings had been taken against the newspaper, he thought the public men of New Zealand would have exceedingly little to do if they were to run after every slanderous journal with, a view to correcting misapprehensions in them. As to the statements—and he did not mention this for the gratification or information of the hon member at all, bat for the purpose of correcting any misapprehension that might have got into the minds of any persons within the country through the statement having been spread broadcast throughout the country, and by means of a cowardly attack made by a circular which had not even got an imprint, and which had been industriously circulated in the House—he was happy to inform any people who might have been deceived by that circular or by the statements of the hon member, that the statements contained in Fairplay were untrne.

Mr Fisher wanted the hon member to understand that he was in no way responsible for the circulation of the paper reoently put into the hands of members. He was not connected with it, and therefore disclaimed any innuendo Mr Hislop might convey. If the hon gentleman repeated that statement he 3hould move the adjournment of the House and discuss the whole matter with him.

The circular referred to contains the ex tracts from Fairplay.