PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 444, 29 September 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

(by telegraph.) Wellington, September 29. With the exception of one or two little matters, the whole of yesterday's sitting was occupied with the adjourned debate on Mr. Larnach's Maori motion. Mr. Curtis was the first to speak. He said he had never before known a want of confidence motion depend on such an utterly insignificant question. Mr. Montgomery thought it was fo- the good of the country that matters should be fully discussed, and that the time so occupied was not lost, nor could it be said that business was obstructed. He attributed the disorganised condition of parties in the House to Mr, Stafford's conduct in abandoning his party in 1573, without providing any successor. He reviewed the attitude and change of parties since that time, and said that out of the chaos of the early part of this sesrion there were now two wings (a right and a left) of an Opposition (for the Mil Idle Party was a misnomer) working cordially together to do good to the country. They were charged with obstructiveness, but lie defied them to show one instance of it. The Opposition knew their duty, but the Government had not given them information on which to discuss the finance of the country, and base a vote of w>mt of confidence. He severely criticised the action of the Ministry in reference to the Waka Maori case. Even if beaten on this question by members not voting according to what they thought right, the Opposition would not give tip, but would strive earnestly until they placed men on the Treasury Benches with honest convictions, determined to stick to them—not merely doing an\'thing in order to retain their seats ; men also who would not, if they had a vacancy, go and try to steal men from the Opposition. Mr. Sutton opposed the motion. Mr. Takamoana denied that the Waka Maori was maintained in the interests of the natives, or according to their wishes. A great evil would arise if the present Government remained in office and carried it on as it had been, for if so there would be fighting in this island next year. The usual dinner adjournment then took place. At the evening sitting the debate was resumed, and was kept up till 12.15.

Mr. Hamlin condemned the Wet I-a Maori as a miserable rag, and spoke strongly against the means taken to get up an agitation in its favour. Captain Morris said the East' Coast natives wanted the paper continued. Mr. Pyke said the Ministry had defied the House, and a reconstruction of the Cabinet should take place. Mr. Carrin-jton considered that Ministers had acted rightly. Mr. Rolleston supported the motion, and said their own selr-respect ought to make the Government retire.

Mr. Wason opposed the motion. Mr. Gisborne said what the Government did in defiance of the House reflected badly upon the audit system.

Mr. Stafford spoke at considerable length in defence of the Government, and against the motion. He denied the charges of having deserted his party in 1873. He claimed the present Ministry as really belonging to his party, and composed of old colleagues and political allies. He did not think tne Opposition contained the elements of an abiding party. The Government had acted rightly regarding the H'a£a Maori. During 20 years there had been 17 successive Ministries. He felt it necessary to have the Maori paper. Mr. Stout supported the motion, and strongly condemned the action of the Ministry.