PARLIAMENTARY.

Auckland Star, Issue 3725, 20 July 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[By Telegraph.—Special Reporter.]

WELLINGTON, this day, An Unexpected Fight.

A trial of strength arose most unexpectedly last night on Sir George Grey's Hill to amend the Constitution Act. The Bill provides for referring to a plebiscite any Bill making an amendment to the Constitution that has passed either branch of the Legislature and been rejected or amended so that the branch of tbe Legislature in which the measure originated will not pass it. When the debate was resumed, Mr Bolleston got up and moved .hit the Bill be read that day six months. Colonel Trimble followed suit, and denounced the Bill as the most tyrannical that had over been introduced into a Legislature.—Sir John Hall said the Bill virtually abolished the second Chamber and dispensed with tho Governor as part ot the Legislature. He believed the country was in Javour of making the Legislative Council elective, and was sorry tbe Government had not brought in a Bill giving effect to that wish, Sir G«o. Grey's Bill was the same as that in force in Victoria, but the circumstances were not the same heie. He did not think there was a necessity for it, and he would oppose it. After Mr Kelly had spoken in a similar strain, Mr Bryce got up aud pitched into the Bill, and announced that the Government were determined to stake their existence again.t it. He maintained that tbe Legislative Council now were practically elected by the House of Kepicscutative... He thought as Mr Montgomery had expressed opposition to the Bill, he should haye seconded Mr Kolles- j ion's amondment.—Mr Green thought that, after tbe way the Council had treated the Eight Hours Bill, it was time something was done with them. He should like to see the Bill bo amended as to compel a double passage of a measure through the House of t.epreseutative3 before going to the popular vote.—After the 10,30 adjournment, Mr Turnbull moved the adjournment of the debate. He approved of the principle of the Bill, aud saw no reason why the question should be treated as a party one. Sir Geurge Grey was iv a position that no party could direct hia course of action.— Major Atkinson said if there had been a waste of time, the Opposition were to blame for not taking a stand and showing the utter futility of the debate. The member for Akaroa (Mr Montgomery) had been guilty of a breach of faith in not adhering to the arrangement he had entered into. Was a pioposed change in the Constitution to be laughed at as a huge joke as the leader of the Opposition had been laughing the whole night.—Mr Montgomery said he would be sorry to see any Opposition drilled to such perfection that members did not dare express their opinions. He denied that he had committed any breach of faith with the Colonial Treasurer. Could he stop the lion, member for Auckland East from carrying bill after bill agaiast the Government ? He had been accused of laughing— could he help it? Nu one could. He then compared the members to a lot of sheep.— Mr Green, of Dunedin East, said, after heariug the debate, he could not vote with the Government.—This statement was received with load applause.—Mr Bryce said the Government could not consent to the adjournment.—Mr Moss waa very much surprised at the great levity shown during the debate of such an important measure. Mr Seddon, in one of his emphatic speeches, maintained that had any delay taken place the Government was to blame for it. He twitted the Government with standing or falling on the present debate over a measure brought down by the member for Auckland East, and challenged the Native Minister to try that course with regard'to his Native Reserves Bill.—Col. Trimble thought it was time the Opposition brought down some straightforward scheme. If they went on as now, he considered they should put up the appointment of leadership by tender. He challenged Mr Montgomery to give his opinion in relation te the Bill, and s-id he was afraid to express his views. Mr Montgomery reminded him of two boys fightine,

and the aggress r crying out to hold him back, and at the same time having no intention of coming out.—Mr Joyce thought

tbo present test should not be taken a.a test of strength, He asked the Government to try a test of strength in connection with one of their own measures.— Mr Morris changed the Opposition with being the cause of all the delay.— Meiws Levestam, Shepherd, and Hobbs, expreised surprise at tbe position the Government had taken up towards this Bill. About midnight the whips had their hand's full, Cabs were engaged and driven round the town, hunting ud members. Not a few of them had retired home for the night, and entered the Chamber in anything but pleasant moods, bnt as they were not asked to speak, their task was not a very laborious one. At 12.30 members cried " divide," but Mr Hurst said he would ssy his ssy. He would point out that the measure had not been considered by tho country. He thought the time had now arrived for the House to adjourn. Un the House dividing, Mr Peacock called attention to the fact that Mr Hurst gave his voice with the ayes, and was now going with the noes. Mr Huist said he never opened his lips. Thore was tremendous excitement over tho division. It was generally believed that the Opposition would snatch a victory. However, as will be seen by the division list, the Government carried the day by four votes :— . Noes (44) : Allwright, Atkinson, Beetham, Bryce, J. Buchanan (Napier), W. C. Buchanan (Wairarapa South), Connolly, Dick, Driver, Fergus, Fitzgerald, Fulton, J. Green (Waikouaiti), HaU, Hamlin, Hobbs, Hurst, liursthouse, C. J. Johnston (Te Aro), W. W. Johnston (Manawatu), Kelly, Levin, F. W. Mackenzie (Mataura), McMillan, Mltchelson, Mnnro.O'Callagban, Peacock, Pcaraorif Po-tlethwaite, Holieston, Rutherford, Stevens, Sutton, Swanson, H. Thomson (Christchureh North, Trimble, Watt, Whitaker, J. B. Whyte^Waikato), Williams, J. G. Wilson

(Foxton), Wright, and Pilliett.

Ayes (40): Barron, Bracken, J. C. Brown (Tuapeka), Cadman, Daniel, Targaville, DeLautour, Duncan, Fcldwick, George, M. W. Green (Dunedin East), Grey, Harris, Holmes, Hutchison, Ivess, Joyce, Lovestarn, Macandrew, McDonald, J. McKenzie (Mocraki), Montgomery, Moss, Petrie, Fyke, Seddon, Sheehan, Shepherd, Sutter, Shrimsl. i, Steward, Taiaroa, Tawhai, J. W. Thomson (Clutha), Tole, Tomoana, Turnbull, Weston, White (Sydenham).

Lobby Talk about the Division.

Last night's division is the topic in the lobbies. Tho general opinion appears to bo that the Government had a narrow escape. Messrs Pilliett and Buchanan (of Napier,) saving them from a tie. Every man voted or paired. Mr Bryce in the early part of the evening, got very angry, and said the Government would stand or fall by the division, at which his colleagues were somewhat annoyed. So soon as the house roso for half-an-hour, a Cabinet meeting was called, which decided that Mr Bryce should be supported in his action, and, so when Major Atkinson came back, he stated that the Government would not go on with any other business until the affair was settled one way or another. Mr Pilliet, after the division, wanted to make out that he did not know that it was a Government question, but this matters not. The

Opposition say that they consider tbey got the . ictory—they say it was worse than a defeat; the Government supportors, howCTor, say that if a want of confidence motion came down they would have a majority of six.