PARLIAMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3121, 16 July 1892, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THURSDAY. The Council met at 2.H0 p.m. The Libel Bill and Courts of Justice Technical Defects Bill pa-sod their final stages. The Irstitute of Suiv-ynrs Bill was partly considered in Committee. When Clause 8, "qualifications for membership," was reached. Mr Stevens took exception, and «:itd the Institute might oecouie a kind of trade union. Therefore, he considered the clause should be amended. Sir Patrick Buckley admitted that therd was neod f -r amendment, and progress was reported on the measure. The Council rose at 4.25 p.in. FRIDAY. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Oyster Fisheries Bill, VVeßtland and Grey Education Board Bill were read a. first time. The New Zealand Companies Land Claimants Bill, Unclaimed Lands Bill, and the Institute of Surveyors Bill were considered in Committee and reported with slight amendments. The Council rose at 3.30 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. THURSDAY. Tbe House met at 2,30 p.m. Leave of absence for a fortnight was granted to Sir George Grey, on account of illness. In reference to the debenture tax, Mr Harknesa asked the following question of the Premier :—ls it true, as reported in tho New Zealand Herald of 4th July, 1892, that in answer to the question : "I understand that it is your intention to bring in a Bill to relieve the English debenture-holders «f double taxation?" the Premier gave the following reply : "Yos, 1 propose to bring in such a measure to relieve debentureholders who have money on mortgage—that is to say, they will pay on their mortgages, but nothing in the shape of income tax upon their debentures. That will be a great relief to some of them. We are not at all afraid of the debenture-holders or mortgage companies, but we are inclined to do what we believe to be just and right." This led up to a very acrimonious debate, during which the Premier evaded the question by stating that he could not vouch for the accuracy of what appeared in the Press. Mr Fish thereupon moved the adjournment of the House in order to speak. He was followed in his attack upon the Premier for evading the question by Messrs Fergus, Scobie McKenzie, Dr. Newman, and Sir John Hall. The latter, in the course of his remarks, said the Minister refused in a manner unprecedented, discourteous, and insnlting to the House, to supply this information. The Speaker : That is strong language. Sir John Hall : It is very strong, but the circumstances appear to me to call for strong language. Mr W. P. Reeves, rising to a point of order, said that the word " insulting " had been ruled to be unparliamentary in the House.

Sir John .Hall said he would use the phrase " insulting to the feelings of the House," because that was what it was.

The Speaker ruled that the. phrase was permissible. The Premier denied that he had insulted the House, or had withheld information. If the Opposition wanted information, their proper course was to table a motion, and not to put insulting questions. The Sneaker ruled that the word " insulting " was unparliamentary, arnd the Premier withdrew it.

Continuing, Mr Ballance said he had .1 Bill in process, and when it was brought down tho House would see what their proposals were. The Opposition were asking too much, and the honourable member for Ellesmere, in applying coarse and insulting expressions— Sir John Hall ruse to a point of order. Were such terms permissible ?

Tha Speaker ruled that they were not. The Premier : Before I completed the sentence, the hon. gentleman rose. The Speaker : The Premier must withdraw. The Premier : I was going to say—Ciies of " Withdraw !') The Premier said he would withdraw the words, but he wished to explain that when he used the word '* insulting " —(Cries " Of course.") Mr Baclianan : I understood, you, sir, to insist upoti the withdrawal of the words. The Speaker : The hon. gentleman has withdrawn. Mr Hogg : I rise to a point of order. I understood your ruling to be that the term " insulting " was unparliamentary when applied to the Government. (Laughter.) The Speaker : There is no difference between the Govemmnnt and any other person. The Premier, in concluding his remarks, said he had no intention to be discourteous, and that as soon as he had the information the Opposition would get it. Mr Bolleston said the question the Premier was asked by Mr Harkness was whether the words he was reported to have used were true, and to this he gave the evasive answer that he could not vouch for what appeared in the newspapers. That was an answer utterly unworthy of him. The motion for adjournment was negatived. FRIDAY. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Mr Bruce, the newly elected member for Rangitikei took the oath, and his seat. Replying to questions, It was stated that the Government would consider the question of putting an import duty on Island fruit when the tariff was being reviewed ; that the Government had no reason to suppose at present that the judgments given by ex-Judge Edwards were not good in law, but the matter was now under consideration and if it were found that the judgments were not valid a bill would be introduced to validate them ; that the Government did not see its way to introduce a schema havinc for its object tho advancing of money at moderate rates of interest to perpetual leaseholders on the security of their improvements; that the question of allowing IS word telegiams to be sent as ordinary messages had been carefully considered and it would be given effect to when noxn a change was made. The motion to appoint a select committee to consider how the manufactures and industries of the colony may be encouraged was agreed to. The House rose at 5.30 p.m. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. On the motion that the House go into Committee ot Supply, the Hon. Mr Rolleston said he wished to make a few remarks on the Financial Statement. He said he did so at some disadvantage, owing to the House not having been put is possession of necessary information to enable it to discuss the finances of the colony. Mr Uullontnn criticised at considerable length the several subjects referred to in the Financial Statement. In concluding his remarks he vent.ired to say it was the first time that a Government had remained in office after their advice had boon twice j rejectsd.

Hon. Mr Ward said Mr Rolleston's concluding statinents about the Budget were very different from those of the beginning. He had just congratulated the Government on such a satisfactory Budget, but before concluding he had characterised it as socialistic. He accmed Mr Kolleston of having done more during the recess to get class against class than any other member.

Mr Geo. Hutchison said he was ready to congratulate the Government on having put up Mr Ward to reply to Mr Rolleston, but he was grieviously disappointed at his speech, as nearly the whole of it was taken up with recriminating. As to the land policy of the Government, he said there was no doubt whatever that freehold was in danger and they must be prepared to stand by it at all hazards. [Left Sitting.]