ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 68, 19 September 1881, Page 3

ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.

? In the Legislative Counoil on Saturday, Mr. Wilson's motion, deprecating professional coats being allowed in the Resident Magistrate's Court in suits for less than JJ2O, waß disposed of by the previous question being moved, members considering that it was too late to discuss the matter properly this session. The amendments by the Lower House in the Volunteers Bill and the Sheep Act Amendment Bill were agreed to. The Bailway Construction Bill (the debate on which is reported elsewhere) passed through committee. The Stamp Act, 1875, Amendment Bill was passed. The debate on the second reading of the Deceased Persons' Estates Duty Bill (the Attorney-General) was commenced and adjourned till Monday, at 10.35 p.m. The Council adjourned till noon on Monday (to-day). The House met at 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. The report of the Petitions Committee upon Mr. J. H. Shaw's claim for compensation was brought up and read. It was to the effect that the petitioners had no claim against the colony for compensation. Mr. Stewart attacked the Government for " shunting" Mr. Shaw, and was followed by Mr. Ballance and Sir George Grey on the Bame side. The Premier defended the action of the Government. The committee's report was adopted. Mr. Shrimski re-introduced the Pension Bill with the omission of the clause objected to by the Upper House. There was some discussion about the interference of the Counoil with the privileges of the House in connection with the bill, and a general opinion was expressed that the House should assert its rights. The Speaker, in answer to a question, said the passing of the present bill would be a condonation of the action of the Upper House. Mr. Shrimski then agreed to frithdraw the bill. The Premier moved the adoption of the amended schednles in the Representation Bill brought down by mesBage from the Governor. Mr. bheehan announoed his intention to vote against every amendment in the schedule. He said the Government had committed a gross breach of faith in altering the schedules as they had done. The alterations had been made by secret compact outaide the House in violation of what had been said inside. He held that the Crown had no light to initiate legislation of this kind, but could only deal with questions of its own prerogative and matters of Supply. In the evening he moved — "That this House respectfully regrets that it oannot agree with his Excellency's message, for the reasons following : — 1. That the bill is one exclusively affecting the powers and funotions of this House. 2. That the said bill has passed this House, after long and conscientious discussion, without amendment, and has also passed the Legislative Council, and has been returned to this House by the Counoil without amendment. 3. That this House passed the said bill upon the full faith and assurance that the bill would not be altered, but would become law substantially as it passed this House. 4. That all measures dealing with the members' rights, or privileges of this House should originate in this House, and Ministers, by the adoption of this course, have betrayed their trust, and have made it plain that in their opinion this Estate of the Realm is the Lower House in more senses than one " Mr. Stewart, speaking of the right of the Governor to send down the message, said it seemed t> him that Sir Arthur Gordon was no longer Governor of this colony. He vent on to argue on the point in a similar manner to Mr. Qisborne a few days ago, quoting from the letters patent to his Ex : pellenoy, &c. Mr. Stewart held that if he were to be Governor again, a fresh commission would be necessary. Mr. Seeves Bpoke (or rather stonewalled) for two hours and fifteen minutes, and as at the end of that time he said he was prepared to entertain the House two hours longer, the Speaker suggested that it would be well to have an adjournment for half an hour. Upon resuming at 10 30 p.m., Mr. Koeves didn't appear, and Mr. Gibbs (started on a discursive tour by way of killing time. This ended the " debate," and the schedule was agreed to, the amendment of Mr. Sheehan having been previously negatived on the voices. At this stage, Mr. Macandrew pressed for an adjournment, urging that as they had been sitting sixteen or seventeen hours a day during the week, and as this was Saturday the Premier might be satisfied with what was done. The Premior was inexorable— he never does give way if lie can possibly keep members in the House — and so three more bills— the Supreme Court Procedure, Neglected and Criminal Children Act Amendment, and Special Powers and Contracts Bills— were put into committee. The first two bills were read a first time and passed, and the lost was ordered to be further considered on Monday. The House rose at midnight. This Day. The managers appointed to consider the amendments made oy the Council in the Parliamentary Privileges Bill recommended that the bill be dropped. The report was adopted. On the question for going into committee on the West Coast Settlement Reserves Bill, Mr. Rolleston made a statement which appears in another part

of this issue. Mr. Turnbnli considered it was a great mistake to allow Sir F. D. Bell to leava the colony at such a critical period. Sir Win. Fox, while regretting the loaa of his colleague, did not think his absence had materially affected the settlement of the West Coast question. Mr. Brown said the aspect of affairs revived the question aa to how far Mr. Bryce had been rich- in urging more energetic steps being taken. Mr. Ballance thpught the statement made by the Native Minister was calculated to create a feeling 1 of alarm which might be toned down if fuller information was given. He asked him to give full information as soon as possible. Mr. Sheehan censured the Government for leaving such an important measure until the last moment. Sir William For, being entrusted with a question involving peace or war, ought to be on the Government benches. At present there were virtually two Native Ministers, and one of them was absolutely irresponsible. He did not believe a breach of peace would arise, but if it did he felt intense pity for the natives, because they would have to realise that public peace would have to be maintained at any cost. Therefore he was prepared to assist in furnishing the Government with the power to maintain peace, and save the native race from what would be nothing more nor less than self-de* traction. He believed it would have been the salvation of the Maoris if two years ago such a 'position had been taken np on the West Coast, as would have guaranteed peace for all time Th 9 Government must now be prepared for the utmost emergency, and they must not; be afraid to ask this House to help them to do ho. After further discussion, during which nothing of importance was said, the billl was committed.