PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 931, 22 October 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[By Telegraph.] ♦ Wellington, This Day. Sir William Fritzherbert gave an official dinner to members of the Legislative Council on Saturday. The Governor was present, but he was thought to be remarkably stiff. He made no speech. Matters political remain still m almost a state of deadlock. The Government keep staving off the no confidence motion, and dare not ask for supplies though they are much wanted, because it would enable the Opposition to bring on the motion at once, on the speaker being moved out of thu chair. The Opposition party profess their willingness to grant supplies, but it is well known that means only with the condition of passing a vote of want of confidence m the Ministry. The Government party assert that the Governor will grant a dissolution. Yesterday the Legislative Council met for about half-an-hour, and agreed to adjourn from day to day m expectation of an Imprest Supply Bill coming v p from the Lower House. The House met at 2.30. The Premier made a statement to the effect that the Opposition, having refused all proposals for proceeding with business pending the debate on no confidence motion, for the " discussion of which the Government had expressed its readiness to make arrangement, the Ministry had decided to go on with their bills, and pass them if possible, and would take no other business until they were passed. The interrupted debate on the Electoral Bill was then taken, together with Mr. Sheehan'a amendment thereto of the previous question. After Mr. Hall and Sir George Grey had spoken, the debate was interrupted be the usual adjournment at 5.30. At the evening sitting Mr. Hall read a memorandum from the Governor respecting Sir George Grey's remarks on the acceptance of Mr. Hall's resignation of his seat m the Legislative Council. Sir George Grey admitted that the Governor's statement of what had passed was fair and correct ; but said that the memorandum did not contain all that had passed. A long discussion ensued, when Mr. De Latour moved a resolution censuring Mr. Hall for reading the memorandum ; but eventually he withdrew hia motion and the matter dropped. Mr. Hall moved the second reading or the Triennial Parliaments Bill, when Mr. Macandrew moved the previous question. During the debate that ensued, Tomoana expressed his dissatisfaction with Mr* Bryce's statement on native affairs, and said the Government must find some one else to fill his place. He then left the Government Benohes, and crossed to the other side of the House. The adjournment of the debate was then moved by the Minister of lublio Works ; but was negatived on a division by 37 to 31. The previous question was then carried on the voices. Mr. Hall said he would not accept the division as a vote of no "confidence. The House adjourned at 1.42.