A QUESTION OF PAIRS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2325, 22 September 1898, Page 26

A QUESTION OF PAIRS.

The question of " breaking a pair " engaged the attention of the House for 20 minutes this evening. Last night Mr Symes was charged by Mr Pirani with breaking his pair with Mr- Montgomery in the division in regard to the adjournment of the debate on the Police Commission report. Mr Symes now explained in reference to last night's pairs that he had never given a pair to Mr Montgomery except on the question of the amend- . ment moved by Mr Kelly, and therefore he had not broken any pair. Mr Montgomery said that he had never been paired with Mr Symes. Mr Pirani explained that he understood Mr Symes was paired with Mr Montgomery, and the best proof that this was so was the fact that Mr Symes refused to go in and vote until Mr Mills went outside and talked to him. EAST COAST NATIVE LAND BILL.-" The Native Affairs Committee, to whom this bill was referred, report that it is not advisable to create any special board for the 1 administration of the lands formerly held by the New Zealand Natives' Land Settlement Company (Limited), but instead (if such powers do not at present exist)* a bill be introduced granting power to the trustees to dispose of such of the lands now held in trust by the Hon. J. Carroll and Mr Wason and the Hon. J. Carroll and Mr Wi Pere, M.H.R.'s, as will liquidate the debt now owing to the Bank of New Zealand. That after paying such debt all the land remaining unsold be dealt with by special act in such manner as may be recommended by the Validation Court, after ascertaining the wishes of the beneficiaries, and that with a view to the introduction of tho necessary legislation the present bill be not proceeded with. OLD AGE PENSIONS. The debate on the Old Age Pensions Bill jtfaa resumed to-night, but nothing very new or

important was given utterance to. Mr Scobia Mackenzie said the proposed sum was no real pension, and they wanted something more in a pension* than would keep body and soul together in a degrading way. If they wanted a pension scheme they must base it on a universal contribution from the individual. They should teach the Individual the advantages of thrift in youth and middle age. As the bill now stood it woxild be a positiva crime to this young colony to pass it. Very little interest was taken in the debate, and Mr Graham, who was speaking shortly before 10 o'clock, almost emptied the House. The bell had to be rung for a quorum. MR LAWRY AND MR NORTHCROFT, S.M. Mr Lawry made an explanation to-night in connection with his statement about Mr Northcroft, S.M. He said the gentlemen: who had asked him to take action were mostly members of the National Association. He (Mr Lawry) sent a telegram to the Minister for Justice written out in the office of a member of the National Association and dictated by the member referred to. The telegram asked for the Minister's consent to the presentation of a testimonial, but the Minister refused on the ground that a public officer could not be permitted to receive a testimonial reflecting on the policy of the Government. Ha did not say Mr Northcroft Eent him a commiunication. — (A Member: " Oh, yes you did; we heard it.") " Then," replied Mr Lawry, " I made a mistake. I received no such communication." Mr Northcroft (Mr Lawxy continued) met him in Auckland and said ha had invested in a villa residence in Epsom r and did not want to leave Auckland. If that was not political influence, he (Mr Lawry) did not know what was. He deeply regretted that he had to make these personal references, but they were forced from him by an interjection during his speech. Mr Massey here rose and stated that he had received the following telegram bearing on tho question: — "Lawry's statement that National Association sought his influence to favour Northcroft absolutely false. Kindly contradict in House. — Bell. * Mr Lawry : "I said members of the National Association; not the National Association. The telegram was written in the office of Mr Bxxrns, and is he not a member of the National Association? " The Speaker here interfered, and declined to allow the matter to go any further. After Mr Lawry had made his statement Mr Pirani wired the substance ' of it to Mr Northcroft, who promptly replied as follows: — "Lawry's statement untrue. I never interviewed him in my life about anything, or ever spoke to him about my leaving Auckland; not even casually. I have asked my Minister to make public 'my absolute denial of statement, and if they are not then unreservedly withdrawn to grant me full in-