THE FIRST BLOW.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2215, 16 June 1891, Page 3

THE FIRST BLOW.

Id Parliament last Friday the first pitched battle took place as follows: Mr McKenzie moved the appointment of the Stock Committee, to consist of Messrs Buchanan, C. H. Mills, Wright, McGuire, Rhodes, Duncan, Macintosh, Houston, Lawry, and the mover.

Sir John Hall said he noticed the omission of the name of Mr G. !F. Richardson, a gentleman well qualified by practical experience in the management of lire stock and rabbits, and be hoped the Minister would allow that hon. gentleman’s name to appear on the Committee. Mr Richardson thanked the bon. member for his remarks, but thought the Minister for Lands was wise in omitting his name from the Committee. Mr Richardson had publicly stated that he found on taking charge of the Stock Department that it was in a disorganised state, and that thousands of pounds were spent by inspectors in the past without any control from the Department in Wellington, He (Mr Richardson) contradicted the statement flatly, and said that no such expenditure had taken place without authority. The hon. gentleman must be quite unaware of the business of the Audit Department when he made such a statement, It was impossible for such sums to be spent without control. Mr McKenzie bad cast a slur on the whole of the Stock Department when he said there were not competent men in the Department to place at its head. He did not wish to reflect on the gentleman who had received the position of Stock Inspector, but there were many others who were entitled to it. The success of the adiqinisfcrai tioa of the Stock Department in the

past had beau shown by the increase of sheep in Otago and Southland, notwithstanding that the Minister for Lands had so utterly condemned it, Ho went on to read the report of the Stock Committee of both Houses in 1889, in which it was recommended that the office of Chief Inspector of fctock be abolished, and that the Department be decentralised. That report was adopted by Parliament, and he now asked whether the Government was justified in setting aside the will of Parliament in this manner, especially as Mr McKenzie had been a member of the Joint Committee referred to. Mr McKenzie said it was well known the reason why the Committee made that report was that the Chief Inspector of Stock at that time was an unsuitable officer, and it was desired to let him down easily. That, however, was three years ago, and if ho found on coming into office that the Department was not properly worked, he bad a perfect right to make a change. He asserted that the rabbit department was completely neglected. It was never so bad in Otago as it was when he took office, and he was compelled to take means to remedy such a state of things. He repeated now what he had stated at Palmerston, that large sums of money were spent without control, No less than £8448 was spent last year, not in salaries but for contracts, Mr Eiohardson—No contract was let without being first submitted te, the Minister in Wellington.

Mr McKenzie—That maj be, but day contracts were finished. Babbits were as bad as ever. If such large sums of money were to be spent, they must have an inspector to control them. That was bis view of the matter, and be believed the view of a large number of the settlers in the colony. Since he (Mr McKenzie) came into office he bad had to approve of sums of money that were not approved by Mr Eichardson, his predecessor. Would the hon, gentleman also deny that he bad signed a voucher time after time for Inspectors to use their own horses.

Mi Eichardson Certainly not. There was no such expenditure. The Inspectors used their own horses, and offered their houses for offices and charged Government for them. Mr McKenzie repeated his state ment, and said it showed bow little his predecesaor knew of what was going on in the department. In travelling throughont the country he had foand that those Inspectors were not to be fouud at their duty, but on lawn tennis grounds, bowling greens, and other places of that kind. Mr Eichardson asked wether it was in good order and taste for a Minister te make inch wholesale charges against officers who eould not defend themselves.

The Speaker ruled that the Minister was in order. Mr McKenzie said whether it was good taste or not he should not shirk from doing his duty, and be was prepared to meet Mr Eichardson at any time.to defend his land administration. Mr Eichardson said it was only fair that the House should be put in possession of a jjroof of the charges made by the Minister for Lands. Mr McKenzie said the hon. gentleman should adopt the proper course and move a vote of no confidence in the Minister for and he (Mr McKenzie) would be prepared to meet it.

The motion was than agreed to on the voices.