PARLIAMENT.

Inangahua Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1293, 5 September 1883, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, 4. In the House yesterday the Speaker read a memorandum from the Controller, who directed attention to the payment of £18,000 by the New Plymouth Harbor Board to the credit of the Minister of Public Works, the Government being responsible for the disposal of the sum, the memo went on to say that the sum mentioned has not been paid into the Public Account, nor had it been accounted for by the officer in whose possession it had been placed, while a memo that had been addressed by the Audit Officer to the Treasur y Department had received no reply. Mr Fitzgerald, therefore, felt it his duty to report the matter to the House. Mr Holmes asked the Minister of Public Works to state the position in which the £18,000 stood, Mr Johnstone said he had placed it on the Supplementary Estimate to be =• referred to the board, but having since learned that the money had been paid to the credit of the Minister of Public Works, and not to the credit of the Colony, he proposed to pay it to the Harbor Board himself, and thus end the matter. (Laughter). Mr Turnbull thought the Government did their business in a very slipshod way, in fact, that showed they were capable of nothing but a succession of tricks. He moved the adjournment of the House till Wednesday, at half-past 6, to enable the Government to put their business in order. Major Harris sucouded the motion. After some discussion this motion was withdrawn, and it was agreed that the Controller's recommendation should be referred to the Public Accounts Committee to report on forthwith. During the discussion Sir George Grey launched forth against the Government for having, as he alleged, administered Native lands in such a way as to benefit their friends. The Treasurer declined to take any notice of Sir George Grey's charges of corruption, which were absolutely worthless. If the hon. gentleman would make direct and specific charges, naming persons, and what had been done, then he could have an enquiry. Sir George Grey said he would make this specific charge that the Executive Government had given facilities to their friends. (Cries of name). Their names were in returns that had been laid on the table The son of the Premier had had the right of pre-emption taken off in his favor. A hon. member sitting in front of him had had it taken off in his favor, and a member in the firm of Win taker and Russell was placed in the same position. He was prepared to prove this, which was done clandestinely, and privately. The Colonial Treasurer : Has it been done contrary to law ?

Sir George Grey : It was done againstpublic justice and equity, and was a species of favoritism which ought not to exist. It was an unworthy act, and against the honor of that House. The matter then dropped. This afternoon the Dargaville Enquiry Committee brought tip their report. . They find that the charges of political -corruption against the Premier and Treasurer, are entirely without foundation. The Report is to be printed, and will be considered to-morrow.