PARLIAMENTARY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 6266, 12 July 1890, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

(By Telegraph.) WELLINGTON, July 11. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. BILLS ADVANCED. The Council met at 2,30 p in. The Soman Catholic Lands Extension Bill was read a 3rd time. The Education Reserves Amendment. Bill was read a 2nd lime. The Coroners Inquest Bill was committed. After consideration of clause 2, progress was reported and leave given to sit again. The Ed uoational Reserves Leasing Act was further considered in committee. A new clause was inserted so that a lease

shall be let in future by auction or public tender.

The Bill was reported as amended and the third reading fixed for next Tuesday. The second reading of the Thames Harbour Board Bill was fixed for Tuesday fortnight. The Council rose at 3 p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, The House met at 2.30 p.m. mb nncnisoN’s charges.

Mr Mitohelson said that the House would recollect that the member for Waitotara had on the 2nd July made some grave charges against the Government, charges which if true would render the Government no longer worthy to occupy the Ministerial benches. As their personal honour was concerned the Government had offered to meet Mr Hutchison in every possible way in order to have a fair enquiry made into those charges, but he regretted to say that they had not been able to come to any arrangement as yet. They had offered to have the charges enquired into by a committee, four of whom to be approved of by Mr Ballsnce, and four were Government suppoiters. They were willing that the ninth man should be Mr Withy, but Mr Hutchison insisted on Mr Sauuders as the odd man. Government also offered us an alternative to refer the enquiry to a judge of the Supreme Court to be chosen by Mr Hutchison, to be assisted by one member of the House to be selected by the Government, and another member by Mr Hutchison, but this offer also had been refused. Government, therefore, had done all they possibly could in the matter. He then moved, “Thata select committee bo appointed to ascertain whether all or any of the accusations against the Government, and especially against certain members thereof, made by Dr Hutchison, the member for Waitotara, in a speech in the House, on Wednesday, the 2nd inst., are in substance true or false, and to report their opinion thereon, the committee to consist of Mr Ballance Mr Bryce, Mr Fitchett, Mr Fulton, Sir John Hal), Mr Larnach, Mr McArthur, Mr Ormond and Mr Seddon.”

Mr Kerr moved that Mr Saunders’ name be inserted in the motion instead of that of Mr Ormond.

Mr Ballance regretted that some agreement was not arrived at, but be-thought Mr Hutchison himself was just as anxious to have those charges investigated either by a committee or the House, or in some other way, as the Government were. (Mr Hutchison: “ More so.”) He thought the Government should have accepted Mr Saunders as suggested by Mr Hutchison, and he could not understand why the Government would not agree to Mr Saunders except that perhaps he had more independence of character than some other hon. gentlemen. Mr Ballance held that it was a most improper thing to have a Supreme Court Judge sitting in this case, and ho considered Mr Hutchison’s objection in this respect was quite proper. All he could say was this : His side of the House was exceedingly anxious to have a fairly constituted tribunal. Mr Fergus pointed out that the whole thing would afterwards come before the House when the committee’s report could be fully gone into. Mr Seddon objected to this matter being brought up in the middle of the financial debate. Mr Hutchison suggested that the eight members select the ninth. Mr Hislop said that the question before the House was of greater importance than the existence of a Ministry. It might equally affect the Opposition at a future time. The leader of the Opposition and several members of that parly had expressed the opinion that the course proposed by the Government was a fair and reasonable one, and the objection made by Mr Hutchison to the ninth man was altogether untenable. Mr Fish regretted that these charges had been made at all, and he reciprocated Mr Hislop’s hope that the matter would be discussed in an impartial spirit. I)r Fitohett and Mr Percival urged that the matter be postponed to give further time for private negotiations. Mr Izard moved the adjournment of the debate. Lost by 37 to 27. Several members having spoken a division was taken on Mr Kerr’s amendment, which was lost by 37 to 33. Mr Mitchelson regretted the tone taken during the debate by the Opposition, as it had been assumed that the committee chosen by the Government were not impartial men. Government had no desire to act unfairly in the matter and he would move that Mr Fulton’s name be struck out and Mr Withy’s substituted. The motion as amended was then put and carried on the voices. The House rose at 5 15. THE FINANCIAL DEBATE. The House resumed at 7,30 p m. Mr O’Connor continued the debate on the motion that the House go into Committee of Supply. Be said that retrenchment in some sources had already gone too far, and he advocated the taxation of shipping companies The Hon B. Bichardson spoke strongly in favour of immediate dissolution on the ground that no good work was likely to be done this session.

Mr Izard considered that the Ministry bad honestly endeavoured to fulfil the pledge under which they took office, and he would, therefore, support them for the remainder of the session.

Mr Hislop denied that there was a pressing necessity for a dissolution, and passed on to review at length the speeches of those members who had supported the Opposition As to dir George Grey the only remedy he was able to suggest to the House for the solution of all our difficulties, was the swallowing up of the unearned increment, but the arguments in that direction were a delusion and a snare. He combatted Mr Goldie’s arguments that the cost of industrial schools could bo lessened, and said it was idle for the-bon. gentleman who only had a superficial knowledge of the question to assert that the cost could be reduced without being able to point out in what direction. As to Judge Edwards’ op pointment he should leave the justification of that to the Minister of Justice when he moved the second reading of the Bill, but he should like to know where in any Abt of Parliament it was laid down that the salary should be provided for a judge before appointing him. When the Opposition were drawn to such tactics as to attack' the appointment of a gentleman like Colonel Trimble, who was so eminently qualified for the office he filled, he thought the Government could go to the country with very good credentials. Mr Seddon censured the Government for not having dissolved the House before the meeting of Parliament and twitted Mr Hislop with being a “ disrated minister,” having a less important portfolio now- than before he resigned his seat in the Ministry. Mr Macarthur moved the adjournment of the debate till Tuesday. The House rose at 11.65 a.tu.