HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WEDNESDAY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2187, 15 July 1886, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WEDNESDAY.

The Hou-c met :it 2., 50 p.m. The, K.istiimlWotO.M-t R.-iilw.iy Construction Act Amendment I »ill was received from the Legislative Council with one verbal amendment, wliu-h was agreed to. Major Atkinson asked whether the Premier would state definitely when the discussion on the Public Works Statement and the Representation question would take place. Sir IJ. Stout said the Loan Bill would piobably be brought down on Monday or Tuesday .next and the Public Works discussion could then take place. He would give an oppoitunity fordi>cu«»ingtheßeproMentation question <>n Friday. The Government LoanH to Local Bodies Bill was reported from committee, read a third time and passed. Before the next order of the day whs culled on, Mr Peacock rose to make a personal explanation regarding the report of the Di«trict Railways Purchase Committee. He said that it was nccess.it y bocuiso injurious statements had been circulated i about him in connection with it. He em uhatically denied that he used his influence in favour of last year's Act. The Rotorua Company wished to sell their debenture.-*, but had no idea that Government would buy them. Mr Steward did not disclose the name of his pi incipal, and they had an idea th« debentures might ua bouirht privately. Had he supposed his name would have been mentioned in this way, ho would have more clearly explained his position when giving evidence. He read a telegram fio:n the chairman of the company, showing that Mr Peacock had l>cen averse to the employment of Mr Steward until the company had tir>t endeavoured to sell the debentures itself. He hoped he had shown the House there w.is no ground for suspicions against him. Mr Steward said his honour was involved in this matter, and he claimed the s.ttne courtesy from the House to make a personal explanation. He was utterly astonished when the report was brought up. He was asked to take up the «ale «f the Waimate debentures as a pure matter j of business, and at the time had not the remotest idea that Government would ever appear on the same .scene. It was not till he had been negotiating with the Bank of New Zealand, and the Government Insurance Association that Sir J. V')pel offered to buy the debentures on behalf of the Gov ci nme.tit. He euiphat ically denied he had any pecuniary interest in the passing of the District Railways Purchasing Act, and difficult as it was to prove a negative, he foitunately could do so. He read a telegram from the secietary to the Waimate Company, stating that it was not till after the Act had p.is.sed Mr Steward was asked to the debentures. His own conscience, acquitted him of any blame in the matter. It was a foul charge to bring against any man unless supported by indubitable evidence. The Premier said as the Chairman of the Committee had not ii*en to mo\e the adoption ho did not like to see the matter drop without further discussion. He con.sidered that Mr Steward had behaved in a sLraightf >i\vaid manner, and that no charge lay against either him or the member for Newton. He hid at fiist thought there was npce.s.sity for an enquiry, but the explanations given showed that neither gentleman had "acted in any »vay unfitting the honour and dignity of the House. It was, however, desiiable to prevent such charges being possible, and in older that the poHtio'i of members of the House might be defined mom clearly he mo\ed " That while it appeirs there wa> no corrupt motive on the part of Mr Steward who^e action in relation to the matter in question lias been open and straightforward this House desite* to expr-'ss itself of opinion th.it membets of tho Legislature should not act as paid agents in, or receive any remuneration for negotiating any tiansaction in which Government is directly or indirectly a party, either as buvei or «cller.'' Tin' motion w.is c.trned without opposition ami the matter then dropped. The Fisheries Consei\ation Act Amendment Bill was lead a second time, by 3S to 1!>, after some opposition fiom Mr Joyce. Mr Tole moved the second reading °f the First Offendei s Probation Bill. The debate was interrupted by the r>.3o. Adjournment. On leMiming Mr T>>le commended the Bill to the attention of the inemherM as an o.\j a ituent in the direction of reform. After a few remarks from various speakers, chiefly in support of the measure, the second redding was carried on the voice*. Mr Richardson moved the second reading of The Workmen's Wages Act, ISS4, Kxtension Bill, the object of which was to destroy the"truck"s)\steni, and enfoice the. payment of wages in coin or bink notps to arti/atiami Lib' mrers engage J on work to be paid for by day <>r piece. After a M»mewh«t sti.rmy debate, the bill was read a second time. Sir J. Vi'gel announced that the Govern incut had ieieiv«d « cable, nig.iidintr the Exhibition, which said th it a meeting i>f the Commissioners had been held at which resolutions were parsed that the .ispeismns on tlie New Zealand court were utterly un-ju.-tifi.iblo and unfair, the court being most attractive and representative. On the motion forgoing into Committee of Supply, Mr Pearson moved that contiihutioiw for hospit.il and eh inUb'e aid should be raised by a ta\ on property without an) exemptions. (»'>veininent to collect and pay it over ; also th it (io\erumeut be requested to bring in « Bill to tins etToct. Sir J. Voerel s.iid fie G nernment could not. support «nch a pioposal. After Rome Hi-t-us««inn, Mr Whyte said the present BX'«tem wao most unfair. It would create pauperism. Mr L ike hoped the res ilution would be carried by a large u.aj-uity. (Left Sitting.)