New South Wales Politics.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume II, Issue 24, 22 July 1899, Page 3

New South Wales Politics.

In the debate on the Address in Reply Mr Norton made a fierce attack on the Premier's 'action in connection with the negotiations with the Batik of "New Zealand, over the purchase of the Rosehill railway for £22,500,' when Parliament authorised £20,000. Mr Norton alleged/ from information received from a discharged bank official that Mr Reid had received accomodation from the bank to the Went of £2000, the only security being a life policy for £100, /with bo surrender value. "He charged the Premier with corran-

tion in this matter as well as in connection with the transactions relating to the sale of a colliery, another of the Bank of New Zealand's -properties. Mr Norton stated that he was prepared to place copies of letters and shorthand note 3 relating to the whole business, at the disposal of the J-louse. Mr Reid, replying with 'strong emotion, said that Mr Norton's statements wore infamous lies. He admitted that he had an account at the bank which was transferred to it as an outside institution* jn preference to .dealing with a bank with a local l directorate. He also admitted that he had overdrawn his account, but he had yet to learn that this was a criminal proceeding. When the matters mentioned came up he candidly informed the Cabinet of his financial relations with the bank, so that there should' be no suspicion in -the matter in coming to.vteVms with the bank. He had the report of the Railway Commissioners dated

1896 advising the purchase ( at £25,000, and said that the final negotiations were conducted by the Railway Commissioners and representatives of the bank.