HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 10707, 2 September 1896, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuesday, September I.— -The Speaker took the chair at 2.30 p,m. . , ; , t Mr Graham moved, without notice, That a further' extension of twenty-one days be granted to the Banking Enquiry Committee to brine up its report. Mr Geo. Hutohwon moved to add to the motion, " And that the Committee hare leave to Bit during the sittings of the House." Mr G. J. Smith said he would vote against both motion and amendment, as he considered it fuiilefor the Oommittee co continue its investigations ' The'publicity given to th 6 proceedings of the Oommittee was injuring the Bank. He felt sure that no new evidence Would be elicited t ' ' ■ ; ' Mr Ilarnshaw supported the amendment On the ground that unless the Dommittee sat during the sitting of the Htiuse it would be uhable to bring dp its report before the close of the' season. '- .Mr McLaehlan agreed with Mr G. J. Smith, thatvtha Committee wouldmot be able to elicit any further information, and thatin= the3nteHstof allcon^rtied,: ie would be.bettor'toidiA&olVoitt* Committee. - — - Mr Crowther thought some explanation should be,, forthcoming 1 ; fro*. th^Chairman of thft.Qommittey, and, that hp^hpvild: assure the Houije.thiit^tithaejcpirat^ff^f this extension of , time further extension j will not te requifod. - 7,- ,<] j . j Mr Seddon safd he Jnad; ;, thought of moving ih« following motion : — And that it be an instruction to themember f or | Patea to cease i, blocking business, paihat Committee.' , '";,', /, 1 ,^, ' e \ ..^ Sir R. Stoat rose, to a.pbinib' i of for^qfcT aad the Speaker asked M^geiHon J £p,wM'' draw this remark, ashe_was out ox order" in referring ,to whatjbad';iake i n,. I nlaco,it^ the meeting of a Select Committee;' 100 " 1 " x Mr Seddoii withdrew the" remark, and went on to say, that thifro iwat no neces■ity for the 'Committee to sit while the House was, fitting. v Tihe Committee waa getting on well towards the completion of its labours. Most of the necessary papers were now in, and thej I had the evidence b£ whatsh6 cojwdered ihe moat material witnesses. Ho Hid not think there was any doubt but that the Committee would'flai^b; its work w,\|thm three weeks. To 'allow tho^OdmrnitteßHo-sit during the sitting of the House would not tend to facilitate the business of the country, as it would be very inconvenient for the leader of tho House to be absent at the Committee;, *■> ';>;;*„ V Mr Hutchison denied that he had been blocking business on the Committee. He was endeavouring t* get ou( a certain class of evidence which theM Premier was anxious to exclude. That was what the Premier called the blocking of business. Mr Thos. McKentie lodged j^uppS, the Oommittee as a farce, "and would vote against both the motion and amendment. The Hon Mr McKenzie said if the Committee did not complete its labours this session, it might be set up again next session. The public could judge for thfemdplVes ,as to who were responsible for the blocking of the business of the Committee. The people of the colony did- not look upon the Committee as a farce, and they wanted to ■ know,' and would know, what had becotao of ~ ibe four millions of money that the Bank of New, Zealand had lost. If the Committee found itself pushed for timo the better plan would b« for the House to adjourn for a few days and allow the Committee to sit continually. > Several other members spoke, and on a division Mr Hutchison's amendment was negatived by 36 to 25 and Mr Graham's motion carried, by 55 te 5. . , , ' In replying to questions it was stated that legislation on the subject of compulsory marking of meat intended for export would be- brought down next session ; that the Government could not interfere in regard to suing for Bank of NefavZealand callsJrom shareholders; had not the mi&ria'6£- pfryitg their calls ;, that the Government were not prepared; to take up Mr-Lawry's Gaming and| Lotteries Bill as a measure. ' | ■ On' resuming* at 7.3s«pcn£i she Housej went into Committee of Supply. j Various ; votss in^heisduca;tiou ment* Estimates were exhaustively dis-j cussed, but no alterations were made in' 1 any^jf the items.". ■• - - - - -- \ 'ImHbViJjunaoy'rand^pharifable Depart^ m«ntr«lassi, a motaon.by M# McEstchla.n,' to reduce the salary of the Inspector or. Lunatic' /> A'sylums' : -ian l d^ J H6Spi^lß-,"dei,200,i by £200, was lost by-35 to 12- The vote •for the whole class; passed without -vdtpr-j atiqn.' : ':, ',» \\.\-h\ -j > '* / i v°ProgreBB was then' reported^and>.tfha Hottie rose ut"3.2o.?a.in. i':iw Ar-A> -;r^ i