PARLIAMENT.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume V, Issue 559, 20 October 1897, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

By Telegraph.—Per Press Association.

Wellington, This Day. House of Representatives.

The House met at 2.30. Mr Fraser as a matter of privilege moved That the sub-leader and report of the proceedings of the House in the New Zealand Times on the 16tli October were breaches of privilege. The sub-leadercommented on the alleged breaking by Messrs Fraser and Lethbridge of pairs between them aud Messrs R. McKenzie and O'Regan. The report stated that Messrs Fraser and Lethbridee had broken their pairs. Both Mr Massey, the Opposition Whip, and Mr Mills, senior Government Whip, explained and members concerned in the matter also spoke. It appeared from the explanation of the whips that the Opposition Whip intended that pairs should not take effect till after the division on the motion then before the House was taken, but the Government Whip bad understood that the pairs would take effect there and then. A general debate which lasted over two hours ensued on the motion, which was agreed to on the voices. The Premier intimated that in accordance with the advice of Mr Tunbridge, the new Commissioner of Police, the Government had decided to set up a Royal Commissi on to enquire into the charges against the police force. Mr Tunbridge would be a member of such commission and possibly an experienced stipendiary magistrate. No person connected with prohibition or the liquor trade or politics would be on the commission. The House resumed at 7.30.

Several sessional committees were set up.

Captain Russell opened the debate on the Financial Statement. He said the statement disclosed no financial policy, and it would be impossible to discuss the finances of the colony till the Public Works Statement was brought down. The Treasurer’s estimate of the revenue of the present year, though intended probably to gull the public, showed a decrease of £2398 as compared with the previous year, which was a confession that there was a loss of buoyancy in the colony's finances, lie strongly condemned the present administration of the Government railways, and said they would never be properly managed until the colony reverted to non-political control. He objected to the Old Age Pension proposals.

The lion. Mr Ilall-Joues said the statement was the best and most statesmanlike document that bad been brought down for years. It contained all the Government's borrowing policy. Though desirous of extending several of the uncompleted railways there was no opportunity of doing so at present. Referring to light railways he said that before altering the guage it would be well to wait and see the result of experiments of narrow guage now being made in Victoria.

Sir Robert Stout commented on ibe action of ministers in appoint mg a commission to enquire into the administration of ministers. The Financial Statement contained only half tho policy and it was impossible to get from it any idea of the colony's past or future finance. Tho public debt had increased during the year by £1,144,420, which showed that the Government had altogether abandoned the policy of non Ixirrowing and self-reliance, lie failed to se, that the appointment of agents for tno colony in Great Britain woe Id increase the colony's trade. lie dissented from the Government's old age pension proposals ami said old age pensions should lx- controlled by local bodies. The lowering of tin rate of interest paid on the post office bank de|xisits, he said, was punishing the thrifty classe s.

On the motion of Mr Morrison the debate was adjourned. The House rose at midnight.