The No-Confidence Debate.

Hastings Standard, Issue 81, 30 July 1896, Page 2

The No-Confidence Debate.

———♦» - A WEARISOME DISCUSSION,

[By Telegraph.] (From our Special Correspondent.) Wellington, this day. There was a want of vim in the speeches on the No-Confidence debate, and the probabilities are that before the matter goes to the vote many speaker." will find themselves talking to empty benches. Captain Russell was in anything but a happy mood. His indictment was that the Government had committed a most criminal act in seizing the local bodies' sinking funds, and that the land transfer assurance fund, which was a trust fund, was being depleted for revenue purposes. He complained that owing to the sub„serviency of members they allowed the Premier to do as he liked in the matter of supplying returns, and instead of insisting upon seeing that the administration was sound and honorable, they allowed him to do just as he pleased. He declared that our defences were the laughing-stock of every commanding officer throughout the Australian Colonies, and in criticising the land administration he said that dummyism was now more rampant in the colony than ever. He contended that in every way the colony had under the present Administration gone backward, and it was time to end this maladministration. The Premier's speech was in the main a reply to the charges made, and it suited his audience, though it contained little that was new. Dr Newman was the only other speaker up to the dinner adjournment. At 7.30 the member for Wellington Suburbs continued his speech, but said nothing new. Mr Hogg eulogised the Government for their administration all round. He thought it was because the Seddon administration were carrying war into the home of the capitalist, and looking after the workers that Captain Russell's motion had bcjen tabled. Sir Robert Slept attacked the Government en their finances, although he gave the Treasurer credit for the lucid manner in which he had brought down his figures. This was the only compliment he paid however. Mr Morrison followed, twitting the senior member for Wellington City with having formed a coalition with Captain Russell and his followers. Mr Buchanan dwelt at length on financial matters, and Mr Maslin moved to omit from Captain Russell's motion reference to the increase of the public debt. A melancholy debate was adjourned on the motion of Mr Ricearton Bussel. _ J