THE PUBLIC REVENUES ACT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2672, 31 May 1905, Page 28

THE PUBLIC REVENUES ACT.

(Fbou Our Owx ConBEsrcNDEKT.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 26. Th© following telegram from Mr F. Pirani, ex-M.H.R.. from Petone, is published in this evening's Truth: — "In regard to the Premier's account at Dunedin of the Publio Revenues Act, it is as well lo point out that the meeting of the Public Acoounts Committee at which the measure was approved was of th© most perfunctory nature. Tihe Auditor-general declined to commit himself in regard to the clauses of the bill, and stated he had only been shown a copy since entering tho committee room, and it was impossible to express an opinion of any value in that short time. Besides, the session was drawing to a close—only three days more to go, — and anyone with a knowledge of the Premier is aware that that is the time he pushes through any iniquitous proposal ho desires. One section in the act to which I moved an amendment, which was lost, was the definition of the Estimates, which is actually tho Estimates as presented to Parliament for its approval, and not as passed by Parliament. The reason wJiy seine of thej Opposition members did not vote in committee on the bill was that, having protested against its committal by voting against it, they did not consider, in the face of the overwhelming majority, that further opposition would do any good at- that stage of the session. I might add that I thought it advisable, in view of future action, to have the vote i-eeorded on every clause, and I took shorthand notes of ths proceedings at fehe Public Accounts Committee, so know what I state is correct."