PARLIAMENTARY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2927, 12 August 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, August 11, The House met at 2.30 p.m. NOTICE OF MOTION. Mr Hutchison gave notice that on going into Committee of Supply, he would move that the teaching of trades and the employment of skilled labor in gaols were regarded by this House as inimical to an enlightened system of prison discipline, and prejudicial to the interests of skilled labor in this country, and that it is desirable that such teaching shall be discontinued as soon as possible. THE NO-CONFIDENCE DEBATE. The debate on the second reading of the North Island Main Trank Hallway Loan Bill was resumed by Mr Stevens, who said he believed he would be doing the Government an injustice if he did anything to prevent them carrying out their policy, even although he did not acquiesce in that policy in every respect. They were told that none of the members of the late Government were to hold office, consequently the new Government was to bo composed entirely of new and unknown men. He asked them to imagine what it would be if the like of Mr Fish, who occupied the House the previous night for three hours, was to get a seat on those Benches. His speech throughout was a tirade of vulgar abuse, and he asked what else they might expect if such as he got into the Government. Although he would vote for the Government on this occasion, he wished it to be distinctly understood he did not fall into the arms of the latter, any more than he did into those of the Opposition. The Native Minister had done good service, but he had a piece of legislation in hand—the Native Reserve Bill—which would work great havoc.

Mr Peacock announced his intention of voting for the Government. Ho believed that the colony was not unmindful of the great service they had rendered in introducing a firm and determined question of retrenchment policy at a time when it was most required. Now that that firmness had brought about an improvement in the general aspect of affairs it would be unfair and ungenerous to unseat them. Mr George professed himself an independent member who had been brought to vote for Mr Montgomery’s resolution on the ground that he was entirely opposed to borrowing. Mr Dodson disclaimed knowing anything whatever about the paper said to have been signed pledging Mr Montgomery support. He believed in the efficacy of Government by party, but still would not sacrifice everything to party. He meant to follow Mr Montgomery into the lobby, but on the other hand he was not prepared to support any Government that might be formed by the Opposition, or as they called themselves, the Liberal party. That party, if it got into power had announced its intention of imposing a land tax instead of the property tax. He wished them distinctly to understand he was not with them on that point. He had repeatedly called upon Ministers in reference to the wants of his district. He bad always been met with respectful attention, and on no occasion did be ever see the slightest disposition on their part to influence him in the exercise of his vote. That fact bad recommended them to him a good deal

The House adjourned at 5.80 p.m., and resumed at 7.30 p.m.

The debate was resumed by Mr Fergus, who denied that any case of impeachment had been made out against the Government, or that they were deserving of censure or deposition from office. So far as he could see, the object of the Opposition was to have an “ innings,” on the ground that they had been in office long enough. He had analysed the Financial Statement in the light of the speeches delivered by Mr DeLautour and Sir John Hall, but he could find nothing in it to support the condemnation launched at it by the former.

Mr Bracken spoke againt the Government. Every principle and idea of the Opposition had been shamefully filched by the Government, They hail long thrived on the ideas of the Opposition. There was a time when it was otherwise, but now the Government was dead. Its body was there, bat it had nothing in the shape of intellectual emotion. Bat for the ideas given to them by Sir George Grey, they would be absolutely notiouless. Even its best friends could only claim for It that it was a highly respectable Government. Their retrenchment policy was alluded to, and fault was found with the irregular manner in which it was carried out. The best men of the Civil Service had been turned adrift, and underpaid clerks and porters had their wages reduced to starvation point, while well-paid officers were not interfered with. Goaded by this state of things the telegraphists went oat on strike, and this very respectable Government to punish them took steps to prevent them getting employment elsewhere. If the Government had a majority how was that majority gained? The fact was the simple word “no” was expunged from the Ministerial vocabulary. Their motto was, “Ask and you will receive.” Mr Hursthouso spoke in favor of a distinct party being formed to, put an end to the system of borrowing. Ho denied that he looked at the question from a local standpoint. He had looked at the question in the light of the coming generation, and the picture be saw was the reverse of flattering. He denied the statement that taxation was lighter now than it was 10 years ago. On the contrary it was largely increased over what it had been. Alluding to the unsatisfactory state of the colony when the Government*took office, he said that that state of things was the result of want of foresight on the part of the Grey Government, rather than its evildoing of want of capacity. Mr Montgomery was in a false position. His speech was deigned to catch non-borrowing members whereas his policy was not of that nature. Their borrowing schemes in the past bad been most demoralising

in their effect. The Liberal franchise had not produced the great improvements it was imagined it would do. It had produced no man of real talent around whom parliamentary politics might gather. Had the public works policy, as propounded by Sir Julius Yogel, been carried out in its entirety, things would have been very different from what they were now found to be.

Mr Smith was opposed to borrowing. He further objected to three years’ appropriations being put into this one year’s loan, as the circumstances of the colony were always changing, and yet this hard and fast rule was made for the period of not less than three years. Mr McKenzie spoke against the Government. He questioned the soundness of the Treasurer’s finance, and denied that restored confidence in the colony was due to the careful management of the Government. Mr J. C. Buchanan supported the Government, Mr Watt spoke on ‘the Government side. Mr Ivess spoke against the Government. Mr Fitzgerald spoke in favor of the Government. The motion for the second reading of the Loan Bill was then put. A division was called for by Mr Montgomery, and resulted as follows : - Ayes—4o. Atkinson ' Munro Beetham O’Callaghan Bryce Peacock Buchanan, W. C. Pearson Connolly Petrie Dick Postloth waite Driver Butherford Fergus Stevens Fitzgerald Sutter Pulton Sutton Green, J. Swanson Hamlin Thomson, H. Hobbs Tumble Hurst ' Watt Johnston, G. J. Whitaker • Johnston, W. Whyte, J. B. Kelly Wilson,!. Levin Wilson, J. G. Mcllraith Wright McMillan Pilliot, Noes—34 Barron McDonald Bracken McKenzie, J. Brown, J. C. Montgomery Buchanan Fyke Daniel Seddon Dargaville Sheehan Dodson Shepherd Duncan Shriraski Feldwiok Smith Fish Steward George Taiaroa Harris Tawhai Hursthouse Thomson, J. W. Hutchison Tomoana Ivess Turnbull Levestam Weston Maoandrew White W. PAIRS. Ayes—Mitchelson, Capt. McKenzie, Morris, Williams, Hall, Fulton Mason, Allwright, J. E. Brown, J. B. White, and Bolleston. Noes—Cadman, DeLautour, Moss, Te Wheoro, Bathgate, Seddon, Seaton, Grey, Tole, Holmes, M. W. Green. Mr Sutton said that he had paired with Mr Joyce, and had voted by mistake. THIS DAY. [By Telegraph.] After the division this morning there was considerable confusion about pairs. It appeared Mr Sutton’s aye had been paired with Mr Joyce’s no, and Mr J. B. Whyte's aye with Mr Holmes’ no. Through some misunderstanding both Mr Sutton and Mr Whyte voted, while Messrs Joyce and Holmes did dot vote. The Speaker allowed the explanation to be given, but said of course the House took no official recognizance of pairs, and the numbers recorded could not be altered.

On the question being pat that the Bill be now read a second time, Mr Dargaville explained that he had voted against the Government because he thought the loan might have been done without till next year and because the question was a trial of party strength. He would now support the Bill. Mr Levistam announced that now there had been a fair trial of strength he would bo no party to any further opposition. After some further discussion the motion for the second reading was carried by 45 to 24. LATER. The following was the second division list. The numbers were given as 45 to 24, but Mr Isaac Wilson, teller for the ayes, appears to have had bis own name omitted so that the correct numbers should be 46 to 24. Axes— Atkinson Beetbam Bryce W. C. Buchanan Connolly Dargaville Dick Dodson Driver Fergus Fish Fitzgerald J. Green Hamlin Harris , Hobbs Hurst C. Johnston R. Johnston Kelly Levestam McDonald Mcllraith J. McKenzie McMillan Moss Munro O'Callaghun Peacock Petrie Postlethwaite Pyke Rutherford Shepherd Stevens Steward Sutter H. Thomson Trimble Watt Whitaker J. B, Whyte I. Wilson J.G. Wilson Wright Pilliett. nobs. Allwright Barron J, C. Brown J. Buchanan Daniel Duncan Feldwiok Holmes Hurstlxouse Ivoss Joyce Montgomery Sheehan Sdrimski Smith Sutton Swanson Taxaroa Tawhaio G. N. Thomson Tomana Turnbull W. White.