PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 801, 24 August 1877, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.

—n - Wkm.isoton, August 14. Early to-day it was reported that Mr Pyke and Mr Laniaeh having arrived, tho Government, by most industrious lobbying, had secured a hare majority against their own Bill, or, rather, in favor of the discharge of tho Order of the Day for the resumed debate on the Native Lands Bill, Mr Ballanee’s amendment on the Order, when the Houser met, was called on. Tho Hou. Major Atkinson moved its discharge ; but tins move was cleverly met, and the Government given cheek to agaiu by Mr Lusk moving the addition of words substantially embodying Mr Ballancc’s amendment, On this, the whole debate was reopened. How it will end, no one can say lor a certainty. When a division comes, it will he very close, but the Governmo it has s iIL-red dreadfully iu prestige. It is rumoured that it is not unlikely Mr Macandrew will shortly table a direct vote of want of confidence. Mr Wakefield has tabled a series of resolutions, to be moved in going into Supply, to tlie effect that all land should hereafter he disposed of on the system of free selection, at not less than 1,2 per acre, and that one-fifth of the revenue should he paid for certain purposes to the local governing Board, and the remaining four-fifths to be colonial consolidated revenue. MrC. S. Beeves had an interview with the Minister for Public Works this morning, regarding Gie Strathtaicri Railway, and learned from him that the Government have it still under consideration, tho peculiar favorable circumstances connected with it requiring great consideration, and that the Government will indicate their views in replying to Mr Maeaudrew’s motion. August 15. In the House to-day Mr Burns will ask whether steps arc being taken to enforce payment of overdue rates from the present owners of the Wakatip runs. Mr Reynolds is to ask whether the Government will move the Imperial Government to p ! acc Maeqnarrie Island under the control of the Colonial Government. Mr Macandrew is to ask tho Premier by whose authority the now Museum at Dun- : edin was opened on Sunday. 1 Mr Stout’s motion relative to the election i f the Governor by tlie people will probably ■ come on to-night ; also the interrupted debate on tlie question of rescinding free passes on railways to members. There arc j 1(1 questions and 21 notices of motion, in- 1 eluding the 1 Waka Maori’ question, and 19 orders of tho day ou the pajier tor to-day. Sir George Grey gave notice that in Committee of Supply he would move—“ That in the opinion of this House the present system of taxation presses unfairly upon different classes of society, and with a view* to a change in tho system the duties on tea, suvar, coffee, and other necessaries of life, and some clothing, should lie abolished, and the loss to tlie revenue he made up in part by imposing a tax upon incomes above a certain value per annum, and upon all real property iu tho Colony.” In reply to a question by Mr Reynolds, the Hon. tho Premier stated that the Government could not at present see their way to grant a donation to efficient fire brigades upon tlie estimated xaluo of the Government buildings in their respective districts. lie was not, however, prepared ■ to say that a grant would not bo made on further consideration. Iu reply to a second question from the same member, the Hon. Mr M'Lean stated that the Government would move in tho direction of having Maequarrio Island placed under Colonial Government control. I ho Minister for Public Works informed Mr Reynolds that facilities would bo at the Otago Dry Dock for the removal of steamers’ hollers requiring repairs. August 1(1. SirG. Grey and Mr Ormond will speak to-night on the Native Lands Bill. Judging from a preliminary skirmish to-day over a motion of Mr Murray’s about the report of the Petitions Committee on a Hawkes Bay mad, very warm work may he expected. Sir G. Grey and Messrs Rees, Atkinson, and Ormond all spoke strongly to-day, and there was quite a little scene. Major Atkinson was particularly excited, and was rebuked by the Speaker for setting a bad example to the House. Matters will probably conic to a crisis to-night over those Hawkes Bay land matters. Too House is getting tired of tho constant recriminations on the subject. A rumor, lias Ibcon current to-day. but it is not correct, that the Hon. Mr Whitaker was going to resign in consequence of his colleagues abandoning tho Native Lauds Bill. The 1 <oeal Option debate last night was a good one, Mr Ballance and Mr Stout making particularly good speeches. It is evident the Bill will not pass iu anything like its present shape.

I'll tli ' House resuming at l.'M this i cvndng, thu ll'in. Mr Whitaker brought I imdw its notice iw a ease of privilege aujf ar ielu in the < kunarii Mail of the Kith, re- i Heeling mi hjnisulf in nmucctkm with Native < lands legislation, lie had never noticed personal attacks on himself in newspapers, hut in this ease others wore concerned, and, I in justice to his colleagues and the House, he felt hound to bring this before the House, 1 as in the accusations therein made there 1 were reflections on the House. Ho moved 1 that the publisher, George Jones, juur., be ; ordered to attend at the liar of the House. ' Ho did this because ho was hound to conclude with a motion, hut ho would leave 1 the matter entirely in the hands of the House. He read Hie articles, and denied • all knowledge of the alleged facts. The 1 whole thing from beginning to end was ah- 1 solntely false and untrue. His object in 1 bringing the matter before the House was to say this. Mr Menders rose next to com- ' plain of havin'.' been also libelled in certain Otago panels, but was ruled out of order. Mr Wakefield said the House ought to lie fully acquainted with all the facts before it was asked to say whether it was a breach of privilege or not. Mr Wakefield is still speaking I The Wellington correspondent of the Tress telegraphs Considerable satisfaction is expressed as to the results shown in the Public Works Statement, but the pro- 1 pos.als for the coming year are considered 1 paltry, main lines being sacrificed to local ! ones ” " 1 1 August 17. Mr Fox’s Local Option Hill, notwithstanding the fact of its being an arbitrary and one sided measure, seems to gain support from all parts of the Colony. To-day Mr Fox presented no fewer than 10 Humorously signed petilions supporting the hill, Ot ego and Southland showing up well amongst others from various parts of the Colony. There seems to be no end ot obstruction to business. Another tight will come on tonight in all probability. Sir George Grey has asked to bo supplied with a report of the row of yesterday afternoon, during which the Premier challenged him to place on paper and repeat outside the alleged slanders he continually uttered in the House. Sir 1 ieorge intimated that he would have something to say on the subject to-night as a matter of privilege. There will yet he more fuss over the fpiestion of the Government dealings in native lands on the Hast Coast. Mr Sheehan has given notice that lie will, on the 23rd instant, move for a committee of inquiry into the Government laud purchase in Poverty Hay in connection with the petition of Mr J. A. Wilson, late land purchase commissioner. This motion is in consequence of the delay of the Government in bringing down the report of the commission of inquiry into the Wilson-Rogan case. I>r Pollen had promised that a report should be brought down as soon as printeik It is understood it will take quite 14 days to print it. Mr Sheehan tlao gave notice that he would ask the Government when they proposed to bring down tiieir bill to prevent private speculation in native lands. Sir George Grey did not, as proposed, refer to the breach ot privilege on the part of the Premier, as he proposed to do, this afternoon. Ho resumed his speech on the motion relative to the incidence of taxation. He rose amidst very lend cheering, but up to eight o’clock bad only recapitulated what he had said during the afternoon sitting. August 18. The debate last night was animated and interesting. Sir George Grey, in summing up, repeated a great deal of what, ho had said; hut on the whole spoke temperately ami well. Major Atkinson was rattier vicious in his defence, and in reality spoke more against Mr Howen’s amendment than Sir George Grey. Mr Harper came forward boldly as the champion of property, and was backed up by Mr Hunter. Mr Pyke spoke well, and carried the House with him when he spoke of the Ministry imitating Pistol swearing, hut eating the leek to keep them iu their places. Messrs Montgomery and Stout made good speeches. Ministers will, in the lirst instance, be bound to vote for Sir George Grey’s amendment against what is now Mr Wooleock’s substantive motion, as, if the latter were carried, no further statement could be made. When Sir George Grey’s becomes a substantive motion, Mr Howeu will move his amendment, and it is said other amendments will in turn be moved on it. The Government, however, have a majority in favor of piisipouiug all legislation till next session, but they are disgusting their supporters. Align'd 20. There was on Saturday a meeting of members representing the goldfields Counties, for the purpose of taking steps to have certain doubtful points as to goldfields’ revenue, payable to the Counties under the Financial Arrangements Act, cleared up. A deputation to the Premier was appointed. The Government \gill have a majority of at least twelve iu favor of Mr Bowen’s amendment.