LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3362, 1 October 1879, Page 2

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Wellington, Last night. The Council to-dtiy, alter appointing a large number of sessional committees and other formal business, considered the ADDUESS IN ttEPLY. The reply was brief and formal, and was moved by the Hon. Win. Woods, who supported tho different items of the Government policy. The Hon. J. Martin seconded.

The Hon. Mr Waterhouse apoke at great length condemning the policy and the actions of tbe Government, and the course pursued by them during the elections. He contended it was unconstitutional and illegal, that they had used the whole of the powers and opportunities of their position, the steamers, telegraph, &c, to further their own objects, and had so misconducted themselves, that it they bed served under the constitution of some of the American States, the Ministry could be punished by imprisonment, he took an unfavorable view of the Colony's financial position which would never be good uutil borrowing was stopped. The so-called Liberal policy had been brought forward merely as a blind to conceal from the electors the real question at issue between the last Parliament and the Government. The Hon. Mr Chamberlain spoke against the Government, and the Hon. Colonel Whitmoro spoke over an hour in defence of the Government in reply to Mr Waterhouse. The address was then carried.

A question of privilege was then raised re the Kinross case, councillors contending that the conductors of prosecution had been guiity of contempt in summoning councillors and their officers as witnesses, and in taking action on the evidence given by witnesses who were privileged when giving testimony before a committee, and could not therefore be prosecuted without the Council's assent. The Colonial Secretary deprecated the latter assertion. The question was referred to the Standing Orders' Committee. * The Habitual Drunkard Bill (Colonel Whitmore) was read a first time, after which Mr Wilson gave notice to introduce the Deceased Intestate's Bill. Mr Chamberlain said that he would ask if the Government would introduce any bill to encourage local industries, and Capt. Fraser for the appointment of a Native Affairs' Committee. The Counciladjournedat 5 p.m. till 2.30 on Friday.