HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 69, 18 September 1896, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, Sept. 17. The House met at 2.20. The Hon R. J. Seddon said that, after what had taken place last evening in Committee on the Old Age Pension's Bill, it could not be expected that Government would go on with the business. The Ministry disired to maintain its self respect, and, in order that Govern* ment might consider its position, he moved the adjournment of the House tili 7.30. Captain Russell said he offered no ob* jection to this coarse. If the Premier felt that he had lost the confidence of the House, it was only natural he should ask time to consider his position. The House resumed at 7.30. The Hon. R. Seddon made a Minis* terial statement, and said, that being assured that he had the confidence of a large majority of members of the House, and believing the Ministry had the con. fidence of the country, Government pro* posed to go on with the business on the Order Paper to-night, and to-ruorrow he would announce the " slaughter of the innocents." He had felt for the last two days that if matters continued in the way they were drifting, the result would have been the loss of that proud position the Parliament of New Zealand now occupied in regard to the conduct to its Parliamentary business. He hoped to prorogue the House in the first week of October. It had been stated that a difference of opinion existed between himself and one or more of his colleagues, but the statement was one of those idle rumours for which there was not the slightest foundation. He added that he would bring down the Public Works Statement; next week, and would ask the House to sit on Monday even* ing next for the consideration of local Bills. The Government Loans to Local Bodies Act Amendment Bill passed through Committee without material amendment. This Day. The Government Loans to Local Bodies Act Amendment Bill and Public Revenues Act Amendment Bill passed through Committee and their final stages. The House rose at 1.20 a.m.