PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 8208, 2 August 1905, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

House ot Representatives.

(By Telegraph—Press Association). Wellington, Last Night. The House met at 2.30 p.m. 11OXING. Sir Joseph Ward gave notice that he would move to appoint a committee to enquire into the rules of boxing in the Colony. BILLS ADVANCED. The Seeds Examination Bill (Hon. T. Y. Duncan) was read a second lime pro forma, and referred to the Agricultural Committee. jiR fisher's charges. The Premier laid on the table a large amount of correspondence relating to the Fisher, Captain Seddon and other incidents, connected with Friday night's debate oh the Imprest Supply Bill. (A previa of these documents appears elsewhere). In reply to Mr Duthie, Mr Seddon said that he had no intention of taking an unfair advantage of Mr Fisher during his absence from Wellington. He did not hesitate to say, however, that Mr Fisher knew of the

voucher to Sneddon (not Scddon) before he left Wellington and he should, in the circumstances, have been in his place in the House that afternoon. Even if he did not know the true facts of the case before he left Wellington, the Press telegrams in Monday morning's papers would have enlightened him, and he could have caught yesterday's steamer from Lyttelton. He (Mr Seddon) wanted to keep clear of any feeling in this matter, and as Leader of the House dealing with a member of tho House he must take the greatest care to be just, .1 Ie did not propose to move any motion on the subject that afternoon ;he intended to allow the matter to remain where it was until after Mr Fisher's return to the House, then he (I'r Fisher) would no doubt-at least he (Mr Seddon) hoped so—take the earliest opportunity of doing justice to hinself, to his constituents, and to those who had been injured by his statement. Mr Duthie said he believed the course proposed to be taken by the Premier was a very proper one. Mr Seddon drew attention to the clearness of the signature (Richard Sneddon) on the original voucher, and said that it should have been absolutely apparent to anyone who was not blinded by passion or prejudice or who had not glanced at it in a great hurry. In the course of further discussion, Mr Seddon said the seriousness of the position was the possibility that, despite the positive proof that a grave mistake had been committed and a gross injury to a public officer, Mr Fisher would again go into the charge on the ground that he had not seen the original voucher and the other proofs that had been submitted to the House that afternoon. There had been a complete refutation of the charge, and it was for the members concerned to take the earliest opportunity of saying so. When Mr Fisher had made his statement, it would be for the House to say what action should be taken. The Leader of the Opposition oonsidered that the Premier had adopted the right course in laying these papers on the table, and in determining to give Mr Fisher an opportunity of making a statement. As far as Mr Fisher was concerned, he (Mr Massey) was not responsible, as Mr Fisher did not belong to the Opposition Party. It should be borne in mind, however, that he was the youngest member in the House, that practically his political experience extended only over a period of five weeks, and that he scarcely knew the responsibility attaching to his position. On these grounds he considered Mr Fisher was entitled to consideration; but if he knew Mr Fisher at all, he believed that if he were yiitisfied lie was in the wrong, he would make full, frank and honest admission of his mistake.

Air Seddon observed that the attack was a very deliberate one, and much would depend upon the way in which he made reparation.

The Premier's motion, " That the documents produced be laid on the table and be printed," was then agreed to on the voices.