House of Representatives.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 856, 6 August 1879, Page 2

House of Representatives.

— ♦ [from our own correspondent.]

Tuesday. The House met at 2.30. p.m. After a long string of questions had been answered, the House went into Committee on the Loan Bill. Mr. McLean asked for a pledge that no agent should be sent home for the special purpose of negotiating the loan. The Premier would not give a pledge, but would assure the House that no unnecessary expense would be incurred. The Bill was then jread a third time and passed. The Premier stated he proposed to adjourn over to Thursday, to enable him to prepare the financial statement, which he would deliver on bringing in the Appropriation Bill. Sir W. Fox objected to adjourning. The Opposition were ready to grant an appropriation, based on the estimates of last year, and did not want the Financial Statement, though no doubt .the Premier was anxious to make one for hustings purposes. Mr. Downie Stewart said what was required, was to fix the time for elections and the meeting of new Parliament. He moved that it be the instruction to the Government that the writs be issued within two days after the dissolution, and that they be made.returnable within two months, and the meeting of Parliament take place not later jthan the 20th of September. Mr. Bowen seconded. Mr. DeLatour argued that it was impossible that the members . could be back again at the time mentioned. Mr. Moorhouse spoke in favor of 'the motion, but said he would have been content if the Premier had given an approximate idea of when the new Parliament would meet, instead of the vague expression that there would be no unnecessary delay. Mr. Reea said the Government oould not be expected to take notice of such instructions from a House when the Ministry did not represent a majority of it. ! Mr. McLean supported the motion. The Premier opposed the motion, remarking that aa the responsibility of the elections and the assembling of Parliament rested, with the Government and not with members on the other side, many of whom might never return to the House. : While Sir George Grey was speaking, the House rose for the usual adjournment at 5.30. On the House resuming at 7.30, the Premier continued his speech. He refuted the assertion that he had attempted to set up autocracy in New Zealand. - He asked for triennial Parliaments, extension of the franchise, and a fair distribution of representation. Was that autocracy 1 He charged members on the other side with amassing wealth and using legislation to enrich themselves. On the Government side of the House they had determined to put an end to these things. He felt satisfied that few as the electors were in New Zealand, himself and his friends would come back to the new Parliament, when all measures set down in the Governor's speech would pass into law. Mr. Saunders replied to the Premier asking why he did not pass triennial J Parliaments last session, when he had ' the opportunity, and why did he throw ! the Electoral Bill into the waste paper basket 1 The motion of Mr. Stewart was then carried. Mr. Whitaker, on behalf of Sir; W. Fox, moved that the following words be inserted at the beginning of Mr; Stewart's motion : — " That a respectful address be presented to His Excellency the Governor, stating that this House is of opinion that writs for a new Parliament be issued within two days after the dissolution." > Mr. Rees characterised the motion asj an indecent attempt to bring the Government into collision. After some debate the House divided, when Mr. Stewart's motion was carried by 43 to 28. On the motion for going into. Cotnraitte of Supply, Mr. Barton moved his series' of resolutions, respecting the Judges ; but after considerable discussion they were negatived on the voices. The House then went into Committee and agreed to an Imprest Supply Bill No. 2. The House resumed, and adjourned at 2.30 a.m. In the Legislative Council thd Loan Bill was read a first time. The Council then adjourned.. • It is ' stated in the Wellington Post that Sir. Julius Vogel, in a private letter, advised a loan of ten millions, the present period being most favorable likely to occur for years for floating a loan, there being a large amount of capital held back profitable investment. ;