CONTINUATION OF WANT OF CONFIDENCE DEBATE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXIII, Issue 9456, 23 July 1881, Page 2

CONTINUATION OF WANT OF CONFIDENCE DEBATE.

Sir George Grey heartily commiserated the position of Ministers, who had reached the end of their tether. They deserved their fate, however, for they had ever allowed circumstances to guide their policy instead of by policy creating circumstances. He denied that he was ever insane enough to propose to restore Provincialism. In national life there was no going back. What he and his friends wanted was to take a step in advance, and create something better than the old provincial institutions. He called the present system of local government with its plural voting a system devised by a certain class of men to save their illgotten wealth. He felt degraded living under such a system. He wanted to give men equal rights, and, as in America, to give them the power of making their own laws and determining the form of their own institutions. The people of every district in the colony were as capable of doing this as that House was. Again, elected Judges were no novelty ; in England many Corporations elected them. He would have more confidence in a Judge elected by the people than in one appointed by that House. His plan of government would reduce taxation to a minimutn, give all men equal rights, and offer rewards for legitimate ambition to energy, ability, and merit. He would have all the Property Tax returns made public, and the legal and other professions thrown open. He called on all who loved their ejountry and wished to give New Zealand free institutions to vote for the amendment. Mr Saunders said that when he spoke in condemnation of the Government proposals he had very little idea of what was to follow. He had, before speaking, tried privately to get the Government to withdraw or alter those proposals, but they would not budge. He defended Mr Ormond from the personal attacks made on him by Mr Wakefield and Mr Whitaker, who, he said, had also summarily dismissed him (Mr S.) from their party. He, however, would not take his dismissal, and he could not vote for the amendment, as Its effect might be to restore Sir George Grey and Mr Sheehan to office. If they and Mr Macandrew were out of the way, a true Liberal Ministry might be formed in place of the existing coalition, but he would never do anything which might have the effect of restoring them to office. Mr HxTHSTHOTTSE moved the adjournment of the debate, and the House rose at 12.50 a.m. Friday, July 22. Mr Gibbs resumed the debate on the want of confidence motion. He considered that Road Boards had done good service, and that the Counties should be placed on an improved footing. He intimated his intention of supporting the Government. Mr Eeid admitted the present system was fairly good, and he concurred generally in the proposals of Government to improve it, but contended that the Government as constituted had not the confidence of the country. He complained against Government for having neglepted the goldfields interest, more especially the West Coast of the Middle Island. What they wanted was assistance in making fresh discoveries, constructing water races, i educing fees for miners rights from 20s to 10s, and in various other ways promoting their interests and industrial pursuits. He complained that they had been charged too high a fee for the use of the Government diamond drill. He also complained that the recommendations of the Industries Commission had not been given effect to. He would vote against the Government, as he had no confidence in their carrying out their proposals. Mr Shrimski spoke on the same side. He charged Government with having neglected his district. He was opposed to the proposals brought down, and he charged the Government with dangling the Public Works portfolio for the purpose of securing support. The constitution of the proposed Local Works Board was vicious, and was framed with a view of seeming increased support to Government, Even although the noconfidence motion was not carried, the redistribution of seats as proposed would not be carried. It was planned with the i view of suiting the purposes of the Go- '

■ y vernment party. T?or examp*^ affected portion of the "W«a*°?fcl3 torate, which was represent** c friend of the Government, had ■. off and tacked on to his cons* He also complained of part l*« carrying out retrenchment. . > Mr Hursthottse cnticised i"* marks made by previous speake f * ing it out till the 5.30 adjournn (Mfl