HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 299, 22 June 1895, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30. Mr Seddon moved leave of absence for one month be granted to Sir G. Grey on account of ill health. Captain Russell said this involved a constitutional question, and pointed oat that Sir G. Grey had taken no steps himself to obtain leave of absence. He had never been sworn in as a member of the House, or taken the oath of allegiance, and Captain Russell therefore contended it was not in tho power of the House to grant the right hon. gentleman leave of absence. In bringing this matter forward he was not actuated by any party or personal motives. Sir Robert Stout pointed out this was the third session that Sir G. Grey had been absent, and in his opinion the seat was vacant. Mt Crowther' thought if any objection were necessary it should cotne "from Sir G. Grey's constituents. He declared Sir G. Grey would again be elected if he stood for Auckland city. Mr Seddon, in reply, said he could quote numerous precedents in which members had received the same privilege as was now asked for by Sir G. Grey. They must remember that sickness always counted as attendance at the House. His last information respecting Sir G. Grey was that he would shortly be leaving England for the colony, and he was sure evei*3' consideration should be shown to such a reasonable motion. The motion was agreed to on the voices. A total of 54 bills were introduced by Ministers and private members and read a first time. On the Standing Orders Committee being set up Major Steward expressed the opinion that there should be some curtailment of time limit in the committee of the House. Mr Seddon said this committee could get to work early, so that the point raised by the hon. member «ould be decided without delay. Mr Seddon moved that, pending s the consideration of the report and recommendation from the Joint House Committee, Bellamy's be conducted the same as heretofore. He said he not wish the matter to be prejudiced until the Committtee reported. Sir R. Stout objected and said the House should deal with the question at once. The motion was carried on a division by 27 to 18. QUESTIONS. Replying to questions, it was stated — That the chief dairy expert was making inquiries as to the Edenden lightning butter extractor in Victoria, and if these investigations wsre satisfactory the Minister of Agriculture would have the machine introduced into New Zealand. That the Tariff Commission's report would be laid on the table of the House simultaneously with the Government proposals with regard to the tariff. The House rose at 5.30 p.m.