HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1848, 23 May 1888, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuesday, May 22. The House met at 2 30 p,m, THE FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE COLONY. Mr Lnce asked the Premier without notice whether the 6 aanoial condition of the o-lony was bo Berloua as to warrant the statement attributed to the AttorneyGenera], that If the loan was not raised at onco the colony would have to file ita fobeonle of insolvency,, and if the statement were incoireot whether the Premier would instruct his colleague to withdraw it, or explain why it was msde. The Prem'er Bald the form m which the question was pot made it very difficult to reply to. The Attorney-General bad Informed him he had never made the statement at all. - Mr Reeveß (St Albans) : I heard It. The Premier : What did yon hear 7 Mr Reeveu stated the Attorney-General said that, if a loan was not raised at ottos the colony would have to file its achedule. The Premier said his obllaiguo had Inforraad him that what he said was that If Parliament did not authorise the railing of the loan, we (the Government, not the colony) would be compelled to file our schedule. The " Hansard " report of Sir Frederick Whl taker's aeepoh contained no *■ such statement, and the House wav . therefore, bound to aooept Sir Frederiok | Whisker's denial. Had the oolony been In such a elate, he (tin Premier) would have called the Hoaae together months ago. The. whole of the statements which had recently been made m pertain quarters 1 as to the serious finanoial condition of i the colony were a tissue of misrepresents* tione. The fact was that Government had bean advised that the loin should be put on the market m May, if possible, to take advantage of the advance . m colonial securities, bnt they had no Intention of hvrrying on ia any way. Mr Tombnll felt compelled to move the adjournment of the House. He. .too had heard the statement made by Sir Frederiok Whltaker, and so had seven other members of the House, and he fully corroborated Mr Reevea' version. The proper course to remove the bad impression produced by his Bpaeob, whloh no doubt had been telegraphed Homey .was to immediately bring down the Financial Statement, and no business should be transacted till this was done. Several other members took the same view. Mr Lanoa thanked the Premier for his (statement, bat agreed {with the memben who urged an immediate delivery of the Financial Statement. . . Sir John Hall said that the statement if trna was striotly justified. Government had by the authority of the Hooie anticipated the loan as their engagements had to be met ; if not, Government would be responsible m the Bame way a.s private Individuals were who repudiated their deb's. The Premier regretted the attitude taken up by some of the members. He could not entertain the idea of adjourning the House m order to bring down the Financial Statement at once. He read Sir Frederick Wbitaker's explanation of what he had stated which was similar to that already given exoept that it repudiated any idea of alluding to the Bank of New Zealand, and finished by saying that, when making his original statement, Sir Frederick Whitaker had remarked that his language was the language of exaggeration. The Premier proceeded to say that the oolony was m a better financial position than last seseion, and In a fair way to meet its liabilities. Mr Beeves (St. Albana) said it was true that Sir Frederiok Whitijfcer had used the words " We ehall have to file," etc., which were not explained to mean the Government, but it was impossible to understand him m any sense hut that of the colony. In any caae it was a most indisoreet expression to übc. After a few further remarks from various members, the motion for the adjournment was negatived. QUESTIONS, Replying to questions it was stated that provision would be made for paying common jurors a jury fee for each day when a civil case extends over more days than one ; that Government would take steps to extend to New Zealand the same advantages m respect to the foreign parcels post as are possessed by other portions of the British dominions.; that a large number of applications for the office of Railway Commissioner had been received from Home, but the Government had been advJßed that none of.them were fit for the position, and further enquiries were now being made ; that Government were considering the question i of 'giving effect to a resolution passed by the Ho,uf}a relating to the proceeds of the totalisatov, and would glvo a definite reply m a few days. GODLIN SJOTH BlUi. . Mr Fisher moved the second reading of the Oodlin Moth Bill, which provided foi the destruction of an inseot known as the moth. NAVAL AND MILITARY SEITIBRS AND VOLUNTEERS LAND BILL. Mr Fergus moved the second reading of the Naval and Military Settlers and Volnnteors Land Bill. The second reading was carried on the voices, DISTRICT RAILWAYS PUROHASISQ BILL. Mr Hislop moved tho second reading of the District Bail ways Purchasing Bill. Cn the moion of Mr Mills the debate was adjourned till Friday next, Mr Hifllop 1 consenting. "• n • THE ELEOTORAL BILL. Mr Hislop Baid that though the Electoral Bill waa on the' Order Paper, he though he expressed the feeling of the Ifouse that there had scarcely' been time to master the provisions of so biflky a measure, and, he would postpone it, Tho debate was carried on for three quarters of an hoar, and then the motion for postponing the Bill was carried, and the House adjourned at 9,30 p.m.