PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 443, 28 September 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

(a y teleo kaPH. ) Wellington, September 29. In the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon, Mr. I.arnach moved his Waka Maori motion on the motion for going into Co" mittee of Supply. He said ho felt the responsibility thrown upon him by the Government accepting it as one of want of confidence. Mr. "Wliitaker made a long speech against the motion, ami defending the action of the Government with reference to the Waka Maori. He said that after the vote of last year striking out the sum proposed in the Estimates for the Walca Maori, an article appeared in that paper announcing its discontinuance ; but in consequence of representations from the natives, and as several gentlemen guaranteed the expenses of continuing the publication, the Government decided to re-establish the paper. Mr. I.nsk said the statements in Mr. Whitaker's speech did not hang together. He was glad the Government li.uT t >ken a stand, and had not viewed the question as merely a soeia>. one, or promise to consider it during the recess. There were other and more "important questions afl'ecting their existence yet in iho back ground. He severely criticised the speech of Mr. Whitaker, and condemned the action of the Ministry. The usual adjournment then took place.

The ll'al-a Maori debate occupied the House nil night, llr. Button condemned the Opposition for not bringing the matter to an issue at once, and before wasting so much time of the House on native matters. Ho was perfectly satisfied with the present Government-, and the explanation given by Mr. Wlntaker.

Mr. Brown (.Ashley) supported the motion, as the Government defied the House in disregarding the vote of last session. If the House allowed such acts to- pass unchallenged, thoy would soon lose ail control over the public purse. Mr. Fitz-oy thought it clear that the WaJ.-a Maori hrid been supported by voluntary subscription since list 'ession. Mr. Hone Nahe and other Maori members were anxious that the paper should be .carried on, but, not having been conducted in the way they wanted, he wished its publication stopped. Mr. Mauders supported the Government, but thought that it was not in accord with the House, and thought that it should be reconstructed. M.-. Wakefield said that even if the Wala Maori had been self-supporting, that was no answer to the charge. The wish of the House was that the Government should have nothing to do with that paper. He wanted the names of those who gauranteed the cost of publication. Mr. Harper considered Mr. Win taker's explanation, satisfactory. Mr. Thomson said that it was no explanation at all.

Mr. Gibbs thought that tlie Government had exercised wise discretion.

Dr. Hodgkinson considered the guarantees bogus, and that a grave constitutional wrong had been done.

Air. Bowen complained that the Opposition, instead of d.bating the Government policy, narrowed it down to a miserable issue like this paper, only printed at the general desire of the natives of the Colony.

Air. Travers said that the Government had to thank theinsdves for the position they were now in. "Why not have fully explained the true position of the case on two previous occasions, when an opportunity was afforded. The House rose at midnight.