Telegraphic News.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 524, 22 July 1881, Page 3

Telegraphic News.

PARLIAHENb'iRY ~

; (By Telegraph)

■': (Special to The/Mail.) Wellington, July 21. Yesterday the Licensing Bill (from the Lower House) was read a first time in the Legislative Council, and, with the exception of reading the Wellington Queen's Wharf Sale Bill, the Regulation of Elections Bill, and the Oamaru Harbor Bill a second time, no business of importance was transacted. In tho Lower House last night Mr Macandrew gave notice that he would move for the appointment of a Committee to consider the best means for establishing direct steam communication between New Zealand and Great Britain. In the absence of Mr Fulton, Mr Levistam resumed the debate on the I motion for the second reading of the Crown and Native Lands Rating Bill. The Government have accepted this as a want of confidence debate. Mr Collins defended Ministers, eulogising their administration as wise and good. He contended that their proposals wers anything but revolutionary, and taking into consideration their pre- . vious actions, and their determination ; to carry out their schemes for local j government for the best interests of the . Colony, the Government would have' his warm support. j Messrs Murray, Turnbull, Te Wheoro,] and Tawhai followed, the latter remark- I ing that the action of the Treasurer j reminded him of Ahab, when he coveted Naboth's vineyard. Such were the wishes of Major Atkinson that he (Atkinson) was anxious to taste the sweets of Native lands. He would like to see a millstone tied round the neck of the Bill. Mr Wakefield said he would like to see the Ministry bring down a bolder scheme than they had done. Mr Wood opposed the Government proposals on two grounds ; first, they involved additional taxation, and second, further borrowing. In the course of a long thy speech Mr Wood pointed out although money was never go cheap still it did not warrant so much "puff" on the part of the Ministry, as it was well known Unit when trade was good money was anything but cheap. Within the the last few years wages had decreased from fifteen to twenty per cent. It was a bad sign that millions of money in sovorigns had to be sent to England out of the loan. Out of the balance of the Public Works Fund a sum of £200,000 should, he thought, be . employed in opening lands. He proposed to take the opinion of tho House on a proposal of that kind at on early date. The resolution he should propose provided that money should be allocated amongst the difierent districts, £50,000 north of Auckland, £50,000 to Wellington, and so on, and the rest to be allocated amongst the different districts. In the allocation he would purposely leave Taranaki out as there was no room for expenditure in that favored Province! The House adjourned at 1215. The Government if defeated, it is said will resign, and will not appeal to the country, but Ministers seem confident of a majority.

("PROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT,]

Wellington, July 21. The supporters of Mr Ormond's amendment count confidently on 41 votes, and probability ot obtaining some of the doubtful votes. Government bave been putting up their men one after the other this afternoon to gain time. ■ The opposition also wish time, as Messrs .Driver, Pyke and Finn cannot be here thif! week, the debate will therefore probably bo oairioc! ovur .-ill Tuesday ruy..f.. Gone of ilia members of tho Hgvci'nmciit except 31;' Job-istcm. ha v 'C yet i i;l _,i ;,o d'vblirl ii.uc:: Th--; wl'l L; ■;r.-',' •:.:v;;o. GjG ?.■:<_..«.'<.■.£,>