PARLIAMENTARY.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXII, Issue 42772, 31 August 1905, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[By Telegraph.—Press Association.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wellington, This Day. The Legislative Council devoted the afternoon to the consideration of local Bills. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Mr Speaker read the report of the Auditor-General on the enquiry into the alleged Seddon voucher. The Auditor-General reported that during the whole period of Captain Seddon’s employment in the public service, no voucher was ever issued and passed through the Treasury for payment to him fox organisation or re organisation of defence stores, and that no such voucher exists and that no such payment was ever made. Mr Seddon moved that the report aid evidence lie on the table and be printed, and that a consideration of same be fixed for the next sitting. During the day Mr Taylor gave notice to move the following amendment :— f ‘ln view of the failure of the private enquiry held by the Auditoi-General under a restricted order < f reference designed by the Premier, to discover voucher which Messrs Larcombe, West, Willis, and

Lundon, four reputable civil servants in Christchurch Post Office swear they handled, examined, and discussed, this House is of opinion that the present unsatisfactory position of the question in dispute should be met by the imme diate appointment of a public enquiry with full power to investigate and call for evidence upon oath, order the production of persons and papers and parties concerned, or permit Council representing them to appear. Mr Seddon asked members by acclamation to receive the glad welcome tidings of peace between Russia and Japan. L aid applause came from all par's of the House. Then followed the Premier’s remarks on the Maori Land 0 mncil Bill read the second time on the voices and referred to the native affairs p.mmittee, {