PARLIAMENTARY

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2347, 15 July 1886, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

(United Press As3ooia,tion. ) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Before tho next order of the day was called on Mr Peacock rose to make a personal explanation regarding the report of the District Railway Purchase Committee. He Baid this was neoessary because injurious sentences had been circulated about him m connection with it. He emphatically denied that he used his-influence in favor of last years Act. The Rotorua Company wished to sell their debenture!, bub bid do idea that Government woujd buy them. Mr Steward did not disolose the nam* of his principal, and they had an idea the debentures might be bought privately ■ Had he supposed his name would have been mentioned in this way he would have more clearly explained bit position while giving evidence. He read a telegram from the Chairman of the oompany stating that Mr Peacock, had bean averse to the employment of Mr Steward until the company had first endeavored to sell the debentures itself. He hoped he had shown tho house there was no grounds for suspicion against him. Mr. Steward said his honour was so involved in this matter, that he claimed the same courteßy from the House to make a personal explanation. He was utterly astounded when the report was brought up, He was asked to take up the sale of the Waimate debentures as a pure matter of business, and at the time he had not the remotest idea that the Government would ever appear on the scene. It was not until he had been negotiating with the Bank of New Zealand and the Government Insurance Association that Sir Julius Vogel offered to buy the debentures on behalf of the Government. He emphatically denied he had any pecuniary interest in the passing ef the District Railways Purchasing Act, and difficult as to was to prove, a negative, he fortunately could do bo. He. read a, telegram frem the Secretary to the Waimate Oompany stating that it wag not till after the Act had been passed,' Mr Stewart was asked to sell the debentures. The reason was" that it was only then it was found interest was not payable in the colony. He'also mentioned other circumstances of family matters in support of his position. He domed that tho Waimate line was restored to the schedule of the Bill at an early hour in the morning. The time actually was a few minutes past eleven in the evening, and over fifty, members voted, so that it was not a thin house. He defended hie action ui that respect as being in the interests of his constituents, and insisted that the bargain was a good one for both parties. .He, believed that the judgment of some' members of the Committee had'been warped on this enquiry by their party feelings against other, people. Ho had; not, as he had Baid, chosen the Committee" himself; he had only asked that the member for R&ngitikei might have.a place in it He explained the statement in his letter to Campbell that he had. influence! in two different quarjtersjto mean ,tjhe. Insurance Association, apd the &i»kj,,of New Zialand, with #gm.he)iai,been;negotiating. 'lt was not,till, Bixteenydays after this letter was written that he' knew * tho Government wanted to purchase, V all, With regard.to the Commife.dednotion from the evidence of Mr Peaooolti he said it was direofcly contrary I6 l4 tliat gentleman's ; evidence.. le. appealed • to the •House'to hie ease free from fiarty consideration.- His own oonsoience acquitted him of any blamelhthVmatter. It was a fbutoharge to bring against any man, unless supported'by indubitable evidence, ' ' , ' The Premier said as Chairman of the Committee he had nbfcriien tb'-'mdve the adeption of the report he did n'o'tllki to «ee the gutter drop without 1 further dis-

had behaved in a straight jaiHr, and that no charge.lay.against ewwitn or the member at first thought there was a necessS for au enquiry, bub 'tho' oxpiaWicfl given showed neithw ffentiemaii had aSBd in a ,way : uiititf.mg ; tM 'honor and ftnity of the.House.. It,wiis.ho,woVerdeßbte to prevent such'ohargei bung-possfle, and in; order, that theirMfe of'thffleaibere of the Ho'uisa defied more 'ftleavly.-hft there was- no cornipfriiotivroMfce. part ■of,,.Major'. Steward.. whoH,'Potion in 'relation'.-to"'trie ; matter.' ill ■ quee.tion..., .has. ..been, open' ;«nd •straight for ward, Jthir H to express it* opinion thafc mombers of Legislature should not act as. paid agents in or receive any ■ remuneration! for negotiating any transaction in which the Government ut directly or indirectly a party, either as buyer or seller. The motion, was. .carried without opposition, and theyinattM then dropped '.'..;' .

LEGISLATIVE COOCJL, . Mr Menses, presented- ,&■...petition against,-the Act. The' Civil Service Referral wagjead a first time. ':The NewmarketßesJfe .Bill and Wyndham Show Ground Bilfivare read a i second time.: The Deatithts persons Bill I and!!Gißbp'nie;Pnsl)r^i'Biilfee read a Bill-was .Committee a number of amendments' .agreed to, and ' the Bill •was.ioported'.aff;"amended. Harbor Act Amendment Juilf wis further considered in, Coriiniittee Council adjourned atlvno'clfiißjll next k- -' ■■ '" ■'■ '■■■ : : : 'JT '■