HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 9194, 23 September 1891, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuesday, September 23.—Tho Speaker took the chair at 2.30 p.m. JUDGE EDWARDS 1 CASE. In answer to a question by Mr Rolleston as to whether the Government were prepared to make such provision as would enable Judge Edwards to prosecute his claims against the Government before tho Privy Council. Mr Ballance said the Go vernment had carefully considered the matter, and had come to the conclusion that as the case was still pending, they were not justified in interfering in it. Mr Fisher said he was present in the Court of Appeal, when the verdict was given by a majority of one in Edwards' favor, and he heard the Attorney-General of the colony declare that the Government would guarantee the costs of the Edwards' action up to date. Mr Ballance said that was the first intimation be had of tho AttorneyGeneral making such a statement, but ho should enquire into the matter. Mr Recs hoped the Government would endeavor to find some way of settling this unfortunate matter, as it was the general opinion that, rightly or wrongly, tho whole power of tho Government was being used against one man. Captain Russell reviewed tho whole circumstances connected with Judge Edwards appointment, and appealed to the Government to give Judge Edwards a proper opportunity to appear before the Pnvy Council. Up to tlie present the Government had refused him that justice, and in this respect, they were behaving in a most cruel and unjust manner. Sir John Hall (spoke in a similar strain. Mr Ballanco observed that the statement made by Mr Fisher put a new light on tho case, and tho question of contributing towards Mr Edwards' expenses at tho Privy Council would bo reconsidered by tbo Cabinet on Wednesday. LAND BILL. Mr McKenzio brought up tho report of the Conference on the Land Bill. He said tho managers from the House had done their utmost to effect a reasonable compromise with the Council, but they had failed to agree to the amendment made by the Council on vital portions of the bill. It was now his intention to allow the bill (to drop this session with a view of re-intro-ducing it next year. On tho question being put that the report of the Conference He on the table, Mr George Hutchison objected to the bill being dropped without another effort, as it made some very desirable amendments in the present law. Ho moved an amendment that a message bo sent to the Governor asking for a further conference on tho Land Bill. A deb te ensued, which was interrupted by 5.30 adjournment. On the House resuming at 7.30 p.m. Mr Hutchison's amendment respecting the Land Bill Conference was lost by 37 to 27, and the report ordered to lie on tho table. In announcing that tho conference on the Electoral Bill had failed to arrive at a compromise, Mr Ballance stated the point on which a deadlock occurred was of tho vital clause of the bill providing that no elector shall be entitled to have his name on more than one electoral roll. Tho Council had struck out this clause, and tho managers from the House could not givo way on it. He regretted very much that such an important measure would have to be dropped, but as there was no chance of agreement with the Council, the Government could come to no other decision. The report of tbe conference was ordered to be laid on the table. The House then went into Committee of Supply to consider the Estimates. Public Trust Office. £9,972. Item £648, fees to Commissioners, was reduced by £124 10s, which represented Mr T. K. taacdonald's share of the fees. The total vote, as reduced, was then agreed to. Colonial Secretary Department. £400 was set down for the Postmaster-General's «alary for six months. The motion to strike out the item was lost by 29 to 11. All the other items on tho Estimate wero passed without alteration. The House rose at 6.30 a.m.