The No-Confidence Debate.

Hastings Standard, Issue 88, 7 August 1896, Page 3

The No-Confidence Debate.

STILL HOLDS THE FORT. [By Telegraph.] [Special to Standard.] Wellington, this day. The No-confidence motion still holds the Parliamentary fort. Three members spoke yesterday afternoon all belonging to the Government party. Mr l'inkerion recognised the necessity of obtaining money to finish uncompleted lines of railway, but was averse to any large borrowing for railway construction till the existing lines showed better returns. He defended the co-operative system, approved of the land administration, and advocated more encouragement being given to volunteers and rifle corps. It is well known that Mr Larnach was one of the directors of the Colonial Bank who opposed its sale to the Bank of New Zealand, and as a large portion of his address dealt with banking matters it was not surprising to hear him denounce the purchase. He informed the House that when the question of the goodwill of the Colonial Bank was under discussion, he had urged that £150,000 should be asked for it. He asserted that if the Bank of New Zealand sold out to-morrow to another bank it would not come out by a million over the five millions guaranteed by the State. He analysed the latent 1 alance-sheet of the Bank of New Zealand, -contending that it really gave no true insight into the position of the bank. The burden of Wi Pere's remarks was the consideration for the Maories at the hands of the Government. At the evening sitting Mr Massey continued the No-confidence debate, condemning the Government all round. Mr Cadman referred to the weakness of the arguments of the Opposition, which were nothing more severe than would be the bite of a sandfly or a mosquito. He claimed that the Ministry was a working-man's Government, and they bad a man at the wheel who was unequalled for ability in the colony. Mr R. Thompson said he could not find fault with Captain Russell for moving his motion, but he thought that gentleman should realise that he could never lead the present House. Mr Duller M'Kenzie thought the present administration was the best New Zealand had had for many years, although he could not agree with many of the acts of the Government. The House rose at midnight, and Mr O'Regan will continue the debate this afternoon. Later. The No-confidence debate is to be continued at to-night's sitting, to close no matter how long the House sits.