Telegraphic News.
[From Ouk Own Correspondent],
Wellington, July 0. As usual, the Press Association reported Mr Platman wrongly in your issue of July loth. He is reported to have said on the Marine Scandal that service certificates should be open to everyone without restriction. This is wrong. What he did say was that service certificates should be abolished, and everyone compelled to sit for examination. This, of course, is altogether a different thing. Mr Hutcheson was bowled out twice on the night of his resignation. Mr Hall-Jones said Mr Hutcheson told him that Captain Jones’ man got a fraudulent certificate. Mr Hutcheson denied this, and said he did not know it himself. Mr Millar said :“k ou did know it, for you told me the man was Jemmy Jones.’’ This corroborated the Minister’s statement. Mr Hutcheson also said that Captain Allman was not qualified when appointed, that he got a certificate bv fraud in Sydney, and that the examiner who passed him was dismissed. Tho Premier telegraphed to Sydney and got a reply that this statement had not the slightest foundation in fact.
Mr Hutcheson’s resignation took the House by surprise. No one expected it except the Left Wing, and everyone was surprised. There was great commotion in the lobby, and when Mr Hutcheson entered it he was received with Opposition cheers. As for his re-election that is safe, for no one will care to come out now, unless he is taken up by the Conservative party. He will not be elected at tho gene.xal election.
Electioneering speeches are already being made. Mr Lewis ridiculed Mr Montgomery ou Thursday evening because of his wobbling. He said Mr Montgomery considered himself of such importance that ho sat midway in tho House, for fear if he sat to one side the House would be over balanced. The object of Mr Lewis’attack was to weaken Mr Montgomery in the eyes of constituents and help the Opposition candidates. Mr Montgomery deserved it, for he is a fearful wobbler.
Mr Taylor also spoke as if paving the way for election. He was continually using tho word “ we,” by which he meant to convey tho idea that he belonged to the Liberal Party. Some protested against this, but Mr Taylor insisted that he belonged to it, though it would be difficult to prove it, since he had voted against the Government more frequently than Captain Russell.
I am told the Christchurch candidates will be Messrs Taylor, Smith (prohibition) Louisson, Collins, Russell, (Government) and Lewis and two names not disclosed conservating. The election is expected to be a hot one. as Mr Louisson being a brewer there will be a stand up fight with prohibition.
The whole afternoon was wasted over nothing at all. When Mr Hall-Jones read certain document connected with the Marino Scandal, and Captain Bussell asked that they bo laid on the table, Mr HallJones promised to do so, and this afternoon he laid them on the table. Mr Pirani objected on the ground that all papers connected with the Marine Scandal should be laid on the table at the same time, and all the afternoon was wasted on that point. Of course the object is to waste time and let no business be done. If Mr Hall-Jones did exactly what Captain Russell asked it would mean forestalling the Royal Commiesion, which sits next week. The point is this : Is it fair to the Commission to have the whole case gone into like this ? Is it not calculated to influence the decision ?
There is a good deal of talk about tho election, and Mr Jelliooe’s chances are hardening. MrJellicoe is unpopular and will stand as an Independent, but Mr John Hutcheson is unpopular also. So far neither the Government nor the Opposition are taking any interest in it. Two other candidates are mentioned, but they arc regarded as nonentities. Tho passage-at-arms between Messrs Hogg and Taylor was wrongly reported in last issue. Mr Hogg accused Mr Taylor of having fought last year against the Old Age Pensions, and quoted from Hansard to show that Mr Taylor said many pensioners would drink their pensions ; that if killed by starvation would be an advantage as they were a burden to themselves and everyone else. Mr Taylor denied having said this, and Mr Morrison afterwards pointed out that no denial of it appeared in Mr Taylor’s speech. Owing to nothing being doing in the Lower House the Legislative Council has little to do, and will sit only three days next week.
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Bibliographic details
Temuka Leader, Issue 3463, 8 July 1899, Page 3
Word Count
754Telegraphic News. Temuka Leader, Issue 3463, 8 July 1899, Page 3
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