AFTERNOON SITTING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6025, 11 November 1897, Page 4

AFTERNOON SITTING.

'The House resumed at 2.30 p f ni. . After several hours' discussion, Mr Smith, asked leave to '.withdraw his amendment to reduce the vote. £51S by '.pis..--^: :"■'.■■" ■■ "' . ' ■'■••■.■ '"" : ' Captain Russell. ..hoped Jthat •• tne' Premier would lay oriilie table returns of thg. expenditure of the Hobart Conference in the same way as details of expenditure connected with the Australasian Federation Conference were laid on the table. The Hon J. M'Kenzie said that after the explanation given by the Premier he saw no reason why the returns should not be furnished to the House. Captain Russell : Shall we get returns from the Treasury ? The Hon J. M'Kexzie said they would get from the Treasury a detailed account of the amount drawn by the Premier for the Hobart Conference. Mr Smith's amendment was withdrawn. A lengthy discussion arose on the item .£3OO for" the introduction of Rocky Mountain sheep. Mr Smith said he understood tha'; there was a chance of the House getting some information respecting the vote of .£1750 for the Premier's expenses to London. He should therefore move a reduction of the vote d675, cost of illuminations in London, by £1. Lost on the voices. Mr Taylor said that he intended moving that £1750 should be reduced by a substantial sum, but he should wait to see if any information were given as to the details of that vote, and if that information were not satisfactory he should vote as he thought proper on the item. Mr Smith moved, pro forma, that the vote of £1750 should be reduced by .£SOO. The Premier said that before ho left for London it was understood that no expenses would be allowed by the colony except those which were legitimately incurred. He hoped that the House would not folauie him tor taking up the position that he should represent the colony in a dignified manner, and in such a way as would not reflect on it. The House did not desire that he should be too extravagant, nor did it desire that he should be out of pocket by his trip Home. He had thought that ,£IOOO would pay his expenses Home and back; but he found that he had underestimated the cost. If the question had been put to the House and a fixed sum voted for his expenses, it would have been better, and his feelings would have been spared. He was -prepared, however, to give details of the expenses incurred during his visit to the Old Country, and if anyone doubted them he was willing to produce his bank book. He commenced by stating that he had paid his daughter's expenses himself, and he then detailed the various expenses he had been put to during his absence from the colonv. After reading to the House a. return of the charges lie had had to pay for steamers, railways and miscellaneous expenses for himself and Mrs Seddon, also for onu private secretary, travelling and other expenses he had to meet, he said these expenses amounted altogether to £1070, and his colleagues, after careful consideration, had thought that .£1750 was a fair and reasonable amount to vote him for his expenses. He bad been absent from the colony one hundred and forty-nine days, from April 13 to Sept. S. Heassuredthe House that he hud not been at all extravagant, but lie had endeavoured to maintain the dignity of the position he held aud the colony he represented. After a long discussion Captain Russell said that as the Premier had now f nrnishod to the House items of the expenses incurred during his visit to the Old Country, he (Captain Eussell) would offer no further opposition to the vote. Mr Smith withdrew his amendment and said that he had only moved the reduction ■pro forma. ', The vote £1750 was then passsed without reduction. The total vote of £21,827 for miscellaneous services also passed without alteration. Justice Department, .£122,99(5. A lengthy discussion arose on the item, ro vising barrister friendly societies, and