YESTERDAY AFTERNOON'S SITTING. Wellington, Yesterday. The House met at 2.30.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1275, 31 August 1880, Page 3

YESTERDAY AFTERNOON'S SITTING. Wellington, Yesterday. The House met at 2.30.

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Iv replying to questions put it was stated that the Government would during the recess consider the propriety of amending the Bankruptcy Bill, so as to embody the recommendation of the joint committee. As bankruptcy is it would not interfere with the revenue. — The Government would consider the propriety of re-arranging the Customs Regulations, so as to cover weight of the smallest legal package of tooacco which can be taken out of bond to be reduced from 60 lbs. to 30 lbs, so as to meet the requirements of small dealers, such re-arrange-ment to include the reduction of legal packages of cigars to 24 lbs., or 2500 oigars. — Tliq Government would consider during the recess, and mofct 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 grains. Sir George Grey gave notice that he would move early next session, "That Government having an interest in any block of land 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 entering into such arrangements as in the case of the Patetere block through j£wo members of this House acting as paid agents of an association are corruptly bestowing an 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, while betraying a public trust imperilling the independence of this House." Mr Beetham gave notice that next session he would move, "That the previous Government be censured for the payment of the sum of £300 to ftjr.Rees as reported by the Public Audit Committeer" Mr Sheehan reprobated the conduct of members in bringing down a motion of this kind, more especially if it reflected upon the conduct of members who had no chance of freeing themselves from the imputations made against them. The motion re Patetere Gould have been brought down earlier in the session so as to have it disposed of during the present session. His own connection with the Patetere block was easily explained. Government having intimated their intention of not proceeding with the purchase of these blocks, he was then engaged in his profession as a barrister to complete the purchase of Patetere on behalf of olients, otherwise he was in no way interested in the transaction. Sir George Grey said he could not i bring the motion earlier iv the session, in

consequence of the papers not having j been brought down until lately. Mr Fox spoke in support of the motion, aud Mr Turnbull and Mr Montgomery, against it. 1' " * Mr'Whitaker said he was\one of the members whose conduct -was impugned by the motion. His connection withjbhe purchase of the block wris that of a barrister acting in the interests of his, client: nothing more. Mr Beetham said he had Veen induced to table his moso.n. to counteract the effects of the on©, tabled by George Grey. | < ' Mr Hall said that while he did not 1 think any alteration would be made in the absence of hqn colleague, the Native Minister, the Pajjetera block question would be further considered. Sir George Grey, said— after what the Premier said — he would withdraw the notice of motion. V, ' ; ' Mr Sheehan complained, strongly of Sir< George Grey's action towards him in the matter, and the question dropped. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m.