HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 33, 7 August 1895, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

On the House meeting at 2.80, the Premier rose and said that an honourable judge, nue of New Zealand's greatest men, had passed away. In the death of Judge Richmond the colony had lost a faithful public servant, one who was respected and honoured by all. It had been stated that the Government had desired his retirement from the Bench, but lie (Scddou) gave this report an unqualified and emphatic denial. The Government deeply deplored his loss and recognised that his place would be very hard indeed to iill. He moved that the Hon.sc adjourn till 7.y0 p.m., as a token of sympathy and rc-gi-ot. Captain Russell, in seconding the motion, said that New Zcalaud mourucd the loss of a great man, and it was fitting that the Council of the State should adjourn in houor of his memory. The motion was agreed to, and the House rose at 2.55 p.m. On resuming at 7JJO, the Hon. J. G. Ward moved that the House go into Committee of Supply and said he would explain, as far as the time at his disposal would allow, the various matters referred to in the Financial Statement. He desired to state emphatically that whilst the Government were prepared to accept reasonable amendments in Committee, if those amendments tended to weaken Government iinanco in any way they wonld not accept them under any conditions. He regretted very much that a confidential information had leaked out. He knew not how. Before the tariff proposals were brought down, and on the strength of this information, speculative clearances from the Customs, representing £1-1,510 in duty, were made on the day prior to the delivery of the Budget. "The Tariff Treaty with Canada was subject to the ratification of Parliament ; and if the House deemed it desirable to eliminate any item not thought requisite, that item could be struck out. He specially mentioned the timber item, and said ho was prepared to leave it to the judgment of the House, adding that ouc of the largest timber merchants in Wellington had told him that New Zealand could hold its own with Canada in timber lines. The House should approve of a reciprocal tariff with Canada in a broad spirit. Already some firms in the colony were holding back items, such as wool and tallow, which the Government proposed to put on the free lists for Canada As to fruit proposals with South Australia they could be varied, but their rejection altogether would not destroy the proposed treaty with that colony. Mr Mitchelson was opposed to both the treaties. After Messrs Pirani and Duthie had spoken the debate was adjourned.