House of Representatives.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 23, 27 July 1893, Page 2

House of Representatives.

Mr Seddon laid on ibe table an explanation of Mr Blow, Under- Secretary for Public Works, respecting alteration in the Public Works Statement last session. Mr Blow's explanation was to the effect that he alone was responsible for the mistake that occurred in the statement and that Mr Seddon was in no way to blame for it. Mr Seddon moved that the papers with Mr Blow's explanation be referred to the Public Accounts Committee. Mr Rolleston seconded the motion. In doing so, he said he hoped the charge he made against the Premier would also be gone into by the committee. That charge was that the Premier proceeded to argue on incorrect figures contained in the Public Works Statement, and that, although the figures were altered, no alteration was tuude to the public, in the remarks made by the Minister for Public Works before the figures were corrected. After some discussion the motion was agreed to. Mr McKenzie (Clutha) moved the adjournment of the House on the question he asked with regard to thd unemployed at Catlin's River, and a lobg discussion ensued on the unemployed question and co-operative system of labor. A large number of members took part in the discussion. Mr Sandford resumed the debate on the Financial Statement. He congratulated Mr Bolleston on the speech he had made the previous night, and said that as much as he differed from the Leader of the Opposition, he always derived pleasure from his utterances. He thought Mr Ward would prove a worthy successor to his late lamented chief. He defended the Government finance and resented the assertions that because members of the Government pftrty criticised the statement it showed the falling off in their allegiance. They could not conceal the fact that the unemployed difficulty exj isted, but it bad been grossly exaggerated for interested reasons, and seriously interfered with the Government in dealing j with it. He agreed with the co-operative \ contract system, approved of the Cheviot purchase. He spoke in support of the Graduated Tax, but thought the Income Tax should also be graduated, and considered it was time the House had control over the railways. Although he strongly approved ot the statement on the whole there was one great omision, as he thought Government should have taken up and dealt with the reform of the liquor laws. Mr Rhodes congratulated Mr Sandford on the temperate tone of his speech. He complimented Mr Ward on being the first native born Colonial Treasurer, but he could not congratulate him on his budget as it was not his work. He ■aid that unless the publio works expenditure was reduced the Government would, in the event of a fall occurring in the revenue, find themselves without any money at the end of the year. Mr C. H. Mills spoke in warm admiration of the statement. He said if the subsidies to local bodies were not continued the Government would have to take oyer the main roade. Dr Newman dealt principally with the finances of the Government and mainaioed the position of tbo colonj had not been correctly described in the budget. Mr J. W. Kelly speaking in the Government interest, earned on the debate till 1.20 a.m. when the House rose.