PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1075, 17 August 1869, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

(From the Wellington "Evening Post.") Tuesday, August 10. After prayers, Mr. Fox read to the House the telegram received from Dr. Featherston via Hokitika, announcing the complete success of that gentleman's mission to Gen. Chute. The House received the news with loud cheers and the most lively satisfaction. Most of the afternoon's sitting was spent in discussing in committee Mr. Waring Taylor's bill to amend the Joint Stock Companies Act by allowing companies to reduce the nominal value of the paid up shares. This measure met with considerable opposition in certain quartets, but after a couple of divisions the bill was reported without amendments. At the evening sitting, the discussion of Mr. M'Lean's resolutions was resumed, when the insatiable desire of talk again assumed sway, and from a few minutes after seven till some little time past midnight member after member talked on subjects which have long ago been worn threadbare. The first proceeding was to put to the House the words of Mr. M'Lean's first resolutions which by the division and Mr. Stafford's amendment had been ordered to stand part of the question. On the question being pui that the first resolution be agreed to there was not a single Aye, but a considerable number of Noes, the voices from the Ministerial benches being very emphatic. The first of the Ministerial resolutions was thus disposed of, and on the second one being moved, Mr. Ormond, as previously arranged, moved the first of liis resolutions as an amendment. After a very little discussion the amendment was agreed to, and so was the addition of the second paragraph of Mr. Ormond's resolutions. When the third paragraph was put, however, the fighting commenced. Mr. Hall wanted to move a preamble, reciting that the House having already asked General Chute to leave the 18th Regt. here while an appeal, was made to the Imperial Government, therefore the House now asked the Imperial Government to give us the troops. This, Mr. Hall said he did for purpose of placing on record his protest against the retention of the troops at all, which he thought a great misfortune, and he could only consent to the resolution as the honor of the House was already pledged to make a fair and honorable offer to the Imperial Government regarding the retention of the 18th Eegiment. Mr. Bell said the Government saw rid particular objection to the preamble, and wou]4 consent to it if it was understood that Mr. Hall arid his friends withdrew all further .'opposition to the resolutions^ Mr. Hallj however, would not agree to this, and said he objected to sending Commissioners home ; he objected to the troops being retained for five years, and he wanted the word garrison introduced in one of the clauses, so as to render it clear that we only asked for the troops for garrison purposes. Mr. Fox said that on none of these points would the Government yield an inch, and if Mr. Hall attempted to bring on amendments on these points they would not accept bis preamble. Then the talk fairly commenced, and a little row took place at the Opposition having refused the Government pairs for the two Maori members, who, it appears, were not to be found. The whips went to work most vigorously, and messengers were sent in all directions to find missing members. However, no division took place, and, after a very large amount of profitless discussion, Mr. Hall's preamble and innumerable amendments were negatived on the voices, and he wisely, did not call for a division. The whole of Mr. Ormond's resolutions were then agreed to as amendments on Mr. M'Lean's resolutions. Then on the last of the Government resollutions, that relating to Ghoorkas, being put, Mr. Wilson moved as an amendment, " That the commissioners be instructed to lay before the Imperial Government the grounds upon, which the Colony feels justified in asking tor assistance, and to ascertain to what extent aid, either in men .or otherwise, will be afforded." This Mr.

Wilson moved in a very able speech/ and,V ; after some . discussion, it was agreed &>. ; Mr. Wilson then moved the addition of the following new clause :-— , ' •' . . ", '. •" That the commissioners be also in* structed to confer -with the Imperial Go-v vernment and military authorities, -as .to, »; ,- : the description of foree — whetherGhoorka; ..:.. Regiments or other body of disciplined men, in addition to the one thousand Im s*:-perial5 *:- perial troops already authorized-rrit .will, be most advantageous for the Colony %o employ for its defence, it being clearly understood that such force will be subject to the control of the Colonial 1 drovernnieht ; and that the commissioners be empowered to conclude the arrangements for the organization and employment of such force for : ; three years, provided that the whole cost of it to the Colony does not exceed the sum of £70,000 per annum. —Mr. Fox. supported the proposal,' |as it simply instructed the commissioners to make enquiries as to whether Ghoorkas or other troops might be best adapted to our pur- . poses. Mr. Trayers pointed out that the resolution allowed the commissioners to bind the Colony for three years to ah annual expenditure of £70,000 for fighting troops, and he wanted to know if this was to be in, addition to our Colonial force. If a force was raised in- England a heavy expense would also be incurred for: transport, so j that really the House, was giving the commissioners an almost unlimited 1 power of ; appropriating the public funds. Considerable discussion took place on this, and in | the end the debate was adjourned, and the House soon afterwards rose. Wednesday, August 11; The Hon. the Premier laid upon the table a despatch from Major-General Chute, and moved, by leave, "That the thanks of this House be given to Major-General Sir Trevor Chute, Knight Commander of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, commanding her Majesty's forces in the Australian Colonies, for undertaking, the responsibility of retaining in New Zealand, pending further reference to her Majesty's Government, the second battalion of the 18th Royal Irish, and for the great promptitude with which he has acted in .so critical an emergency* That the lion, the Speaker do communicate this resolution to Major-General Sir Trevor Chute.," Mr. Hall wanted an alteration made in the wording of the resolution, but he did not get it, and the vote was agreed to. Mr. Fox told Mr. Bradshaw the Government did not see its way to introducing a biU to make the duty on Auckland gold proportionate to its value. Colonel Haultain got an order for correspondence about Colonel Whittnore's removal from his command, and Mr. Rol- , leston brought in the bills recommended by the Committee on the Social Evil. Mr. Dillon Bell tried to bring in a new ballot bill, as the Lords had made the original one unworkable by their amendment ; but the Speaker ruled that the motion was irregular. After some more .business of an uninteresting character, the debate on I the Ghoorka resolution of Mr. Wilson was resumed, Messrs. Stafford, Tancred, Potts, Rolleston, and Hall opposing it. Mr. Peacock suggested the time should be limited to a period not exceeding three years. Mr. Wilson agreed to this,, and, after a few remarks from Mr. Creighton, the question was put, and the ayes declared to have it. A division was called for, but after the doors were locked the ayes so unmistakeably had it that no second deman J was made for a division, and the deerest wish of Mr. Wilson's heart was de* clared to be fulfilled, his resolution being carried. It was a triumph and a happiness for which he had scarce dared to hope, and it was evidently too much for him. The resolutions were ordered to be considered in the House on Friday, and after a long debate on Mr. Hall's motion about the appointment of a commissioner to enquire into flax machinery and the culture of flax^ which ended in the motion being carried, the House adjourned. During the sitting the Count de la Ronciere, late Governor of Tahiti, was introduced by Mr. Fox and Mr. Bell, and conducted to a chair on the right of the Speaker, where he sat for some time, apparently much interested in the scene.