POLITICAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XII, Issue 2450, 2 September 1891, Page 3

POLITICAL.

(FAQS! OUR PARLIAMENTARY CORREk FONDENT.,I

Wellington, August 31. THE OFFOSITION. There was another Opposition caucus this morning. Members are very reticent, but I believe the determination was arrived at to support Sir George Grey's proposal. There is liftle hope of this being agreed to by the House. THE LAND BILL. As the discussion on clause 163 m Committee was ot more than ordinary interest, I send you a report. On clause 103, providing that small runs shall be submitted to auction, Mr Mackintosh moved an amendment to the effect that "lot" be substituted for " auction." Auction was only applicable to lands of spechl value, and these runs were not. Unless the Minister struck out "auction" very little would be done m the way of settlement. Dummyism would be rife. The land should be dealt with on the same day, the implications to be disposed by ballot or lot. The effect of auction m Victoria was so disastrous that it had to be abolished. The auction system had caused the .Revaluation Eill to be passed. Down m the south j» great deal of land was put up and runup to fictitious values. There was great readiness on the part of people to run to auctions, but the values would go up so high that it would be necessary to have a new Ec-valuation Bill. The runs should be fairly and justly valued, and a fair rental obtained. If times were dull, the runs would not fetch their proper value. If times were good, they would fetch fictitious values. These runs were of ordinary quality, and auction would un them up tv high, and this would keep off desirable settlers. Owners of large properties found the auction system was not desirable. The best tenants were those who took land at a fair rental. He would move chat " ballot" be substituted for "auction." . The Minister said he would leave it to the House to decide this. Mr Rolleston hoped the Minister would not give way. He believed the ballot system would induce dummyism, and he Srotested against it, and hoped the linister would stick to his Bill. Mr T. K. McDonald spoke to a similar effect. He hoped the Bill would not be subjected to all sorfa of winds. The ballot had given rise to dummyism. Mr Macintosh, m a tone of *'Ah you know nothing about it." Mr Valentine was an advocate of the ballot. He endorsed the opinions of Mr Macintosh, and hoped the House would agree to the ballot. Mr Duncan supported the ballot system and verified the statements of the member for Wallace. He would even apply the ballot principle to the large runs. ' Mr C. H. Mills supported the amendment. He would even prefer tender to auction. The amendment was carried on the voices. The Minister asked that the clause be postponed, but this was disallowed, and the clause was further discussed. Mr Seddon suggested that it be left to the district Land Boards to choose auction or ballot. Mr Mackintosh objected to tendering as only another form of auction. The amendment was agreed to, and the clause further discussed by committee. THE BRYCK AFFAIR. The whole afternoon was occupied by a discussion upon the Bryce affair. Mr Rees set the ball rolling by asking the Premier, without notice, "whether on the withdrawal of the Avords the Premier would give facilities for discussion and expunge the record from the journals of the House V The Premier's reply was most conciliatory. Mr Snobie MacKeime made a carefully prepared and elaborate speech, quoting numerous authorities, with the view of showing that Mr Bryce only really committed the technical offence alleged. He was frequently interrupted, and subsequently replied to, by Mr Seddon, who gave a clear, circumstantial account of the proceedings of Thursday night, and upheld the decision. A good deal of irregular discussion followed, after which the Speaker ruled upholding the decision already given, and showing that Mt Bryce had clearly committed the breach of discipline, and must show submission. The ruling was remarkably clear, and the Opposition had no reply. Mr Rolleston said finally, he would appeal to the Premier to allow the whole affair to be expunged ; but the tokens of dissent were so loud and numerous thac it was clearly not the will of the House that this should be done. Mr Rolleston said it was now his duty to place m the hands of the Speaker a communication, and handed up a letter which the Speaker read. It was ilv Bryce's resignation of his seat. The reading of this was followed by silence. After the lapse of a few minutes, the House resolved that the Speaker issue his writ forthwith for Waikato. Mr Rolleston moved that the record of the proceedings be expunged, but as the proposal was not favorably 1 received Mr Ballance moved at 4.30 the adjournment of the House. The House adjourned, and a caucus of the .Government party was held forthwith, at which it was resolved, at 7.30, to reject Mr Rolleston's amendment without; discussion. After dinner the Premier declined to accept Mr Rolleston's amendment, which came too late. He believed had a short adjournment taken place when he sugr j»ested, and the good.offices of the Speaker beenacc^ptedas mediator, Mr Bryce would have reconsidered the position. Sir John Hall and others spoke. Mr Scobie MacKenzie made an impassioned speech ehlogising Mr Bryce and stigmatising Governmentas tyrranical, winding up with a declaration that the name of liberty was being forgotten m the land. Mr Rees put the matter m nutshell. The amendment was lost by eight votes. The House then went into committee on the Land Bill. THE BKYCE AFFAIR. The Bryce affair is half forgotten. His own friends admit that the Speaker's ruling was just and marked by good taste and feeling. The precipitancy of Mr Bryce's secession is regretted, but the regret is of a languid character, except among Mr Bryce's personal friends.