The Bank Enquiry.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 30, 4 August 1896, Page 2

The Bank Enquiry.

[Per Press Association^ Wellington, August 3. The Committee then proceeded to deliberate. On resuming the Chairman said the Committee desired wit- : ness to produce the statement asked for with regard to the landed propertj. The witness said he would do so. The Premier said under the circumstances he had decided not to ask the witness any more questions for the present. He thought it in keeping with his self respect to suspend his further examination of this witness [ until the no confidence debate was i finished. The whole responsibility in i the matter must rest with the leader ! of the Opposition. Mr Montgomery then proceeded to " examine Mr Booth. His first question was " What has been the effect , of the Banking enquiry on the current 7 business of the Bank V Witness : " Distinctly an unfavorj, able one." Mr Montgomery; "In what way ?" s Witness : "We have lost some I business, but as far as we know the loss has been confined to New Zealand." Mr Seddon moved the Committee do adjourn as the question just asked a would tend to prejudice the position 8 of the Government as they had set up ' the enquiry. Mr Montgomery said his next quest ion would show that the position 7 would not be prejudiced. After a short discussion iv which Mr Guin--3 ness urged the Committee should be t made a secret one, Mr Seddon's uio- " tion was lost. Mr Montgomery continuing hia j examination asked whether the posiB tion taken up by Mr Watson had any effect on the Bank. c Witness : " Yes a favorable one." Witness proceeded to say the enquiry B would do the Bank natural harm, g even on the present basis of limitation c made by Mr Watson. Mr Montgomery asked why and Mr 1 Cooper immediately rose and asked ■f leave to explain something. Objec- '■' tion was raised to this, and the Chair- ' man ruled any address was out of order. P Mr Cooper said he had a very seriy ous question to raise, and asked whether he was to be refused a hearing on behalf of the Bank at this critical stage of the enquiry. He went on to say that he wished to enter a protest in the interests of the D Bank, but the Chairman ruled he * could not proceed with bis remarks 3 and after some discussion the Commit--5 tee decided to deliberate on the i point. * On the Committee resuming the 5 Chairman informed Mr Cooper coun--5 sel's address could not be heard. All counsel could do would be to advise \ their witnesses and put questions ; through the chair. i Mr Guinness gave notice to move rhat the Committee report to the House that in its opinion it is desirable that the order in reference to the suspension of the Standing Orders so as to admit the press to the proceedings of the Committee be rescinded. The Committee then adjourned till 10.30. _____ _