THE VOUCHER STORY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1553, 8 September 1905, Page 2

THE VOUCHER STORY.

THE PREMIER’S MOTION.

FISHER TALKS OF MORE 11 DISCLOSURES.”

{Pci: Press Association.^ Wellington, last night. In the House thiß afternoon a debate took place on the Auditor-General’s report on the alleged payment to Captain Soddon. The Premier moved that the report of tho Controller and Auditor-General be adopted ; also— *' 1. That this House is satisfied that tho charge against Captain Seddon of improperly receiving payment for reorganising the defonce stores, and against'Messrs Collins, Gray, and Moßetb, of- giving untrne certificates relating thereto, has been completely refuted, and never should have been made.

2. That in the oase of Captain Seddon, this House regrets that the oharge against him should have been reiterated after, it bad been shown to be unfounded. 3. That it be an instruction to the supervisor .of Hansard and the Govern* meat Printer to insert in the bound copies of Hansard, at the end of the speech made by the member for Wellington, Mr F. M. B. Fisher, in which the oharge was first made, and at the end of every debate wherever subsequent reference was made thereto in Hansard, a oopy of tbe Controller and Auditor-General's report, and that attention be drawn to the said report, and to this resolution, Bnd that intimation bo given that the said charges haye been investigated and refuted. Mr Fisher declared that his witnesses could not possibly have made a mistake in stating they had seen a voucher payable to R. J. 8. Seddon, and urged that in fairness to them the Government should grant a publio enquiry. If that were granted there wonld be an exceedingly startling die: olosure.

Mr MoNab moved an addition to the Premier's motion, congratulating 'the Treasury officials and Captain Seddon upon the vindication of their reputations.. Mr Taylor also urged that a publio enquiry should be held. Sir Joseph Ward pointed out that some of the officials of the post office at Christ* church had broken tbe regulations by disclosing information wbiob they were bound to keep secret. The debate was interrupted by the 5.80 adjournment.

LAURENSON ADMITS HIS PARTY’S BLUNDER.

FISHER RIDICULES HALLUOI NATIONS.

(Peri Pfess Association.) Wellington, last night. On the House resuming at 7.80 th voucher debate was continued, and pro needed throughout the'evening. Mr Laurenson admitted that the weight of evidenoe was overwhelmingly againßt any payment whatever having been made to Captain Seddon for reorganising defonce stores.

It was suggested in the course of the debate that tbe whole thing was based on hallucinations of the Christchurch postal officials, but Mr Fisher ridiculed this suggestion. Mr Seddon said as to these offioials, there would be a departmental enquiry, and it would be private or public, as the Govornor-in-Counoil determined.

Mr Massey said ho was in complete accord with the Auditor-General’s report, but he objected to the Premier’s proposal to interfere with Haneard. He also thought Mr McNab’s amendment unnecessary.

The debate was proceeding at midnight.