CLOSE OF PARLIAMENT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7895, 12 April 1897, Page 2

CLOSE OF PARLIAMENT.

(Parliamentary Reporter.) Wemjnqtoic, to-day. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 and adjourned until 230 on Monday, no business of importance being transacted. The House met at 2 30. The Hon. Mr McKenzie said he hoped to introduce a Fair Rent Bill next session. The Hon. Mr Seddon said he would enquire re a fast steam service between New Zealand and Australia. The Premier said he would not commib the colony in respect to the Midland Railway Company, which virtually was nonexistent, and added in reply to Mr McKenzie that the Government would strictly comply with the law regarding the 'contract with the company. The Hon. Mr McKenzie said he hoped to introduce a Beetroot Sugar Bill next session. Mr Seddon said that whatever steps had bean taken in respect to the Bushy Park estate were done with the approval of the general manager of the Assets Board. The Defence Minister said railway tickets would be issued to volunteers attending BhootiDg|matches at very much reduced ratea. Mr Thompson added that instructions would he issued to have the ammunition on issue reteated. Mr Taylor asked if the Government in the interests of public morality would prosecute the directors and officials of the Colonial Bank connected with the issue of fraudulent b&lance-sheeta. The Premier replied that the matter was one that the Supreme Court should decide. Replying to Mr Taylor, Mr Thompson said there was nothing within his knowledge demanding enquiry into police reform. In reply to Mr Joyce's question respecting the offering of the Bank of N6w Zealand for sale in LondoD as a going concern, tho Premier said the institution was improving ita position every day. The Government had, he said, offered the position of general manager to Mr Tegotmeyer, an acknowleged financial authority in London, and there was every prospect of his accepting it. The Government was also attempting to secure the services of a gentleman who had had nothing to do with either the Bank of New ' Zealand or Colonial Bank for a position as one of the liquidator* of the bank. The Government, he said, proposed to lay on the table of the House returns respecting the realisation of the estates of the Bank of New Zealand, which had been satisfactory. Referring to old age pensions, hr laid next) session he trusted to pass a measure which would commemorate the Queen's record reign. The Premier favors tho gum-digging industry being protected againßt foreigners. The Minister of Railway* said he had the classification of railway employes under consideration, and it would be brought down next Bession. The Minister of Railways said ho could not consent to reduce the rates for carriage of dead meat and provide cool cars on the railway lines for the encouragement of meat freezing and preserving works in country districts. Some discussion took place on the phraseology of the address to the Queen. Messrs G. Hutchison, Bolleston, and Scobie Mackenzie strongly objected to it. The Premier defended it, atating that the joint committee which framed it comprised at least five or six gentlemen who had gone through their University course. The address had been passed by the Legislative Council, and he could assure the House, no matter what was their attitude, the address would go Home. He believed there was something underlying the action of the Opposition. On division the address was affirmed by 39 to 20. At 6 25 the Premier moved that the House adjourn until 230 on Tuesday, and the House then adjourned. Judging by some interchange of compliments which took place in the dying moments of the session, all the elements are in evidence for a lively meeting on the reassembling of Parliament next September. A provoking reference to the Wanganui residence of Mr Geo. Hutchison was made by the iPremier, recalling the allusion made t.o the same place by the Minister of Lands in connection with the Bunking Committee's proceedings in the late Parliament. When the adjournment of the House wns finally moved by the Premier on Saturday evening, the last act of all, Sir Robert Stout was fcnld by the Speaker that the discussion was to be^ restricted to the question of adjournment. " Then allusion to the list of the Guthrie Company is shut put," aggravatingly remarked Mr George Fisher, to which Sir R. Stout responded, " And to the list of ■lrunken Mayors," and with this retort tho curtain was rang down on what will in future be alluded to as an extraordinary session. While the bulk of the people here seem to think there was no necessity for calling Parliament together,. others say thak it is the best session that has been held for years, in that we have been suffering sinew the Liberals came into power from too much legislation. The failure £0 put a number of Bills on the Statute Book will, it is hoped, be followed at the summer session. Those employed in drafting the address to the Queen came in for some nasty knocks from Sir R. Stout, Mr Geo. Hutchison, Mr Scobie Mackenzie, and others, and even Mr Roddy Mackenzie could nob overlook the opportunity of holding it up to ridicule. The phraseology is remarkable when one bears in mind that half a dozen University men were on the Joint Committee entrusted with drawing it up.