EVENING SITTING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 293, 10 September 1910, Page 5

EVENING SITTING.

Sir Joseph Ward's motion, moving that it be a question of privilege in connection with the Council's appropriation was added as a sub-clause in the Crimes Bill, and was carried by 43 to 25 votes. The House went into committee of supply and estimates. Mr Massey raised a doubt as to the statement of savings under the retrenchment scheme, and averred in conection with the Land Tax Department that it was common gossip that certain offenders had been able to save themselves by bringing political pressure to bear. Sir Joseph Ward, replying, said 1041 persons had been retrenched and the permanent savings amounted to £247,474. Ho was not responsible for street gossip about land tax irregularities. Mr T. E. Taylor (Christchurch) contended members had a right of access to any official report on the lands executive. Sir J. Ward replied that the personal matters of taxpayers should be kept secret, and the Minister was sworn to secrecy. Mr Massey agreed with Sir J. G. Ward, but considered there had been too much secrecy and mystery and too much Star Chamber methods in the recent cases. Hon. Millar replied to Mr Allen, explaining how savings in the Railway Department had been effected. The first item on the Legislative Department's vote was carried and the House rose at 2.50 a.m.