PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7449, 1 October 1895, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Feom Our Special Reporter.) Wellington, last nighfc. Mr Ward has given notice of the Customs Duties Reciprocity Bill. The Hon. Mr Carroll is captain of a parliamentary cricket team which is to play Wellington College on Saturday. The Advances to Settlers Act Amendment Bill waa introduced in the House by Governor's message to night. THE ESTIMATES. The estimates will be taken to-morrow night (Tuesday), and are likely to occupy two or three sittings, though the Premier expects to force them through in one night. If he attempts this there will be an all night sitting. Mr Seddon promises to inform the House co-morrow what Bills will be dropped. He expects to close the session within three weeks. Wellington, to-day. QUESTIONS. Last night's business in the House was devoted entirely to questions, the only one of importance beiDg Mr Earnshaw's query whether instructions had been issued in a memo, by the head of the Telegraph Department, that telegrams to and from Mr Ward and his firm at Inyercargill were to have precedence on the wires. In putting the question Mr Earnahaw said an impression prevailed throughout the colony that there was a general misuse of the telegraph wireß by Ministers generally. The Treasurer, replying, said that when Mr Ballaace died he was asked to take the Treasurership, and he had to ascertain from the various branches of business with which he was connected in the South whether he could accept the appointment. Necessarily a communication had, in reply, to be sent with all possible despatch, but all telegrams sent that time or subsequently of a business character between himself and his firm had bee/i paid for, and when urgent at double rates. A memo, was read from the chief postmaster at Invercargill stating that all messages relating to Mr Ward's company were treated in the ordinary way and given no precedence over other wires. He (Mr Ward) complained of leakage on the part of some officers in the Telegraph Department, and said it might happen if this were allowed that any other person might find himself in possession of having confidential matters disclosed. He asked the House to insist that the name of the officer who gave the information should be made public in the interests of the country. As a Minister of the Crown he had not done anything wrong, nor had he in the slightest degree used his official position for private gain. i He had, in fact, not known of the existence of the memo, till the question was raised by ! Mr Earnahaw. Mr Earnshaw said he refused absolutely to state who gave him the information. He had merely put the question to give the ! Treasurer an opportunity of answering the charges. GISBORNE-OFOTIKI BOAD. In answer to Mr W. Kelly the Minister of Lands stated that of £1100 voted last year for the Gisborne-Opotiki road £630 had been spent. The balance would be expended as circumstances permitted.