The No-Confidence Debate.

Hastings Standard, Issue 87, 6 August 1896, Page 3

The No-Confidence Debate.

STILL DRAGS ITS WEARY WAY. [Special to Standard.] Wellington, this day. Still the No-confidence debate drags its way wearily along, and judging by the present indications the end will not be readied before Friday next. Mr Mills, the senior Government Whip, in taking np the running, said that the House ought to know if what was aimed at was a coalition between Sir Robert Stout and Captain Russell. The late Treasurer, though at present under a cloud, would, in his opinion, presently emerge, again into the bright sunshine of public opinion, and, chastened somewhat by the experience, he would prove himself of much greater value to the Colony than he had been before. Mr Meredith, in the course of a somewhat rambling speech, which was delivered to almost empty benches, defended the Government of the charge of having introduced the " Spoils to the Vic tors,and generally endorsed their administration. " A dismal failure " was Mr G. J. Smith's description of the Financial Statement, which to- his thinking should be devoid of glowing language and should merely consist of a plain statement of the financial condition of the colony. The volunteer force, he urged, wanted more encouragement. An inquiry was necessary into the administration of the police force. As to the Banking Enquiry, he held that it was weakening the position of the Bank" of New Zealand, and he regretted that the Premier had not kept to his decision of last year —not to permit publicity being given to private accounts. As one of the Independent Liberals who did not endorse all the actions of the present Government, but on :he contrary considered some of them deserving of very gravest censure, he said they declined to be put in the position of voting with the Opposition. While they condemned the Government administration, they wished to be loyal to the pledges they gave on the hustings, and were not prepared to go back on the policy they endorsed when speaking to their constituents ; but it should be borne in mind that a general election was at hand, and he ventured to predict that while the Opposition would come back with increased numbers, not on account of their own merits but owing to the maladministration of the Government, the greatest increase would be on the part of the Independent Liberals of the House. The programme of this party would be an Elective Executive and a reform of the Upper House, but they would insist above all on a better and purer administration of the affairs of the country. Mr Button followed with condemnation all round. He found fault with the Government and their finances, j the seizure of the sinking funds, and i the proposal to borrow a million for ; public works. He thought they should ; do without public works rather than borrow for them. He was not in favor of the old-age pension scheme or the State tire insurance proposal, and spoke strongly against the land policy of the Government. Mr Carncross followed, remarking that he thought the Government- had had all the best of the debate, and that the Premier should thank the leader of the Opposition for having moved the motion of No-confidence. He praised the land policy of the Government and the purchase of the Cheviot Estate. The Police Department, he thought, required overhauling. Mr Buick blamed the Leader of the Opposition for a great waste of time and for interference with the business of the country. He congratulated Mr Seddon on his taking the Treasurership. He did not favor the loan conversion scheme, however, nor could he approve of the seizure of the sinking funds of local bodies. He could not see that the Opposition could manage the affairs of the country better than they were being managed. he would vote against the motion of Captain Russell. Mr Tanner, while not supporting the Government in every particular, thought Captain Russell's motion a great waste of time. He strongly favored the acquisition of lands for settlement near towns. Mr Lang said he intended to vote for the motion of the Leader of the Opposition, and he found fault with the Government generally, Mr Wilson found fault with the administration of the Minister of Lands, and criticised the management of the Levin State Farm. The debate will be continued this afternoon, Mr Pinkerton taking the floor lit 2.80.