HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5337, 15 August 1895, Page 4

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuesday, August 13. EVENING SITTING. Mr fbATOAH criticised the tariff proposals at some length. He alao strongly disapproved of the working of the Advances to Settlers Aot. Mr Mills moved the adjournment of the debate. Agreed to, and the House rose at 1.55 a.m.

Wednksdat, August 14. AFTEENOON SITTING. The Home met at 2.30 p.m. Captain Russell gave notice to move on the motion for the second reading of the Tariff Bill— "That in the opinion of this Houae the tariff resolutions altering the duties of Customs should be rescinded on the grounds that by them no simplification of the tariff iB effected, few existing anomalies are abolished, no appreciable relief is granted to anybody, while extra lourdena are imposed upon many, and the estimated increase in the revenue, viz., £10,300, ia not oommensurate with the general disarrangement of trade which will ensue." ■ The Hon E. J. Ssddon said that after the notice of motion just given by Captain Eoaaell he thought he would be consulting the convenience of members by moving - the adjournment of the House. He held that the leader of the Opposition had already had an opportunity of proposing hia amendment in the present debate. The Government had intimated that ifc would not take the tariff discussion on party lines, and members who had not > already spoken in the financial debate would therefore be at a disadvantage with an amendment like this hanging over them. He thought that either this amendment should be withdrawn or that the House should adjourn, and he moved accordingly — •« That the House adjourn till 7.30." , Captain Rubbkll said that he had not attacked anybody by his motion, which was exactly the same as that he had intimated his intention bf moving a few days ago. He again asserted that the anomalies in the tariff had not been adjusted, but he did not want to disturb the present debate. The proper time for his resolution to be taken was on the eeooad reading of the Tariff Bill. He could not understand the Premier making this question one of no confidence, and aB they had already had so many changes in the tariff, how did they know that the Government would not again alter the tariff so completely that his (Captain Bussell's) motion would not be necessary. ■ The Hon J. G. Wabd thought that the House could easily see Captain Russell's motive. Captain Eussell wished to get members of the Government Party, after having heard their opinions, to do that which was done on a former occasion by the Atkinson Party. Aa he (Mr Ward) bad already stated that the Government would not object to reasonable alterations in the tariff, the' action of the honourable gentleman could only bo to harass the Government. His motive was evidently to give those members of the Government Party who had not agreed with the tariff propcs&la an opportunity of giviog the Government a Blap in the face, but he would tell the honourable gent'emauthat the Government supporters would not be dragged through the mire in that manner. He agreed with the Premier that the Government could not, after a resolution of this kind — which was one of want -of -confidence — had been proposed, act in any other way than to , prop se the adjournment of the House. He asserted that the agricultural • community were by this tariff receiving ' relief to the extent of £17,000, although many members thought no relief at all was Afforded. He hoped that the House would stand by the Government in the motion of the leader of the Opposition. Sir B. Stout thought that the course proposed by the Government was a -most extraordinary one. The leader tf the Opposition had merely given notice that when a certain Bill came .down, he would propose an amendment. Suppose that Bill never came down. Were they to adjourn for ever P He imagined that the Premier wanted his supporters to vote contrary to their consciences. What was the good of adjourning the House till 7.80, when the Customs Tariff Bill would probably not be down till Tuesday or Wednesday next, He had not been consulted by the leader of the Opposition over the motion, but if Captain Russell was the man he took him for he would not consent to withdraw his motion, after giving notice oi it. He presumed the Government wished to tranaaot some Cabinet business, and that was the reason it wished to adjourn. Mr Duthib took a Bimilar view and said that the responsibility of interrupting the financial debatein the manner proposed by the Premier must rest with the Government. Messrs Bell, G. W. Eussell and Earnshaw and Dr Newman also spoke. The Hon B. J. Sbddon, in replying, said he had thought that the ordinary course should have been followed in the face of 'the surprise sprung upon the Government, and that an adjournment would be agreed to, bo that at 7.80 the Government would be prepared to aay what course it would take. He reminded Captain Russell that when Mr. G. J. Smith gave notice of his resolution last week be (Mr Seddon) had asked the leader of the Oppositipn whether Mr Smith had consulted bim before bringing down his

motion, and he had added that if the leader of the Opposition had concurred in that course' he (Mr Seddon) would ask for the adjournment of the House. He thought that Captain Bussell's action in moving the present amendment was owing, to a fear that his position would be usurped by the left wing of the party, and he thought that the Leader of the Opposition would have consulted his own dignity if he had waited till the financial debate was closed before giving notice of his motion. He said that it was well known that the Tariff Bill could not come down for Boma time yet, as the Government had more serious matters to consider. The Government proposed to adjourn now, and at 7.30 it would move the adjournment of the financial debate, when it would ask Captain Ruaaell to move his amendment. If he refused to- move it at 7.30 the Government would treat it with the contempt it deserved, and would take its own course afterwards. He undertook to say that, whilst Government supporters had spoken freely during the financial debate, there was not. that wholesale condemnation of the Government which Opposition, members referred to. The motion for adjournment was agreed to on the voices, and the House rose at 3.50 p.m.