PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 343, 31 October 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

At the afternoon sitting of the Houso of Representatives on Tuesday—

Mr Fulton, Chairman of the Christchurch Election Petition Committee, brought up a report, finding Sir G. Grey occupied the seat illegally. MrTole moved—"That the report and proceedings lie on the table until enquiries are made as to whether or not the proceedings of the Committee had been done according to law." He stated that, on the votes being taken, one member neglected to record his until the following day, thereby, exposing himself to the the risk of being tampered with. Mr Fulton said that the statement made in support of the motion was not in accordance with the facts cf the case. Sir G. Grey argued that, having been returned by the votes of 1350 electors, if unseated and Mr Richardson's election confirmed, the electors Would be practically disfranchised. • The motion was negatived on the voices, and the report ordered to be placed on tho official records of the House. The Eon E. Richardson's presence -was then summoned, and he was formally inducted into the seat for Christchurch. Mr Hislop gave notice of a question relative to the terms made by Government for securing the support of the four Auckland members, together with all particulars of the works upon which the money said to have been promised for that support was to be spent. The Hon J. Hall tabled a document in conformity with a motion calling upon Government to produce all correspondence that had passed between the Government and the four Auckland members, dealing with the conditions upon which their support was obtained. The document was read, stating that no such correspondence was found in connection with the official records. Sir G. Grey stated that the document was simply an evasion, asserting that it was well known that correspondence had passed between the said parties. Mr Hamlin moved the election of a Select Committee to enquire into the matter, with power to call for persons and papers, and take evidence on oath. The Hon J. Hall maintained that the motion was irregular, inasmuch as it aimed at the production of a document which formed no part of the public business. Mr Swanson said that, so far as he was concerned, he had no objection whatever to the production of the correspondence. Mr Colbeck defended his conduct in the affair, and charged the Opposition with having deposed Sir George Grey from the leadership, when in point of fact he. waa the only one who could lead them. Finding the public business obstructed, and no apparent chance of being proceeded with he had gone over to the side of the Government for the sole purpose of solving the difficulty that had. arisen.

The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment. On the motion to go into Committee of Ways and Means.

Mr Macandrew said in consequence of his party having been deserted by certain members on whom they depended, he had determined upon withdrawing the No-Confidence motion standing in his name.

The Hon J. Hall, in acquiescing in the application, said tfcat'all Government had aimed at was to allow their policy to be brought before the country.

After passing a formal resolution allowing the issue of a Deficiency Bill the House resumed on the No-Confidence motion, but as Mr Macandrew did not wish to move it, the Speaker declared it lapsed. The Orders of the Day were then resumed, and Mr Rolleston moved the second reading of the Land Act Amendment Bill, the debate on which proceeded till it was. interrupted by the 10.30 adjournment. On Wednesday afternoon Sir G. Greygave notice of a Bill to prevent corrupt practices in Parliament. Mr Moss gave notice of motion that the honorarium payable to members be fixed by statute.

Replying to questions— The Premier said a book on Polynesia was being prepared, \on the order of tho late Premier. The recommendations of the Dunedin Law Society to simplify and lessen the expense of procedure in the higher courts are to be acted on. The cost of the late general election paid out of the public exchequer would be furnished to the House.

Mr Rollest'on promised to consider tho question of instituting registry offices in connection with police stations, and affording facilities for the transmission ofstelegraphic communication. The Government would hot this seesion empower Education Reserves Cbmmisaioners to deal with lands under . their -„ control through Waste Land Boards, investing the proceeds.

. The Government thought a proper committee should be appointed to report on the Government banking arrangements.

The interrupted debate on the motion of Sir G. Grey fdr a copy of correspondence relative to the alleged compact betwee.n. the Government and the four Auckland members, was continued. After some discussion the motion was negatived by 38 to 25. The "following motion; tabled by Mr M'Lean, was called on—" That on account of the hardening effect the exemption from all taxation has had on the human mind, the Island of Kawau be included within the boundaries of the County of Rodney."

Sir G. Grey complained of the unfairness of such a motion being tabled and the mover not presenting himself to support it. Kawa% he maintained, was properly exempted from the County system. He had been instrumental in defeating an attempt on the part of Messrs M'Lean and Whitaker to secure a large tract of Native lands on unfair terms, and ever since this they had pursued him (Sir George) with unrelenting hostility. "Days ago Mr M'Lean spoke of scandals being disclosed against the late Government, but no snch revelation had been made. He thought members should be protected from such gratuitous insults.

Sir George's speech was interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment. At the evening sitting, afters several Bills (mostly of a local nature) had been advanced a stage— , Mr Macandrew rose to a question, of privilege in connection with the motion' tabled by Mr M'Lean re the joining of the Island of Kawau with the adjoining County, and allowing the motion to lapse. It was a gross insuit to one of the most distinguished members of the House. He proposed to table a motion censuring Mr M'Lean's conduct. ' -

The Speaker ruled him out of order, and refused to allow the question to be discussed or the motion put.