GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2528, 13 July 1893, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. [ The Council met at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday. women's franchise. Mr Oliver presented a petition, signed by 25,496 women, in favor of the franchise being granted to women. Petitioners also expressed the hope that they would be enabled to vote at the next general election. The Colonial Secretary being too unwell to be present, the Council adjourned till next day. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The Housa met at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday. CADMAN V. EBBS. The Premier laid on the table a copy of the Chief Justice's notes on the late libel case Cadmau v. Pvees. Mr Cadman moved that the notes be printed. He understood that Mr Rees did not intend moving any further in the matter. That being so, he now challenged Mr Rees to resign his seat in the House, and he (Mr Cadman) would resign his and contest the City of Auckland with him. They would then have the verdict of thirty thousand people to decide the matter. Mr Rees instantly accepted the challenge, and both members thereupon, amidst great cheers, signed the papers resigning their respective seats.

Mr W. Smith stated that he would take the opportunity of vindicating himself in regard to the serious charges made against him by Mr Rees in the public Press and in other channels.

A considerable amount of discussion ensued, during whigh Mr Cadman said that what he had done he had done on his own responsibility, and without any '•'■"tau.Ha.tion with the Government. " Mr Cadmaii'? motion for printing the notes was agreed to on the voice/3. Mr W. C. Smith moved the adjournment of the Hodse, and referred at length to tfre charges against him by Mr Rees. In the flotiffljo $ W WMVli* Jw made a very strong persona), utjiapjj: pn Mr Rges, especially his connection with native j.an4 transactions. Mr Smith had not concluded hip speech when the House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. The House resinned at 7.30 p.m. INTBKCUPTING SUPPLY. On the motion that tho House go into Committee of Supply, Mr Roes replied to the speech made by Mr Smith before the dinner adjournment respecting the charge made against hi™ by Mr Smith as to trafficking in native lands. Mr Rees denied that he had eyer purchased any native lands for himself. Ho said that he had ajjtod frequently as agent for the natiy.?s, but had never made a single shilling for himself over the transaction. Alluding to his resignation, Mr Bees said that he could not, of course, expect tho Opposition to help him in the coming election, as he differed from them on several important points of policy, but he asserted that if- the Government or the members of the Min ; sterial party attempted to. eserpise any influence against him in Auckland during the election they would pledge themselves up to the hilt to all that had been done by tho late Native Minister and his partner.

Mr Rolleston regretted that Ministers had not seen fit to make a statement on thi3 matter. Ho alleged that the honor of the House would never be vindicated until there had been a strict and impartial enquiry into the whole of the circumstances of the case. The Premier pointed out that nothing was charged against Mr C'adman that was contrary to law. As for the appointment of a Committee, he would ask who were to formulate the charges that were to go to the Committee 1 The position of Mr Cadmau and Mr Rees should not be prejudiced by either the Gouernment or the Opposition, and they should have a fair trial before their constituents. Mr Scobie Mackenzie, Mr Fisher, Mr Buckland, Mr Taylor, and Mr Mitchell alfo spoke. Mr Earnshaw Ihought that Mr Smith, as the third party, should also resign his seat. The motion for the adjournment of the House was lost. The Speaker then read the resignations of Mr Cadman and Mr W. Bees, and declared the seats of Thames and City of Auckland vacant. THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT. Mr Fish opened the debate on the Financial Statement. Mr Buick moved the adjournment of the debate. The motion was agreed to, and the House at 1 a.m.