FURTHER DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2686, 6 September 1905, Page 38

FURTHER DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE.

(Fbom Our Own Cohresfondent.) WELLINGTON, August 31. The voucher question was again before the House to-day, but the large number of galleryites who attended in the expectation of an exciting debate on the Auditorgeneral's report were doomed to disappointment. When the report was presented yesterday it* consideration was, on the motion of the Premier, postponed until "next sitting day." An impression prevailed amongst those not acquainted with the technical peculiarities of the forms of the House that the question would come up to-day. The carrying of the Premier 3 motion, however, merely meant that the question went on the Order Paper, and it rested with the Government to determine by its position on the Order Paper the day on which it should come up for consideration. The question appeared to-day sufficiently below the top item of the paper to make it impossible for it to be reached to-day. Sir Joseph Ward moved (in the absence of the Premier) to postpone the orders of the day, so- that the answers to questions (postponed from yesterday) might be taken as- arranged.

Mr Taylor asked whether the question of the Auditor-general'e report would coma up to-day, and, if not, whether it was likely to come up -again this session. Sir Joseph Ward eaid that no promise had been made by the Premier that the matter would be brought up to-day. H© could, however, assure Mr Taylor that the> matter would be brought up this session. Mr Taylor said that a definite promise had been made yesterday that the matter would come up again on the next sittingday, but he had not expected it to-day. As to the evidence not being printed, he said that it had already been printed practically in full in the newspapers. v Members had had an opportunity of perusing the very conflicting evidence. The Speaker said Mr Taylor could not discuss the e%'idence.

Mr Taylor said he wanted an assurance that the Houce would not be deprived of the opportunity of discussing the report. In view of the conflict of testimony, he was bound to stand in defence of four honourable men who were his constituents and to protect them as far as possible from any arbitrary punishment which it might be proposed to met& out to them. The words which the Premier had used on the previous day meant, in the opinion of many members, that the dismissal of these four men was intended. The House should not b» deprived of its opportunity of expressing its opinion of the report. The Premier (who had entered -the Chamber since" the commencement of the > discussion) said that Mr- Taylor was disobeyingthe-- ruling of the chair that he could" not discuss- the ■ report. ■ Mr. Taylor, in the course of his' further remarks, said that the Premier transgressed the rules of the House more than any other member.

Mr Seddon "said that this statement was absolutely incorrect. The Speaker said . that Mr Taylor musfc accept the Premier's denial.

"I will accept it," said Mr Taylor, amidst a titter of laughter ; " and no doubt; the audible smile of members- is very gratifying to the Premier."— (Laughter.) Mr Fisher said members were getting somewhat tired of this question. — (Government "Hear, hears.") "We want' to face the music, ' he continued ; "we want to have the matter ended one way -or the other as soon as possible." The Premier yesterday had made an ex-parte statement, and he did not want anyone to -catch it up. They should get the question settled on e way or- the other as soon as possible The Premier said the arrangement was that questions should be discussed that afternoon and ihat the land debate should take place this evening. As to Mr Taylor what had taken place was evidence of a brazen-faced effrontery. The Speaker called the Premier to order. The Premier said Mr Taylor was dead to *"« finer feelings of humanity. Mr Taylor: I meet you on your own level. Dont go too far. I'll go back into an old subject. The Premier went on to say that the boyernment was not going to disorgantsa the business of the country to deal with a matter that had already been -dealt with and to which there- was co reply.- He bad no doubt that Mr. Fisher was very tired of it, and that if he had followed the dictates of his own better nature, instead of the advice of others, his unfortunate position to-day would have been avoided Mr Fisher: That is absolutely wrong. Mr Seddon : He says he Avants to face tho music. The tune he has been playing grates on the feelings of everyone in th© House and in Hi* colony. Mr Seddon went on to refer to the low level to which their politics wa3 sinking. At one time it v.as an honour to be a member of the House; now their political life was being lowered. ' Mr Taylor: You have done it yourself. The Premier said he had nofc done it. Mi- Taylor: What about your Hinemoa expenses? That's a fair question. The Premier: When everything el&e fails him, the hoa. member tries to draw something else into the maelstrom that he and his friends have formed. The Premier went on to say that with regard to the officers at Christchurch the situation had been created by dishonourable action. Ifmeant a lowering of the service, and throughout the service there was one voice crying out against what had been done." That would not cause the Government to do that which was unjust or act harshly or violate the rules of the service. They would be dealt with in accordance with the rules of the service. It, was possible another course would be taken outside these men altogether, which probably Mr Fisher would appreciate. He (the Premier) objected to the stoppage of all business in order to proceed with the voucher before the evidence on the certificates was before members. _ The evidence in the press was not sufficient to enable members to go cm with the question. The report would bo dealt with. Ihe evidence would be printed but it would not be sealt with until the House had gone into the Land Commission! report and the resolutions bearing upon it He would treat the remarks of Mr Tavlor with the contempt they deserved. The time had come when Ministers should no longer be attacked by members who gained' their information from sources that \rere tainted and > involved in dishonour. He concluded with a positive assurance that an opportunity would be given of discussing 1 the report. He was not goiug to al!o\v those who had wvonged him and ha<3

wronged tbe -country and lowered live tone of Parliament to dictate the day and the hour when-.this matter should bo discussed. The matter --then- dropped. A TELEGBAM FROM CHRISTCHURCH. | In the-course- of- the discussion Mr Taylor | said. he. -would read a telegram from Olmst-church,-.but %he Premier objected, and tho Speaker- aeked thaUMv Taylor should fcubmit the; telegram -to- him. The telegram is to "Mr Taylor, and he- received it at 2.15 p.m. -" Up reads : — "fWe are confidont unrestricted- public' inquiry will establish charge. "Hope^you; will Press your motion. .-(Signedr.'Willis,- -Laroombe, West Lundon." -^Th-e^SpXaker;- « n ' reading the telecram --;said:;it> should 1 , be -more .properly dis-cussed,'on-<tliejconsideration of the report. | liris-understood,-that-the four members of the -N^ws liberakpartr- who Jxave .been associatedPwithVihe.voucher incident will not in any <way--retrac<r+.h«ir charges, 1 but >will stick to theirigiHHK-in- the -confident anticipation that' onS?some.r future' occasion .th© whole questionWiU: be wived- 'They^wiU^ demand a fulWr^nquiry with: a, right of. scrutiny of •11 the^publiei accounts- and opportunity to cross-eiaminei-witnesses. '- 'CHBiSTOHTJROH, September 4 "Mr .T^'E/'Taylorj Jeader of .the Now iLiberalApartjr^wio was -to have .-addressed. 'a. meetingi"of" L hisvSiipporters ia-th©-'Chxist-•ohufcK--lSorfcel«itoT&t c -to-night;, left for -WelliidaSAby--:«ie*eTfining' steamer. . :It is Bta<fed^|^rf¥Jie-recewedian -urgent: message in ijohpsec^iorifiwitK'ilie^oucher affair, vwhiohWde^m^prese*»an:ih6 ? H-ouse on-Tuesday < :7 , - , •- -. ■