PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 478, 9 November 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Wellington. November 8.

On the House assembling at 2.30 today, Sir George Grey moved that tomorrow being Prince of Wales' birthday, tlie House at its rising do adjourn to Monday. Major Atkinson jumped up and said that lie hoped the House would not agree to the motion. The Government were treating the House with con tempt and disrespect. There was a large amount of business to get through, in addition to the want of confidence motion. Mr. Stout said that had it not been for the obstructiveness of Major Atkinson the House would have long since been prorogued. He strongly denounced Major Atkinson for bringing forward another want of confidence motion. He did not attribute it to any desire for office, but to his anxiety to deliver the speech he was prevented from delivering in reply to the last want-of-confirlence motion.

In reply to Mr. Rolleston, Sir George Grey said lie hoped to be able to lay the papers relating to the privilege case before the House that evening. Mr. Itecs condemned the action of Mr. Rolleston, who, although he stated in the TTnu.se that' Major Atkinson was not lit to .sit in the Ministry, was now evidently willing to become his colleague. Mr. George M'Lean said that such statements were not relevant. The speaker deprecated the tone that had lately characterised the debates in the House, and said that if it continued it would be impossible to preserve order. It was only natural that the accusation which Major Atkinson had hurled across the House shouicl provoke a reply.

Here Major Atkinson interrupted the Speaker by bellowing out to Sir George Grey that " No. 3 motion (the want-of-confidenco motion) wonld settle you." The Speaker characterised this as exceedingly unparliamentary conduct. Some discussion here ensued, and the Speaker announced that it was his intention to endeavour to preserve order. If he failed in the attempt to do so, he would leave the chair.

Mr. Rees, in speaking to the motion for adjournment, said that the Opposition would not be permitted to discuss

%ihe i wan t-of-ce)iiJidenc's_ tliis , sessiouV'and thefe"" w is theni back-to ofhee. It?was!useless for tiieni'to impede businessjwith that object. Tlie niotion for .adjournment was supported: by Mr. Shrimskiand others, but on'being put, it was hist by 38 to 37. Major Atkinson pleaded that it was courtesy to give want-of-contidence motions precedence, and asked Sir George Grey whether he would not do so. Sir George Grey replied that lie would allow -nothing to .-interfere with the conduct of the business of the country.

The privilege papers weve last night laid upon the table, wherein the Governor adheres to his decision, and says that he will submit the matter to the Secretary of State. Major Atkinson moved the suspension of the standing orders, in order that the no-contideuce debate might be brought on.

The debate was interrupted by the privilege question.