THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Evening Star, Issue 3004, 4 October 1872, Page 2

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

[By Electric Tklkoraph.]

(From the New Zealand Press Association.) October 4. Last night, the Speaker read a letter from Mr Harrison, stating that on Monday last, Capt. Holt, Mr Brogden’a Private Secretary, interviewed him, and offered, on behalf of the firm, to enter into an arrangement for the use of Harrison’s services, as journalist, in furthering through the Press of the Oolong certain undertakings conte nplaced by the firm, particularly for water supply qn the Goldfields, and the censtruction of railways by a company, He was willing to enter into such an arrangement; but Capt. Holt then added the condition, that ne should, as a member of the House, use his influence to f »rward the interests of Mr Brogden’s firm, and that, while not committing the Independent to support the present Government or vote for the Government himself, he thould use his interest to prevent Mr Vogel bringing down any motion likely to involve the defeat of the Government. The whole tenor of the proposal was, that the receipt qf the proposed remuneration from Mr ‘ Brogdeii wohltp involve' hhj services as a member of the House. Thp interview commenced by his giving Captain Holt a pledge of secrecy, but on this die* honorable proposal being made, he felt it to be his duty to consult the Speaker as to what he should do, The Speaker advised him that where two men voluntarily entered into an engagement of secrecy, it rested on the basis that the communication was honorable to both parties, and if one proposed anything disgraceful or dishonorable, the other was fully justified in considering the pledge of secrecy at an end. The Speaker also advised him that his clear duty was to bring the matter before the House. A rather bitter discussion ensued, Mr Stafford asking for time to consider what course the Government should ask the House to adopt, and stating his own opinion that could justify thp breach cf thtj plddge of sedreeyi ' Messrs Toil, Vogel Rep nolds, and others defended Mr Harrison’s conduct. Mr Gillies thought the matter should never have bean brought before the House Sir David Monro said if the Statement was substantiated, the House had been subjected to one of the greatest indignities possible, Mr' Bell said Mr Harrison had acted entirely byhls advice, arid be tdojt $6 whole responsibility of what had been none in bringing the matter before the House. Re also pointed out that Mr Harrison’s written statement, and a verbal one made to him in the first instance, differed in that in the latter, Mr Harrison made no mention of any particular Government. The matter was allowed to stand over.

Mr Bathgate’s Invercargill Special Rates Bill was opposed by Mr Calder, and rejected op the sepofid reading. The Auckland University Bill passed through committee.