PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3644, 31 August 1880, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Pee Pbess Association.)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Monday. The House resumed at 2.30 to day. la replying to questions put it was stated that Government would, during the recess, consider the propriety, of amending the Bankruptcy Bill, so as to embody the recommendations of the joint committee on bankruptcy. Government would consider during the recess, and most probably deal with the question next session, so as to give effect to the recommendation of the agricultural committee that, excepting importations from Fiji, the same duty should be imposed upon imported maize as is imposed on other imported graius. £, Sir Geo. Grey gate notice that he would move early next session that Government having an interest in any block ofland such becomes Crown lands, so that Government can only dispose of the public interest in it by allowing the public openly to compete for the same; that Government eutering into such arrangement as in the case of the Patetere block, through two members of this House acting as paid agents of one Association, are corruptly bestowing tin interest equivalent to a vast sum of . money upon persons, some of whom there is reason to believe have illegally dealt with public works, the Government is thus, whilst betraying a public trust, imperilling the > independence of this House. Mr Beethara gave notice that next session he would move that the previous Government be censured for the payment of the sum of £300 to Mr Wees as reported by the Public Audit Committee. PATETEBE. Mr Sheehan regretted the conduct of members bringing down motions of this kind, more especially when it reflected upon the conduct if members who bad no chance of freeing themselves from the imputations made against them. The motion re Patetere could have been brought down earlier in the'session,_so m^ to have it disposed of during the present session. His own connection with the Patetere JWock was easily explained. Goyftnrinent having intimated their 'intended of not proceeding with the purohase of these blocks, he was then engaged in his profession as a barrister to complete the purchase of Patetere on betfalf of clients, otherwise he was in no way interested in the transaction. Sir George Grey said he could not bring the motion earlier in the session in consequence of the papers not having been brought down until lately. Sir Wm. Fox spoke in support of the motion, and Mr Turnbull and Mr Montgomery against it. Mr Whitaker said he was one of the member* whose conduct was impugned by the motion. His connection with the purchase of a block was that of a barrister, acting in the interests of his clients, and nothing more. Mr Beetnam said ho had been induced to table his niotiouto counteract th»

effects of the one tabled by Sir George Grey.

Hon. .T. Hall said that while he did not think any alteration would be made in the absence of his colleague, the Native Minister, the Patetere Block question would be further postponed. Sir Geo. Grey said that after what the Premier had said he would withdraw the motion. Mr Sheehan complained strongly of Sir George Grey's action towards him in the matter, and the question dropped. THE BAILWAY CONBTBUOTIOK ACT. Hon. Mr Oliver moved the second reading of the Railway Construction Act, 1880.

Mr Murray moved as an amendment that it is inexpedient to construct lines such as those indicated by the schedule at the cost of the colony.