PARLIAMENTARY

Kumara Times, Issue 2797, 8 September 1885, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

THE GOLD DUTY ABOLITION BILL. DEPARTMENTAL ESTIMATES. EAST AND WEST COAST RAILWAY. (from our own correspondent.] Wellington, September 8. In the House yesterday afternoon the sitting was wasted in discussing Federation, which all ended in botheration. The Public Works and Public lie venues Bills were passed through Committee. On the motion for going into Committee on the Gold Duty Abolition Bill, Captain Sutter, moved that the bill be committed that day six months. Mr Seddon opposed the amendment in a powerful speech, and dealt with Sutter and his arguments in no gentle terms.

The amendment was carried by a majority of one. Of the two northern goldfields members, Fraser and Cadnian voted with the majority, so that once more the miners have been sold by their representatives. The House then went into the Departmental Estimates. The only reduction made was that of striking ont £IOO for Pyke, the Chairman of Goldfields Committee. This was done principally by Canterbury members in revenge for Pyke's action in regard to the East and West Coast Railway.

The whole of these estimates are now passed, and the House adjourned at 4.30 a.m.

To-night the Public Works Estimates come on, and stormy work is anticipated.

Government refuse to make the East and West Coast Railway a Ministerial question, but promise next session to stand or fall by their policy.

VOTES FOR THE MINES DEPARTMENT. OPPOSITION OF SUTTER AND OTHER MEMBERS. BEVAN DENOUNCING SUTTER AND ROLLESTON. [From the Parliamentary Correspondent of the West Coast Times.] Wellington, September 5.

The House was in Committee on the Estimates till half-past four o'clock this morning, when it rose. The strongest possible opposition was given to the votes for the Mines Department, Messrs Sutter, Hislop, and Richardson distinguishing themselves, especially the first named, who never misses an opportunity of reviling miners and their industries.

Mr Rolleston also actively engaged in the contest, and protested against business being pushed through at that hour of the morning, in order to escape the fullest inquiry and investigation. Messrs Menteath, Guinness, Seddon, and Bevan defended their respective constituencies.

Mr Larnach strongly urged the votes in the Lest interests of the colony. Mi* Bevan, in unmeasured terms, denounced the attitude of Messrs Sutter and Rolleston. He regarded the former as ;t miserable evidence of base ingratitude—one who owed his position in life to the profits he had made out of miners in the early days of Tuapeka. The associations of his (Mr Sutter's) early life probably were connected with State pauperism, as he appeared to know so much about it. Me (Mr Bevan) would not stand by and hear whole com in unities traduced in this wholesale fashion, men whom he was proud to say would bear favorable comparison with any in the colony for intelligence and independence of character and integrity of purpose even to the member himself, with the highsounding title of " Captain," which he (Mr Bevan) was not aware had been won in the Army, Navy, Volunteers, or in a coal barge, but probably in the latter. He would, however, treat- with contempt the abuse of ihe h--n. gentleman, and he felt assured that every honorable unprejudiced member of the

Home would do the samp. Willi regard to Mr Rolleston lie (Mr Beva-') would challenge him in th<> broad light of day, on any platform, to support the selfi-h views lie propounded. The miners were as honorable in their walks of life as Mr Roll est on himself, they came not to sue in the form of paupers, but to demand their rights, and demand teeognition for services they were rendering to the State in developing the resources of the colony. Mr Rolleston had always keenly opposed the best interests of the miners, and had succeeded in making himself the most unpopular man in New Zaaland through his narrow-minded views on all public matters. Every item on the Estimates was opposed, but ultimately all of them passed without alteration.