PARLIAMENTARY.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XVIII, Issue 3107, 2 August 1894, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

THE FINANCIAL DEBATE. The Financial Debate began last night. Mr Ward spoke for an hour in defence of the Government proposals. He was followed by Mr Mitchelson who alluded to the extraordinary course adopted by the Treasurer in opening the debate. Instead of one of the Ministers replying to Mr Mitchelson, Mr Tanner was put forward for that purpose. Tho Opposition resented this by leaving the Chamber.

Sir Robert Stout ruse after Mr Tanner resumed his er-wt, and commented on tho want of courtesy shown by Ministers, in uot putting one of their number up to reply to Mr Mitchelson, but ho purposely attributed it more to want of ability cn ihcir part than to want of courtesy. Sir Robert then made a scathing attack on the Budget proposals in one of the most effectivo speeches heard in the House for years past. Tho Premier replied to Sir Robert in an excited manner and made a fierce attack on that gentleman’s political career. At the conclusion of the Promier’s speech Sir Robert Stout rose and said he was prepared to narrm th.? two Ministers who saw th“ Railway Union in Christchurch respecting the appointment of the new Railway Commissioners. In response to cries of “ Name them !” Sir Robert Stout said : “ One, I believe, was tho Minister for Education aud the other, I think, was the Premier. Mr Seddon denied that he had seen the men on tho subject at t.ll. Mr Reeves admitted that he hod talked with the men on tho matter, and had expressed the opinion that there should be a change in the Commissioners, but ho (the Premier) had not approached them on tho subj-ct. Mr E. M Smith moved the adjournment of tho debate, which was agreed to. Tho House rose at 12.20 a.m.