PARLIAMENTARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1013, 4 August 1883, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Friday, August 3. BILLS. The Confederation and Annexation Bill was read a second time without debate. The Hokitika High School Bill was read a third time. The Guardian Trust and Executors Companies Bill, the Invercargill Reserves Exchange Bill, and the Massey Frauds Indemnity Bill; were received from the House and read a first time. LAPSED POLICIES. The Hon Mr Hart moved for a return of lapsed policies in the Government Insurance Department, stating that he thought it a hardship that those who were unable to keep up their premiums should suffer a totol loss of what they had paid. After discussion the motion was withdrawn. The Council rose at 3 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Friday, August 3. The House met at 2.30. education act. Mr Peacock and Mr Hurst presented petitions numerously signed from Auckland, deprecating recent efforts to make an alteration in the Education Act. questions. Replying to questions, Ministers said:— That the increase of the education vote last session was meant to restore the decreased capitation allowance to the former rate as nearly as possible, and to enable the 10 per cent to be restored to teachers, that being apparently the general desire of the House.—That to give the railway employees a fortnight’s leave of absence per annum on full pay would involve an expenditure of L 20,000, a sum Government was not prepared to expend.—That Mr Curtis, now on the Dunedin Gaol Enquiry, was a Visiting Justice of the Nelson Gaol, but he knew of no reason why he should not be able to leave Nelson with the view of conducting such an enquiry.—That the Government has been advised, in terms of clause 155 of the Land Act, 1877, to allow valuation of improvements upon Crown lands to persons having no colorable authority from the Crown for their occupation.

FIRST READINGS. The following-Bills were introduced and read the first time:—The Timaru Mechanics’ Institute Amendment (Mr Turnbull), Wellington College Land Bill (Mr C. J Johnston), to amend the Volunteer Act, 1881 (Hon Major Atkinson.) MR DARGAVILLE’s ACCUSATION. On the Hon Major Atkinson’s motion about Mr Dargaville’s accusation being called on, Mr DbLadtour said that it was the duji> of the Speaker first to put the question to the party charged as to whether or not the words alleged were thct used by him. He quoted authorities I. support of his contention. The Speaker ruled against the contention, and thought it should be left to the House to decide between the parties. The Hon Major Atkinson then proceeded to move the motion. He thought

it would be admitted that when charges were made against members of the Government, either these should be sifted or else withdrawn unconditionally. The speech delivered by Mr Dargaville was evidently carefully prepared, and the charges not merely made use of in the heat of the debate. The tenor of the speech was that he (Major Atkinson) was not Treasurer but merely an 'accountant for the Bank of New Zea'and, and that he held his seat at the will and for the purposes of that institution. It was evident ihat Mr Dargaville believed ir the truth of his statement, otherwise he would not again assert its truth by cries of “ Hear, hear,” If the charges were true he was a criminal of a very high class, and unfit to sit in that House. He asked Mr Dargaville to second the motion in order to show that there was no party feeling in the inquiry sought. Mr Dargaville not having seconded the motion Mr Mttnro did so.

Mr Dargaville said he was prepared to stand by the language he used on that occasion. He asked apart from party zeal that he would have a fair and impartial hearing, and net be thrust into a position he never had assumed. It was a false issue that had been raised, one that the Treasurer should be ashamed of, and nothing short of a face of brass could have enabled him to do so. He asked f>r nothing but justice. After speaking at considerable length, he concluded by moving, as an amendment—“ That in the opinion of this House the implications contained in the Treasurer’s notice of motion do not arise out of anything said in the House by Mr Dargaville, ” Mr Johnston said that not only had Mr Dargaville libelled the Premier and the Treasurer, but in his speech he had just delivered he had grossly libelled the House. The Treasurer and the Premier were charged with having prostituted their political position for the aggrandisement of the shareholders of a particular institution. He hoped such charges as that would be felt by every member to be an attack upon the honor of the Hou«e. These charges and their reiteration just made rendered it surely imperative that they should be investigated by a Committee.

Mr Joyce considered the defence made by Mr Dargaville a very able one. The best thing that could be done would be to allow the Treasurer to withdraw the motion.

Mr Holmes moved the following amendment:—“ To omit sub-sections numbered 1 and 2, and substitute in lieu thereof the- following words:— ‘ 1, Whether the allegations made against the Premier and the Colonial Treasurer contained in the uncorrected report of the speech of Mr Dargaville, made in this Bouse on Tuesday, the 31st day of July, 1883, in the discussion on the Property Tax Bill, imputed any political corruption or personal dishonesty or dishonor to either of those honorable gentlemen; 2, Whether those allegations are true.’ ” The Hon Major Atkinson and Mr Dargaville accepted the amendment. Mr De Lautour suggested ihat a more complete record of the charge should be made, and that the Committee be appointed by ballot, to be drawn by the Clerk.

Sir George Grey suggested that the charge?should be printed, and the debate adjourned until that was done. This was agreed to, and the House rose. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7 30. Mr Turnbull was well pleased at the chastisement Major Atkinson had received at the hands of Mr Dargaville The facts showed that undue preference had been given to the Bank of New Zealand in various ways. Mr Dargaville went to the root of which this evil was merely an outcome. In dealing with that branch of the question, he said that a political fraud had been committed. He considered that it was wrong for the Premier of the colony to lend his name as a patron to the land companies. In that respect he was at one with Mr Dargaville. Mr Fish contended that the language used did not justify the commotion created in connection with this matter. No good could arise from pursuing this subject further, and he hoped some means might yet be devised for putting an end to it. He strongly condemned the strong language used by Mr Johnston, Mr Munro supported the motion. Mr Joyce suggested that the question should be settled between the parties themselves outside the House and In a Court. Mr Fergus said that members who had supported the Government were naturally anxious that the truth or otherwise of these accusations should be inquired into, and the method proposed was the only proper way in which this could bo done.

Mr Pyee said that serious charges had been brought against the Treasurer, and if these proved false the sooner it was known the better. Either the accused or the accuser should be expelled from the House. This was not the time for a debate of this kind. When it came up ou the report from the Committee that wouta be the proper time for canvassing the merits of the question.

Mr Montgomery contended that if they appointed a Committee to inquire into this matter, they were going entirely against the rules of Parliament. He would move as an amendment—“ That as the words complained of were not taken down at the time they were used, this House considers the course proposed by the motion should not be taken, as it would materially interfere with the free* dom of speech in Parliament.” Mr Moss acquiesced in the opinion that the course adopted by the Government in relation to the New Zealand Native Lands Company Empowering Act was a most complete answer to any charges such as those alleged to have been made by Mr Dargaville.

Mr Mac andrbw was one who voted for the Consolidation Loan Act of 1867, and if they censured one man in cennectien with it, they would have to censure all who took part therein.

The Hon Mr Conolly contended that Mr Montgomery misconceived the whole question at issue. The clauses of the Standing Orders quoted referred to words of heat. In Mr Dargaville’s case no unparliamentary language was used, but he brought a grave and serious charge against the Treasurer. So long as no indecorous or improper language was used the Speaker nor any other person could insist upon the words being taken down. If the charges were true, then the Treasurer shouldjnot remain a member of the House. In not, then the man who preferred these charges should not be allowed to remain a member.

Mr Shephard suggested that the Colonial Treasurer should drop the matter altogether, and allow the previous question to be moved. Mr Hurst hoped the Government would stand by the resolution, and that the whole investigation would be submitted to the House, by which the final determination of the matter would have to be decided. Mr Stevens and Mr O’Callagkan supported the motion. Sir George Grey gave notice that he would move that the Committee consist of ten members, five selected by the Treasurer and five by Mr Dargaville. Mr Shrimski suggested the matter should be allowed to drop. Mr Levestam said that a Committee should be appointed, as it would have to be shown whether these accusations were true or false. Mr Seddon apposed the motion. He moved the adjournment of the debate. Mr Turnbull denied that this affair

threw any light u on Paaliament as a whole, adding that he opposed the dropping of the matter. Th House divided on Mr Holmes’ amendment, as against Mr Montgomery’s, and the former was carried by 43 to 23. On the motion as amended being put, Major Atkinson offered to withdraw the preamble, but Sir George Grey objected. He did not think the solicitor to the Bank of New Zealand should be Premier of the colony Mr Smith moved the previous question.

Mr Fish urged Mr Dargaville to disavow any intention of imputing personal dishonor to either the Treasurer or the Premier, when, as on a similar case in 1878, the Treasurer would no doubt accept the statement and let the matter drop. The previous question was negatived on the voices, and the amended resolution was agreed to. The House adjourned at 1.20.