PARLIAMENTARY.

Auckland Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2334, 8 September 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

fFUOM OUR SPECIAL REPORTEHJ

[IJY ELECTiIIO TELIiG-UAPil.]

WELLINGTON, this day

CLUIi LICENSI

Mr Swauson, yesterday, gave iritieo to move on the Local Option liill a clause to compel all Clubs to take otil a liccn.se. The Sheep and Cattle Committee committed a mistake by allowing tinu; for the report to lapse. They will gee extended time. AUCKLAND MATTEUS. Mr Williams presented a petition from llou:;i IJelce, forwarding a recomniendation re counties. Mr O'Uorko reported Uial the Committee on Private 13ills is of opinion fhat the Tha-ines Wat or Supply iiill should be treated as a Public J til I. Mr Itowa gave notice t« introduce n 'Jill on Wed.je.sday next. Mr Tolu gave notice to a .k. whether the Government received any ollicial report respecting the ou.se of Liobert Jordan. Tiie filaughter-house Committee has been extended 11 days.

The 'J'elegmph Inquiry Committee is ex tended ;; fortnight.

ONEHUNGA PUHLICAXS' FEES

Mr O'Rorke asked dlio Colonial Treasurer iriiy money received by the Governmetit ten mouths ago for public licenses has not yet been handed over to the Boroughs entitled to receive Die name. Mr O'Korke said he presumed that all the Boroughs would be treated alike ; therefore, lie made the question general. It was desirable that money should bo paid to local bodies aw soon as possible, «o that they might be able to calculate with some amount of certainty on the execution of necessary works.

The Premier ropJied that the money did not filter through the hands of the Government. He had received a letter from tliu Borough of Oueluin<*a, complaining of not lutvin^ received the funds, flc referred to the Collector of Customs, and found that tiie Borough being a new one, the Collector had paid the money to the Eden County fund. The Government had since taken steps to have the money paid over immediately.

FRAN ICING LETT^ajS. Mr Swanson asked the Government whether local bodies addressing the Government on questions affecting the public service must pre-pay their latter!?. .The correspondence often put local bodies to a great expcn.se for postage.

The Postal Conmiisioner replied that any public body may send letters free by marking " Ou public service only."

COLONEL WHITMOKE'S LETTER TO

SIR GEORGE GREY.

The letter of Colonel Whitmoro to Sir George Grey may be explained as follows : The natives offered .Sir George Grey, when Governor, to lei their runs under short leases, and ho proposed to establish a city in Taupo district. He also proposed to station a regiment of Imperial troopa in another part of Taupo district. He hoped that constant traffic between the cent-re of the country and the coast would civilise and settle the natives. An Imperial officer then on service in the colony, wrote privately to Lord Carnavon, stating that Sir George Grey would provoke a war. Earl Camavou, conrtary to official rule, received the letter and wrote to Sir George Grey forbidding the proposed scheme. This Avas one of the reasons of Sir George Grey's removal from the Governorship. When Sir George Grey proposed to transfer the proposals he hud no idea that Messrs Russell and Whitakor were interested. Me only dealt with Mr Cox and Colonel Whitmorc. The idea was nofe to obtain largo tract-- of land,but only to lease for runs and ostablisli a great inland town. HOW THE LETTERS WEBE OBTAINED. During the debate in tlic Hawke-'a Bny Lands Question, Mr Pyke, who last year was Government whip, and has hitherto been a strong supporter of the Government, commentod on the manner in which Mr Cox acted, in haring got possession of the private letters of Mr Locke. Mr Pyke said Mr Cox's excuse was that he desired to read them because lie wanted to turn up something in connection with the former- association for the purchase of native land?.. He afterwards handed those letters to the AttorneyO'Mioiul, without thtMiorririssio'.i of die writer

or the person to whom they were written. The Attorney-General had no scruples about using these private and confidential letters in the House. He regretted that he belonged to such a Parliament of New Zealand —respected once, it had now incurred contempt. There was no excuse for such a gross violation of all gentlemanly taste as this oilence. In hi.s opinion it could only be properly visited by expulsion from Parliament, expulsion from the Government benches, and expulsion from the society of gentlemen. It was a most iinpardonable offence. No gentleman would do it. The honour of the House had been outraged by reading private letters surreptitiously obtained. Mr Russell never con- ' aented to the production of the letters in the House, but as quotations had been made from them it; is only fair, right, and just that the House should have the whole of the letters before it, so that it might judge on which side was truth, and on which falsehood.

Mr Macfarlane considered tlie letters wore not private, but the property of a public association. Mi1 Gisborns, who had moved the adjournment, now wished to withdraw the amendment, tfoo Government were the only persons ■who opposed it, but as the rule is that a motion cannot be withdrawn unless all consent, permission was not grunted. Sir SwansoH .moved that Mr Locke be summoned to the bar of the House, in order to state what his wishes were in regard to the letters. A quarter of an hour was spent in raising pointß of order. The Speaker gave tiie Government a dignified rebuke when he said it was contradictory for the Government now to object to the publication of the letters when they had already quoted them.

Mr Whitaker objected to the letters being regarded us Government papers. He hail never seen them. If the lldu.se thought there had been :i mistake, let it authorise the hitters to be taken of'" the table, and placed in his hands. [Jut as Government papers, ha refused to liavc anything to do with tlieni.

Mr Fisher said'tho letters had been used by Mr Ormand to cast a slur on .Sir George drey. Someone had talked about a stench in the House, lie <lid not wondor at it. He considered the conduct of the Government scandalous. Me had heard a great deal about Provincial Institutions: but he never saw anything in Provincial Councils like that he had heard last night.

Mr Montgomery said that tho Govern nvent were responsible for the papers.

Mr Kees said that before the letters were read, he demanded them, oji Mr Lo«k's behalf, from Ministers ; and they refused to

give thoin up. The Speaker read a letter from the Hon. Henry Ltussell, protesting against, the letter's being read. The letters had been laid «n I.lks table of Us: House by the Attorney-General without his permission.

The Speaker then continued : These letters have no business cm the table of this House. They do riot belong to this House. They are no longer in possession of this House. Mr Travers said in' attached no importsince whatever to the charges against Sir George (.'.vy. The use of the letters by Mr Onnond was a gro.-w violation of conlidor.ee. Karaitnua made several attacks on Mr Ormoisd, asserting :ha( lie had acquired lands in the Forty-mile Bush by giving natives rum and sugar. He also attacked Captain Itusscll's acquisition of Here taunga. Ultimately tho House adjourned until A STINK IN THE HOUSE. Last nielli during the heat of debate many honorable members were 6een holding their nostrils, and with their handkercliiff.-:' to their nose.-.. At first people thought the disgust w:is caused by Mr (Jrmoud's speech and the charges thing about generally. Yesterday the stench formed t'-.e subject of frequent reference in the debute. The Premier said he would consent'to ad jounnnent until half-pastseven, on the understanding that if that horrible stink was not removed he would move a further adjournment. An exploring party iii" messengers afterwards discovered that the stink was caused by an escape of g;is under tho llonr of the Mouse. But this is nothing to <!::• escape of ;::ts above th..- I'oor of tin: ILo'.ist; ; and the worst ot it is, the public: has to pay for IkiUi kinds of gas. Sill GEORGE GREY'S REPLY. After the adjournment Sir George Grey replied, ily solicitai ions ho liail obtained a prumi.se from the Home Government of an elective Upper House. A change of Government U»ok place at home, and they threw the proposals overboard. Lie had to bear the odium of the proposal for a long time, but subsequently list! facts betaine known, and t'ne odium was removed. The moineuthe prevented the supply i»i" arms and ammunition to the natives, h'.; waai subjected to [obloquy. Soon after he left, tho restriction was taken oiF. The Governor in the colony had to stand between races with arms in their hands, and to do justice, and he could hardly escape the accusation of partiality, lie cited as an example of such accusations, letters which ho had received in consequence of his advocacy of a modification in the Education Bill. He read the following : -" Respected Sir,— Many of your admirers and confidential supporters hoped from your long experience you would not be induced to be the tool and agent to serve liomo. For vrhet'e Liome thrives, there has always been a blight up«n the path of the country, i

tiign myself, Patiuot." lie defended himself from the charges made by Mr Ormond that resolutions had been passed by Messrs Weld, Clifford, and Pox, accusing him (Sir George Grey) of falsehood. .Those accusations had never hurt him. lie was one of those whom providence had blessed since he entered the public service with the faculty of seeing the approval of his actions in the eyes of the people. It" Messrs Weld, Clifton, and Fox had left on record resolutions against him he wjls not sorry. He pitied them ;he had experienced many acts of kindness from Messrs Weld and Clifford since, and f&it sure that if they knew those resolutions were in existence they would regret it.

When the Hoiwe resumed last night the odours of carbolic acid wore frightfully strong, and completely killed the stench. Sir George Grey delivered a quiet, gentleinnuly speech. Me appeared to speak with considerable emotion —slowly, and occasionally painfully. The speech was calculated to mouse sympathy, and appeal to the liner feelings, fie denied complicity with the Taupo laud ring for personal objects. Why endeavour to be a partner in 300,000 acres when lie could have got all himself ? Mr Ownond's statement was palpably false. He read Colonel Whituiore's letter amidst loud cheers. [The letter was published in bust night's Sstae.] lie never had purchased one acre of native land in the colony. With reference to his election defeat in England, lie said he could have been elected for Nottingham if ho had been willing to sink principles. Influences iwere used against him in the eleotion for France. Mr Ormond had said that Mr lieen was returned to do his (Sir Georga Grey's) dirty work. What had the thousand electors of City East with their families, done to deserve Mr Onnoud's insults. Mr Ormond luid taunted Mr Rees that he wits not a wealthy man—was that au argument worthy of a A Sinister of the Crown? It was lowminded. Only a fow days ago, Mr iieos, aupposing that hi.*, independent course hail alienated .some of his (Sir G. Grey's) supporters, offered to state in the iiimsG that under no circumstances woul.l he accept office. Mayy people advised Mr Rees to retire from politics, arid make money by his profession, but he refused. When ministers weiv accused in the House of light crimes and misdemeanours, Ministers taunted their accusers with poverty. Ministers were guilty of crimes which wrong their fellow men. Ho related a story of Grindle when sent by 2dv Ormond to make a native drunk to get him to sign

a deed. Both got too drunk to transact the business. The Government were endeavouring to set great laud owners against him. He did not oppose land lawfully acquired. He ripped up the case of Paora, of Hawke's Bay. He was not afraid of inquiry into the charges against him. Let the House grant it if they thought proper. (Great cheering.) Mr Sutton defended the Hawke's Bay land transaction. Ho traversed the same ground as Mr Ormond. Mr Stout accused Captain Holt of importing political bias against Sir George Grey into Press Agency telegrams. Ministerial organs were instigated to abuse Sir George Grey. They contained ORe-sided reports. Colonel Balnea vis'name was only mentioned as Sir George Grey's agent when dead, and he had no opportunity of contradicting. Colonel Whitmore's letter showed that the Attorney-General waa a party to the robbing of hi* fellowmen. Sir George Grey had no complicity.

The Attorney-General: I contradict it.

Mr Wakefield "order."

The Attorney-General: If the lion, member for Gerakline cannot behave himself he should be taught.

Mr Wakefield said that the continual unseemly interruptions of the AttorneyGeneral prevented members healing.

Mr Stout continued : When Sir George Grey read Colonel Whitmore's letter, why did not Mr Ormond confess lie was mis-in-formed ? Mr Ormond: I was not, Mr Stout : Then you charge Colonel Whitmo-re with falsehood. Mr Ormond : I do not. Mr Stout : Then you admit the letter true. Mr Ormond : No ; I don't. (Loud laughter.) Mr Stout continued : He quoted from the report of the ITeretaunga Commission. Manama was paid principally in grog. A person named F. Sutton lighted a lamp in a buggy, which a chief drove in broad daylight. ' Mr Sutton : £1,400 cash was paid on account of the purchase. .Mr Stout : i was not previously aware that the hon. member was the Sutton referred to. (Great laughter.) tie (Mr Stout) waa not addressing the House. It was no use. It was all arranged in the lobbies. tie was speaking to the great mass of tha people outside. He defended Sir George Grey. Mr Seymour moved an amendment: " That a committee be appointed to inquire irAo the allegationsagaiustSir George Grey and Mr Ormond!; also, the alleged iniproprities in law proceedings. Mr Stout contended the amendment was out of order. The Speaker ruled he was in order. Mr Stout respectfully called attention to rule 110. The Speaker said Mr Stout was /ijjht. The amendment was out of order. M r Seymour disappeared into the library, and the friendly move was spoiled. Mr Ormond said the House was under a misconception. Mr Itecs : It was not the House, but the member for Clive. The Speaker called Mr Re s to order. Mil WHITAKEK'S VINDICATION. Mr Whitaker moved another amendment, almost precisely similar to Mr Seymour's, but couched ho as to be in order. Lie went on to shew that lie was never connected with the alleged land ring in Hawke's ; Hay. He slated Mr Kces. He was refer--1 ving to Mr Ormonds' statement about Mr Rees running away from West Coast creditors, when Mr Rees jumped up and emphatically denied it. DISORDERLY SCENE. A .scene or the wildest disorder ensued. i Both Mr Rees and Mr Whitaker used strong language. Mr itecs dared Mr Whitaker to use the language outside. Roth were called to order, and apologised. Scores of points of order were raised, sometimes several members rose together. The scene was worse than in any Road Board meeting. Mr Gisbornc protested against the private circumstances of members being dragged on the iloor of the House. The Speaker said such references were highly irregular, highly unparliamentary, and highly ungentlemanly. Mr Whitaker continued. Rle shewed that he had been subjected to strong personal attacks from the Opposition. Mr Whitaker, after a long burst of eloquence, got breathless, and heaved a deep sigh. Mr Rees laughed immoderately. Mr Whitaker : "I am glad to hear Mr ltees laugh when I sigh." Mr ilce^, interrogatively': ''Hearing badly, I sigh ?" Mr Whitaker severely slated Mr Kees, as having an unruly tongue. Mr Wakefield followed, in a scathing attack on the Ministry. He spoke of the " drifting and shifting of this miserable Ministry of shreds and tatters." He compared Captain Russell to tlie little wooden soldier who popped up whenever the Government bull's-eye was hit by the Opposition. He repeated choice selections from the strong language used by Mr Ormond, "liars,"' ''cowards," '•traitors/ " Parliament insulted and outraged." The House divided nearly at one o'clock, on Mr Whitaker's amendment. Ayes, twenty-live ; Noes, twenty-six. DIVISION LIST. The division list on Mr Whitaker's amendment, was as follows : —Ayes, 25 : Atkinson, Bowen, Fitzroy. Gibbes, Henry (teller), Hunter, Hurathouse, Johnstone Kenny, Lumsder, Macfarlane, McLean, Moorhousc, Morris, Ormond, Reid, Rowe, Kussell, Seymour, Stevens, Sutton, Tawhiti, Whitaker, Williams (teller), Woolcock.

Noes, 26 : Baigent, Barff, J. C. Brown, Bunny, DeLntour, Dignan, Fisher, Gisbonie, Kislop, Lusk, Alaoandrew, Montgomery, Nahe, O'JKorke', Kees, Seaton. Sheekaii (Teller), Stout (Teller), Swanson, Tairoa, Takamoana, Thomson, Tole, Travors, Wakefield, W. Wood.

Wlien Mr Whitaker's amendment was lost there was great cheering. The debate was prolonged until nearly two. It will be resumed on Monday.