HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 236, 8 April 1897, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, April 7. The House met at 2.30. Notice was given of a large number of questions and motions, including one by the Premier for the adoption of the address of congratulation to the Queen. Mr Taylor gave notice to ask whether steps will be taken to prosecute the directors and officials of the Colonial Bank. Mr Seddon then moved the suspension of the Standing Orders to enable Government business to take precedence on Wednesday and Thursday. This gave rise to a brisk debate, the Opposition objecting that such a course would enable the Government to refuse to answer any questions and to supply returns. The Premier said that unless the motion was agreed to they would have to* morrow spent over local bills and notices of motion. That was not the object for which the session was called. Eventually he agreed to give the Speaker a list of those notices of motion which would not be opposed and promised to confer with the Leader of the Opposition about the remainder. With regard to questions there might be some Government would not undertake to answer lest it should merely lead to waste of time. A division was called for and the motion was carried by 44 to 26. On the House resuming at 7.30, Mr Hutcheson, senior member for Wellington, moved the Address in-Reply. He said the reason they were called together was to arrange for commemoration of the Record Reign of Her Majesty, and be declared that all would admit Her Majesty's reign was unparalleled. After twenty minutes Mr Hutcheson closed bis speech and Mr Allan, of Wfukouaiti. rose to second the Address. In doing so, be followed on much the same lines as the mover. He said the only two reasons for calling Parliament together were the sanctioning of the Premier going Home and the extension of supplies. He supported sending troops and riflemen to England and declared, if not done, it would to a large extent discount New Zealand's professions of loyalty. Cap't. Rnssell followed, and said he would not now attempt to show the misdoings of the Government. An invitation had been receiyed from Home, and what they should do was to send Home the man in a position to do honor to the colony, No doubt the Queen's reign, while unique, was the record for the world, but another thing that was unique was that the Premier bad informed them that his colleagues were really able to carry on while he was away, yet he insisted that Parliament must be closed before he goes, and shall not be re-opened till he returns in September. He questioned whether it was the proper thing to invest the whole power in the hands of one man. He said that the arrangement with the Premier was that Parliament wonld be convened not later than September 30. Mr Seddon denied this, and said that what he said was that be would submit the matter to the Cabinet. Captain Russell, continuing, said that it was an after thought. The Premier, he argued, could easily return before the middle o! September, and if not why could not his colleagues prepare matters for discussion. If Parliament did not meet before the middle of October, there would be no time left to discuss ia a proper manner, and at length, the questions before Christmas came along, when it would be impossible to keep the House together. If they gave the Premier 10 weeks in England that should be sufficient. He was not in favor of Rending Home either cavalry or Maoris, and dressing them in uniforms to which they had no right. As to the Premier discussing matters at Home, he thought and insisted that before anyone went Home be should disclose the attitude he was to take on certain questions. This was a right members were entitled to. The Hon. McKenzio, replying to Capt. Russell, said the Ministry could carry on in the absence of Mr Seddon, but they considered that it was only right and proper the Premier should be present while Parliament was in session. Mr Scobie ■ McKenzie, amid much laughter, referred to the Premier's Dane* virke 6peech, in which he had called upon tlio press aud the people of New j Zealand to twat Government lightly duriup bis absence. Therefore, the Minister of Land's remarks, in reply to Capt. Rnssell, were not called for, aad bo ciiaffiugly contended the Premier's speech indicated the Government could u ot carry on without him, He would make a generous offer to the Govern* tneiit, and that was that the Opposition would lend cne of their party to carry on, the busiuess of the country during Mr ' Seddon's absence. He did uofc w^ot ths

position himself, but uo more generou offer bad been made by any Opposition Mr Taylor approved of the Premier' •risis to England. The motion wa car *» m , . Wellington, This Day. The House mot at 10 o'clock. - Sir Robert Stout raised a question o privilege respecting the suspension o the Standing Orders relating to pre oedence of Government business oi Wednesday and Thursday, and com plained that the members of tbi Government had improperly altered th< order paper and put their own motion! before those of private members whe bad notices tabled first. The Speaker said the order paper was prepared by the Clerk of the House and was not altered such as to constitute a breach of privilege. The House adjourned for a quarter oi an hoar to allow the Speaker to present the address to the Governor. Replying to a question the Government did not favor converting Mount Cook gaol into a University, but might favorably consider the question of making during the record year provision for a Wellington University. The Mmi6ter of Railways said in view of providing for the safety of the travel> ling public he could not give the Railway linemen the Saturday half-holiday. The Premier said he could not see his way to relieve foreign coiuuiercial travellers of the £50 hceuse fee. The Minister of Lands said Government had not taken steps to raise the second million and a half for Advances to Settlers as a portion of the previous loan was still in hand. The Government had taken steps to arrest officers of the Accident Insurance Company of New Zealand for misrepresentation in the Wairarapa district, but have not been able to serve it. Mr Seddon moved a committee be appointed to consider the best means to appropriately represent New Zealand's congratulations on the completion of the 60th year of the QueeDs's reien. Such a course, he thought, would give pleasure to every member of the Legislature and such committee, he knew, would draw up an appropriate address. Capt Russell in seconding said Her Majesty's happy reign was an epoch almost unparalleled in the world's history. Mr Rolleston felfc that an address would be drawn up which would do justice to New Zealand. Mr Carroll, on behalf of the native race, expressed the pleasure he felt at the motion being proposed and referred to the complete unity existing between the natives and the Europeans. Th_ tnn+.inn wa.r carried unanimously.