HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1923, 1 November 1884, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THURSDAY. Sir Julius Vogel moved his resolution re District Railways. The resolution has already beeen published. Major Atkinson supported the principle of the scheme, but suggested that the resolution be amended so as to pi o vide that no agreement respecting the purchase of the railways should have effect until ladified by Parliament. The Government declined to accept this, and after some further discussion, the following amendment, moved by the Premier, was carried :—" That the Government be requested to come to the be'-t arrangement they can with the District Railway Companies, with the \ iew of the acquisition of the lines- by the colony, such anangement being subject to the ratification of Pailianient." The Premier promised that all information connected with the lines should be laid before Parliament next session. Sir George Giey strongly opposed the whole scheme, as also did Messrs Bryce, Wakefield, Moss and Hur-thou.se, but the Premier's amendment was carried by 49 to 24. In Committee on the Beetroot Sugar Bill, a motion by Mr Hnrsthouse to strike out clau-e 2, providing for a bonus of id ber lb for the first thousaud tons of sugar, was lost by 51) to 11. Sevet.il other propo.sed amendments shared a like fate.

FRIDAY. The House met at 2.30 p.m. Mr Rolleyton moved the adjournment of the House to make a personal explanation of the chargee-. previously made against him with reference to the Westport Colliery Company. He went at some length into the whole question of the lease granted to the company, and he contended tn.it his action as Minister for Lands was perfectly justifiable, and within the law. The Colonial Treasurer had unworthily accused him of acting in the matter to benefit a colleague in the Ministry, but he altogether repelled the accusation, and he had done nothing whatever to regret in his action. The whole matter had been laid before ParliamAiit in previous sessions. Sir J. Vogel said he did not in the least regret what he had said previously in regard to this matter. The member for Geraldine had frequently made most unwarrantable charges against him, but he should like to know what public sei vices the member for Geraldine has ever rendered He was a distinguished member of the great Barnacle family, and always prophesied ruin when he himself was not in power. As to his accusation that he (Sir J. Voprel) had come back to New Zealand merely to take office, the idea was absurd in hi* piesent state of health, as he did not know whether he would live another year or not. He had simply taken office because of the condition of the countiy, which had been brought about by Mr Rolleston and his friends. Already public confidence was restored through his taking office. He had no desire whatever to hold office, and he was holding it now at great personal sacrifice. Mr Stout said all he had charged the late Minister of lands with doing was having perpetrated an illegal action for which he should have obtained tho sanction of Parliament. Major Atkinson denied that confidence was restored through the fact of Sir J. Vogel having taken office. On the contrary, the action the Treasurer was taking at present would sink the colony into difficulty and disaster. He wainily deHFended his late colleague, and eaid he consideied the imputations most unworthy and unjustifiable. Mr Bryce also warmly eulogised Mr Rolleston s services as Minister for Lands. He said that although he never expected to take office aga ; n in New Zealand, he should always remember with pleasure the fact that he had been associated in the late Government with the member for Geraldine. Mr Gillies defended Mr Rolleston's action. Messrs J. C. Brown and Seddon strongly condemned the latter, stating that Mr Rolleston led to the downfall of the late Ministry through his action as Minister of Mines. Mr Rolleston briefly replied, .and withdrew the motion for adjournment.