PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1095, 22 October 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Weli.ixoton, October 21. In the Legislative Council to-day, The Attorney-General proposed that the Council should postpone important questions until the Lower House had disposed of the no-confidence motion, but it would be necessary for the Council to meet each day, as the Imprest Supply Bill might be received. The Council agreed to the proposition. Mr. Waterliouse spoke strongly on the cost of raising loans, which was increasing, A motion was proposed for a Select Committee to inquire into the expense of native land purchases for the past year and a quarter. Sir F. D. Bell condemned the whole policy of the Government in incurring heavy liabilities for land without the sanction of the House. Mr. Waterliouse mentioned that the authorised claims were nearly a million. After a slight amendment, the motion was carried. In the House of Representatives today, The following information was elicited in reply to questions : The Government recognised the importance of an amendment being passed, so as to give.artisans and laborers a preferential claim for three months' wages instead of one, in cases of insolvency. The Government intend introducing several amendments to the Land Tax Act. v " The Government considered that the further survey of the East and West Coast railways of the Middle Island was necessary. The Government did not propose to niako provision for a Supreme Court sitting at Oamaru. A Bill to amend the Counties Act would be introduced. The Premier stated that the proposals for enabling business to proceed having been rejected by the Opposition, the Government would consent to no other business being done until its liberal measures were passed. In that determination they bejipvgd they would be supported by the majority in tho House ; at all events by the voice of the country. Mr. Hall resumed the debate on leave to introduce the Electoral Bill. He said that what the Government party aimed at in the late po-confidence motion was to form a strong coalition Government, one that would command tiie confidence of the country, and enable the business on hand to be passed into law. The action of the then Uovernßjent in expressing its determination 'not to agree to any suoh coalition prevented that intention being carried out, a fact which he very much regretted, Sir Goorge Grey spoke, and argued that the debate should be adjourned, and no further business transacted until supplies had been granted. The want of these

supplies had occasioned a great distress to Government contractors and employes, and it was the manifest duty of the Government to waive every other consideration, and get that distress obviated, which they could do if they liked forthwith. He charged the Government with having suppressed a message from the Governor directing them to as is for supplies, a proceeding which lie stigmatised as unconstitutional and unprecedented. Circumstances were such as to- warrant the interference of the Grown, and itrwas the duty of the Governor to step in and put an end to the existing state of matters. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. On the House resuming, .The Premier, with the consent of the House, was allowed to read a memorandum from the Governor, relative to a statement made by Sir G. Grey to the efiect that in accepting his (Mr. Hall's) resignation as a member of the Legislative Council, he had not given his Excellency any advice. ■ ■ . Thereupon ensued a pretty warm debate, ending in nothing. On the motion for the second reading of the Triennial Parliaments Bill, Mr. Macandrew moved the previous question. Mr. Hall pointed out that the Bill proposed that triennial Parliaments should come into force at once, whereas the Bill of the late Government proposed to delay coming into operation until the close of the present Parliament. The Government and its supporters were determined that its measures should be placed before the country, and having done so, they would be prepared to go on with the other business. Mr. Reader Wood said they wanted this Bill to pass., but having been told that supplies were refused, they wanted those supplies to be voted before anything else was done. Major Atkinson said it was a mere pretence to say they were not prepared to grant supplies. Tliey merely wanted a chance for attacking them, so as to make up for their bad generalship in the past. The Government, however, was determined not to have the business trifled with any longer. The fact was they were not sincere in their professions to grant supplies, arid wanted an opportunity to pass a vote of no confidence. They ought to be sure that this act on their part would be rightly judged by the country. If supplies were not passed without delay, he could tell them there was very great danger of the Bill not being passed at all. If it was thrown out, as proposed, it could not be got up■ again on the Order PapvV this session.

Mr. Sheehan said they possessed the majority in the House. If they stood there their measures would pass; if they did not then these measures would fail. The threat about a dissolution, he scouted. They had just come back from the country, and such things dare not take place. He trusted the House would not be influenced by a threat of that kind. He charged the Government with being in a minority, and challenged them to oome to a vote at once, The dplay was occasioned by pcrso.ua pretending to lead the House who oould not pass a single measure. They were keeping those who could back from doing so. They claimed the Bill as their property, and were determined that tliej' should pass it. Sir. M'Lean. pointed to tho late Governmsnt, as one of tin; most incompetent that had ewr sat on the benches. They had brought the finances of thu country into a deplorable state, and ■ had commuted the country to one-half of a L 5,000.009 loan, which had not beer i>e;roi-iitted, and the negotiation of which, ho feared, was in the opposite of in a promising state. Mr. Tamoana said : I only wish to say a few words. I listened attentively to the statement of the Native Minister. After I heard that statement I became very dark within myself. I failed to gather anything from it that would benefit the Maori people. It is true that I said when I voted with Mr. Hall that I would give my vote as a chief. What I have to say now is that the Government must look for some oiio else to fill my place on these benches. I have voted as a chief, and I leave these benches now as a chief, as I am not satisfied with the policy of the Ministry, or that it will be any benefit to the Maori people. The lion, member then left the Government benches, and crossed, bowing to the Speaker as he crossed the House.

Mr. Andrews said he was free to take whatever course he chose ; he was left unfettered by his constituents. He was most desirous of expediting the business, and if a dissolution would do so he would be quite prepared to accept that alternative. As things stood he felt the Government was in a minority, and he never could think of supporting a (government so situated. If the (Government was left where it was he had no doubt that they would eventually find a majority. That, however, was a thing he did not purpose doing. Colonel Trimble said the Government offered to bring, in the motion that day, and the offer was met with a flat refusal of consent, and yet the Opposition pretended that they were desirous of going on with the business. Mr. Hutchison argued that the Government not having the confidence of the House, they must bo held responsible for obstructing the business. Mr. Turnbull expressed his admiration of the conduct of Tomoana, and hoped the other members of the Ministry would follow his example. Mr. Rolleston stated his determination to stick to the Government, and on no account relinquish the benches to the Opposition. Mr. Hall said the division would not be accepted as a vote of no-confidence. Mr. Murray said he would decline to recognise the vote as one of a want of confidence, and would vote in the hope of shelving the Bill, to whichhe was opposed. The adjournment of the debate was moved by the Minister for Public Works, on which the House divided—ayes, 31; noes, 37. The previous question on the Triennial Parliaments Bill was then carried on the voices, and at 1.15 a.m. the House adjourned.