EVENING SITTING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5295, 27 June 1895, Page 4

EVENING SITTING.

The House resumed at 7-30 p.m. I ADDREBB-IN-RKPLY. Mr Buchanan resumed the debate on tbe addresß-in-reply. He congratulated the mover and seconder for the able manner in which they had dealt with the fietiona and misrepresentations put into bis; Excellency's mouth. His opinion waa' thab there was not much cause for congratulation on the Btate of the revenue, which, he aßser ted , had fallen very considerably. After referring to several speeches made by the Premier during the recess, whioh he characterised aa fictitious and misleading, he said he felt ashamed^ as a representative of the people, to- find the Agent- General issuing such an utterly erroneous circular as that sent forth to the English people before the loan was raised. He asserted that the present Government was becoming notorious, not only in the Houae but in the country, for the grossest miaatatementa of facts, and he regretted' for the honour of the colony that this was the case.

Mr Flatman defended MrMaslinfrom the charge that he waa leaving his party, and said that his speech only showed that he was not a dumb dog, aa some new. members were called last session. He (Mr Flatman) did not intend to be a dumb dog, and where he differed from the Government he should tell it so, but he would not leave his party. He considered Mr Buchanan's remarks dry hash, which tfaey could read out or any newspaper. It was said that the Government had frightened capital away, but he was thankful it had frightened capital at 9 and 10 per cent away, and brought in capital at 5 and, 6 per cent. Captain Enasell had told them that wherever he went round the country he found general dissatisfaction, but he thought that reflected on the honourable gentleman himself, aa he admitted - that general dissatisfaction accompanied him, and it showed he was not wanted. He (Mr Flatman) considered that the reflections cast on Mr Ward. were unwise and unmerited, especially when the Treasurer was not present. Mr Ward, in hid opinion, deserved the thanka of the colony for the manner in which he had raised the loan, and he considered the accusations brought againt the Government would not hold water for a moment.

Dr Newman said that it was curious to hear some honourable gentlemen refer to the Government as being perfect in every respect. Their enthusiasm was simply astonishing. He thought that after the surplus was dissected it would become very attenuated in its dimensions. They were constantly told that Mr Ward had achieved great wonders at the other end of the world, yet when the Opposition attempted to criticise those wonders they were told they should not refer to them till Mr Ward's arrival, which was at least remarkable. After criticising the raising of the loan, he pointed out that instead of bavin? .£1,500,000, as they imagined, they would in- reality, after paying for stamp duty, discount and interest charges, have only £1,380,000. Referring to tariff reform, he condemned the practice adopted by Ministers of shelving this question from year to year, which unsettled the business habits of the people, and did much harm to the community. He considered that ever since the Government took office its progreßß had been a backward one, and its surplus this year wag

leeß than the previous one. Takwgthe Governor's speech ac a whole, it seemed to him that Ministers had exhausted their power, and the Liberal policy had evidently loßt the brightness and Bmartness which it claimed a few years ago.

Mr Hogg criticised at some length the Bpeechea made by Dr Newman and Mr Buohanan. He defended the Cheviot purchase, and denied that it was likely to be a bad bargain for the Government, aa stated by the member for Wairarapa. He strongly supported the Government policy and Baid that, instead of the Advances to Settlers Act being a ghastly failure as stated by Sir E. Btout, it had been a great success. Mr. Eabnshaw said that the debate was really a series of Burpriseß, as those members who assumed an independent tone before their constituents had warmly praised the Government in this debate ; whilst those who opposed the Government on the platform were very enthusiastic in support of the Government during thiß debate. He specially referred to the speech of the member for Biccarton before his constituents as being decidedly different in. tone from that whioh Mr Russell had given last night, but he hoped that member of the House would not become demoralised because the Government kept a new portfolio dangling before their eyes. He denied that the depression had passed away, and said there had never been worse times in the south than at present. He regretted that the Government bed absolutely failed to grapple with the unemployed difficulty, and it stood in no better position in that respect than any Government which had preceded it. He denounced the Government as, being the moat extravagant administration that ever held office in the colony.

Mr Btjddo criticised many of, Dr Newmans statements, and said that the Liberal Party had been subjected to so much abuse from the Opposition that it was little wonder they sometimes retaliated on their opponents. He referred at considerable length to Mr Earnshaw'a remarks and combated them. He felt gratified that the finances of the colony wero so satisfactory that they were able to show altogether a surplus of the amount of £80,000, and said that if they were to hold their own in the markets of the world they must keep their finances in a good position.

Mr Pibani having replied, the addressin^reply was agreed to on the voices.

SUPPLY.

The Hon B. J. Seddon moved that the House should next day resolve itself into committee to conßider supply to be granted to her Majesty. . The motion was agreed to, and the Houae rose at 12.25 a.m.