THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Southland Times, Issue 1645, 8 October 1872, Page 2

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

«■ (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH) Welles-gtost, Oct. 4. In the Assembly last night, the Speaker read a letter from Mr Harrison, stating that on Monday last, Capt. H'>it, Mr Brogden's private secretary, had interviewed him and offered on behalf of the firm to enter iuto an arrangement for the use of Mr Harrisou's services as a journalist in furthering, through the press of i the colony, certain undertakings contemplated by the firm, particularly for ! water supply on goldnelds and the constructiou of railways by a company. He was willing to enter into such an arrangement, but Capt. Holt then added as a condition, that he should, as a member of the House, use his influence to forward the interests of the firm, and that, while not committing the Independent to support the present Government, or vote for the GrOFernment himself, he should use hia interest to prevent Mr Vogel bringing [ down any motion likely to involve the , defeat of the Government. The whole tenor of the proposal was that receipt of remuneration from Messrs Brogden would involve his services as a member of the House. The interview commenced by his giving Capt. Holt a pledge of secrecy, but on this dishonorable proposal being made, he felt it his duty to consult the Speaker as to what he should do. The Speaker advised him that where two men voluntarily entered into an engagement of secrecv, it rested on the basis that the communication, waa honorable to both parties, and if one proposed anything disgraceful or dishonorable, the otber was fully justified in considering the pledge of secrecy at an end. He also advised him that his clear duty was to bring the matter before the House. A rather bitter discussion ensued, Mr Stafford asking time to consider what course the Government would ask the House to adopt, and stating as his own | opinion that nothing could justify the breach of a pledge of secrecy. Messrs Fox, Vogel, Reynolds, and Others defended Mr Harrisons conduct. Mr Giliioa thought the matter never should have been brought before the House. Sir David Monro said if the statement were substantiated, the House had been subjected to one of the greatest indignities possible. I Mr Bell said that Mr Harrison had [ acted entirely by his advice, and be took

the whole responsibility of what had been done in bringing the matter before- the Souse. He also pointed out that Me Harrison's written statement and the' verbal one he had made to him (the Speaker) in the first instance, differed in that, iu the latter, Mr Harrison made no mention of any particular G-overnmenfc. The matter was allowed to stand orer. The course adopted by the Opposition is generally conde-nned. Mr Vogel's opposition ia considered factious. Mr Bath gate's Invercargill Special Rate Bill waa opposed in the Assembly by Mr Calder, and rejected on the second reading.

The Auckland University Bill has passed through Committee. Mr Stafford tuia moved for the appointment of a " Privilege Committee," with power to examine witnesses on oath, in aa inquiry into the Harrison- Brogden ca»e. Uaptt Holt has written to the Speaker denying that he ever made such proposals as Mr Harrison asserts, and Mr Brogden has written denying that Capt. Holt had authority to make any proposals whatever, in reply to Mr Macandrew, the Minister for Public Works said the Government had not considered the subject of constructing a tramway from River ton into the interior. - • • : Oct. 5. Last night Mr TTagel. moved bis no- | confidence resolution in a speech of a little over two hours. Mr Stafford at once rose and said that if the motion were not debated, Mr Vogel would bave no right- of reply, and th© division could be taken at once. Mr Fox complained of his party being taken by surprise in the division being pressed without any debate. The Speaker left the chair for the U3ual twenty minutes' interval. On the House resuming, the division was taken, and the motion was carried by a majority of two. Ayes, 37— Brown, J. E., Studholrae, Fox, Reynolds, M'Lean, Andrews, Seymour, Luckie, Barhgate, Kellv, Pearee, Richardson, E., Rhodes, Steward, Macandrew, Tairoa, Katene, Bluett, Orraond, Parker, C, Parata, O'Neill, Shepheri, T. L., Tribe, Kelly, Jackson, Vogel, O'Rorke, Keeves, M'Gksban, Carrington, Peacock, Creighton, Shephard J., Hunter, M'Grillivray, Henderson. Noes, 35. — White, Ingles, Brown, J. C, Murray, Bunny, Buckland, Williamson, Rolleston, Thomson, Clark, Calder, O'Conor, Collins, Gillies, Sheehan, Johnston, k. Richardson, Stafford, Bradshaw, Bryce, Wood, Karaitiana, Kenny, Fitzherbert, G. D. Parker, Curtis, Wilson, J. C, Wakefield,Munr->, M'Leod, Brandon, Hallenstein, Reid, Swauson, Sir D. Monro. Pairs — Ayes : Harrison, Tolmie. Noes : Mervyn, Webster.