HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 7117, 15 July 1886, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wednesday, July 14. — The House met at 2.30 p.m. Major Atkinson intro luoo.l the Ilawera Cemetery Bill. The Eist and West Coast Railway Construction Act Amendment Bill was received from the Legislative Council with one verbal amendment, which was agreed to. Major Atkinson asked whether the Preimer would state definitely when the discussion on the Public Works Statement and representation question would take place. Sir R. Stout said the Lian Bill would probably bo brought down on Monday or Tuesday next, and the Public Works discussion could then take place, lie would givo an opportunity for discussing tho representation question on Fri luy. The Government Loan to L03.il Bj'lies Bill was read a third time and passed. THE PARLIAMENTARY- SCANDAL. Before the next Order of tho Day was oalled on Mr. Peacock rose to mako a personal explanation rogarding tho report of the District Railways Purchase Committee. He emphatically denied that he used his influence in favor of last year's Act. Urd he supposed his name wo lid have been mentioned in this way he would have more clearly explained his position when giviug evidence. Ho had been averse to the employment oE Mi 1 . Steward until the company had first endeavored to sell the debentures itself. Mr. Steward said he was utterly astonished when tho report was brought up. Flo was asked to tako up tho sale of Waimate debentures aa a pure matter of busines?, and at that time, he had nqt the remotest idea that the Government would over appear on the scene. It was not till he had been negotiating with the Bank of New Zealand nnd the Government Association that Sir J. Yogel ollered to buy the debentures on behalf of tho Government. Ho emphatically denied he had any pecuniary interest in the passing of the District Railway Purchasing Act ; and, difficult as it was to prove in the negative, he 'fortunitely could do so. lie read a telegram from the Secretary to the Waimute Company stating that it was not till after the Act had passed that Mr.Stesvard was asked to sell the debentures, tho reason being that it was only then it was found the interest was not payable in the. colony. 110 also mentioned other circu instances of a family nature in support of his position. 110 defended his action in that respeel as being in tho interest of his constituents, and insi kid that the bargain was a gOOll One for both panics. 110 appealed to the Uottso to coatifior his case free from party cousi'ioia i ms.

Tho Premier s.iM tli.it, us Cluiiman of the Committee, lie hii'l not lisim to move the adoption of the report. Ileiit] notliko tosoe tlui niiitu r drop without further discussion, tt was, however, deeirablo to prevent such eh irjjes bein&j possible, and, in order that tiie pobition ot members of tho Uouso illicit bu defined more clearly, he moved, "That, while it appeals there was no corrupt motive on the part of Major Steward, whose action in rotation to tho matter in question has been open and straightforward, thia House desireß to express its opinion that the members of. the Legislature should not aot as paid agents in, or receive any remuneration for, negotiating any transaction in which the Government is, directly or indirectly, a- party, either as buyer or seller." Tho motion wub curried without opposition an 1, the matter then dropped. Tho Fisheries Conservation Act Amendment Bill was read a second time by 38 to 19. after some opposition from Mr." Joyce. Mr.Tolo moved the second reading of the First OJl'enders' Probation Bill.

Tho house resinned ut 7 30,

Mr. Richtirrison moved the seconil roadin: of tho Workmen's Wages Act, 1881, Expansion Bill, the object of which was to destroy the truck system and enforce pay-

ment of wages in coin or in bank notes to artizans or labourers engaged I on work to be paid for by day or piece. Mr. Fergus moved that the bill be read that day six months, but after a debate the amendment was n"^atived, and tho bill was read a second time. Sir J. Yogel announced that tho Government had received a cablo re tho Exhibition, which said that a meeting of the Oommissionord had been held, at which a resolution was passed that the aspersions on the New Zealand section of the Colonial Exhibition wero utterly unjustifiable an 1 unfair, tho Court being most attractive and representative so far as exhibits weie admitted. Tho best assurance was that no such comment hid appeared in the Eu^li'-h papers. On the motion ior going into Committee of Supply, Mr. Pearson moved that contributions for hospital and charitablo aid should be raised by a tax on property, without any exemption, the Government to collect and pay it over ; also that the Government be requested to bring in a bill to that effect. Sir J. Yogel said the Government could not support such a proposal. Sir R. Stout said tho motion proposed was practically that local bodies should have tho expenditure of money raised by other persons, who wero to have no share in the expenditure. It would increase the burdens and the taxation o£ the colony, and do no good whatever. If a bill wero brought in to effect this object ho would move that it bo discharged from tho Order Paper. Afcer some discussion, Mr. Seddon moved tho ad journment of the debate — eyes, 26 ; noes, 35. After some further discussion, Mr. Pearson's resolution was carried by 30 to 25. Mr. Ivesß moved as an amendment, that the ordinary Property Tax exemptions should be allowed. Carried. The resolution as amended was then put — ayes, 25; noes, 25. The Speaker said he Bhould give his vote with the ayes, on th« ground that to his mind the question of charitable aid had not for some time been on a satisfactory footing, and this resolution might lead to an improved state of thinrs. The resolution was carried, and the House rose at 1.15 a.m.