PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 481, 13 November 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, November 12. In the House of R. presentatives to-day, Mr. Larnac'i introduced the Civil List Act Amendment Bill.

Sir George Grey moved the adjournment of the House till 7.30, to enable members to attend the funeral of the late Mr. .Alfred Ludlam, a former member of the House, and an old colonist, who had rendered valuable services to the Colony. Mr. Stafford seconded the motion, and said he would be glad to see the adjournment made until to-morrow, as a mark of resopct his memory. Sir George Grey said he could not consent, to a longer adjournment at the present stage of the session. The Speaker then left the chair till 7.30. On the House resuming,

Mr. Sheehan laid on the table a tehv grnm from Major Te Wheoro to Sir George Grey, seating that Tawhaio was collecting food for the expected visit from Sir George Grew

In rei'lv to Major Atkinson, Mr. Ltrnach said he would give notice before bringin" down another Imprest Supply Bill.

Major A'kmoon moved the adjournment of t'e Privilege debate for a week, and said the whole of the arguments had been fairly replied to, and there was, therefore, no reason for going on with the debate. The whole question to be referred to the House was one of Constitutional law, not nnn affecting the privilege of the House ; and the time of the House would, therefore, be better occupied in discussing the Land Bill than in discussing this subject.

Mr. Stout thought Major Atkinson was treating Mr. Trav-rs very badly. He was evidently afraid if the debate went on that Mr. Travers' motion would be carried, and he would be sent for to form a Ministry instead of himself. If the debate were adjourned for a week the House could not reply to what was before it on this case, and an ex parte statement would go home by the mail next week. Major Atkinson's anxiety to go on with business now came rather strange after his recent threat to obstruct all business till his no confidence motion was discussed. It was very unkind of Major Atkinson to check Mr. Travers' ambition to become leader of the Opposition.

Mr. Gisborne would have supported the adjournment if a mail did not leave for England in the interval, but lie objected altogether to the view set forth by the Governor that the House could not determine the extent to which the Ministry were responsible to Parliament, He objected to anv such question being referred to the Secretary of S^ate.

The remainder of the sitting was occupied in the discussion of Major Atkinson's motion that the House should adjourn th« debate on Mr. Travers' vot< of censure for a week. He said that lie wanted the House to get on with the important business bpfore it. This was strongly opposed by all the leading members of the Government party, and on a division being taken, the motion was negatived bv 38 against 37. Mr. Gisborne then moved an niiPti'l'imi.t that the debate he adjourm-d till Friday, and that on that day Mr. Travers' motion should have precedence of all otheas. After discission, this was also lost by 33 to3f. The r mainder of the sitting was occupied in making personal attacks and personal explanations. Mr. Stout complained that certain members of the Opposition were banded together to ostracise Sir George Gt'"V from public lifo. Ultimatelv the House adjourned at 12.40 o'clock, which shelves the djbate.