PARLIAMENTARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 213, 14 September 1901, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

Legislative Council(By Telegraph—-Press Association.) Wellington, last night. The Council met at 2.30 pan. The Legislative Council passed the Companies Bill through the final stages. House of Representatives-

f apt. Russell was granted one week’s leave of absence on account of illness. Mr Fowlds gave notice to move that a Privileges Committee, consisting of the Speaker, Premier, and Capt. Russell be set up, to which shall be referred all cases of alleged breach of privilege, and no debate shall take place thereon until reported

on by that committee. Mr Seddon gave notice to introduce the Old Age Pensions Act Amendment Bill. Mr Hornsby moved that a breach of the privileges of this House has been committed by the publication in the Manawatu Standard of date 22nd October, 190 n, of a leading article reflecting upon the conduct of members of this House. After a short debate a motion was proposed by Mr Seddon, setting out that the House regrets the uncalled-for attack made on the honor of the House and members in tin- article complained of, but seeing the great length of time that has elapsed since the article was published, [ and inasmuch as reference has been made I

to :i portion of the same article by a member of the House in an earlier part of tiie session, ami no action was taken, tiie House does not see its way to pass tiie motion, ami that all reference to it, with the exception of Mr Hornsby's motion to this resolution, he expunged from the journals of tiie House and from Hansard. The motion was agreed to on the voices. Mr Hone lleko resumed tiie financial debate, which was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30 p.in. Tin- Hon. J. Carroll spoke in defence of the native land policy of the Government. Mr Seddon then replied and brought the debate to a close, lie said there ould be no change in tiie policy of the .lovernmcnt. They would continue to stand by the workers and farmers, and do tii. best fur all classes. There would be a continuation of the moderate borrowing policy, and reasonable expenditure on public works at a moderate pace, preference being given to trunk railways and the reading of the back blocks. He denied that the Government hud departed from the policy laid down by John Jiullunee. He admitted that the expenditure this year had been abnormally high, but the Government, instead of being blamed, should be commended for having met it without increasing taxation. He. pointed out that of the ten millions increase in public indebtedness seven millions did not involve the colony in one shilling of extra interest. Not only did the colony not have to pay interest on that seven millions, hut it actually yielded an absolute profit of .Di0,'.120. lie also contended that the colony’s indebtedness had only increased 11 pur cent., against an increase in population of 10 percent. The revenue for live months of the present year showed an increase of L’153,070, as compared with the corresponding period of last year. lie replied to various members, who had adversely criticised the Government, and in conclusion said that the Government would do justice to the Midland Kailway debenture holders. Tin; House then wont into CmumiUoo of Supply for consideration of the Estimates. Mr dames Allen said that the Premier had for political reasons ordered the Tagus to go from Albany to Dunedin, and the men to Invercargill, against advice of the medical olUccr. Since the arrival of

the Contingents, several men had died, and he asked who was responsible for that. Mr Seddon explained that the Admiralty had decided that the Tagus should not go to the I Hull harbor. Every man who had gone to Invercargill had done so with the sanction of the u ictors. Had the medical men stud a worn about it being unwise to go to 1. w < |... .. j,,. (Mr Seddon) would have bee. . i-i man to say they should go. Hein, dways done his best for the returned eontuigenters. The discus-ion was proceeding at mid-