PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 804, 14 September 1877, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.

—o—(Condensed from our Exchanges.) Wellington, Sept. 4. Although nothing definite has yet been done towards the foundation of tbe muchtalked of middle party, a feeling in that direction is very strong, aud a meeting will probably be held to-morrow. It is said that there are 25 members all willing to join it, and that a ballot will bo taken for the election of a leader. This number is in addition to the 17 who adhere closely to Sir G. Grey, and does not include several free lances, such as Mr Travers. The only weakness of the now party appears to be tbe number who aspire to the position of leaders. It is also doubtful if they can find a common platform with Grey’s party. There was DO debate on the Land Bill, aa it has to be referred to the Waste Lands Committee. With the exception of Sir G. Grey’s extravagant speech last night, the Education debate was very dreary'.

In Committee to-day there was a long talk—still unfinished—over clauso 7 regarding Inspectors. A strong feeling was expressed that the Inspectors under the Minister should not interfere with the local Inspectors under the Boards. The Government agreed to omit the last paragraph of tho clause, and in a division tho word “general” was inserted before tho word “Inspectors" in the second line, so that it will read, “general Inspectors." A now clause to defiue their duties will probably bo introduced. Mr Macandrew is going to move that the next session shall be held in Christchurch. September 5. The first meeting of the new middle or moderate party was hold to-day. Mr Thomson was in the chair, and 17 members were present. The adhesion of ten others was announced, and it was unanimously resolved to form a Constitutional Opposition, sinking all minor differences of opinion, and advocating a policy ot administrative and financial reform. No leader of the party is appointed, but its affairs are to be managed by a Committee of six, consisting of Messrs Evans, Brown, Burns, Gisborne, Lusk, Montgomery, and Thomson. In addition to the 27 moderates, Sir George Grey is supposed to have 17 followers who would avail in any vote against the Government, and there are several like Mr Stevens who are regarded as doubtful. Mr Bolleston was at to-day's meeting. No immediate attack is to be made on the Government, but they are to be closely watched, and a favourable opportunity waited for to ,try and oust them. Delegates from Christchurch, Dunedin and Wellington, on behalf of the Licensed Victuallers, had an interview with the Hon. Mr Bowen to-day. He said Government recognised the*justice of the claim for compensation if the Local Option Bill caused any house to be shut Dr Hodgkinson referred to the hint thrown out by Mr Woolcock that there were rumors of an intended dissolution. Dr Hodgkinson said he hoped that a dissolution would speedily be granted, as the House in no sense represented the real opinions of the people at large. Mr Pyke gave notice of motion for tomorrow to ask whether the Government intended to take any action in the matter of disputes between the Dunedin Education Board and the High School, by the appointment of an independent commission or otherwise. He also gave notice of a new clause in the Education Bill. September 0, There is very littlo news stirring. A good deal of real work was got through last night, biit to-day has all been taken up by George Jones and Hawkes Bay laud transactions. Mr Ormond is speaking very strongly and bitterly against Sir George Grey and Mr Rees. There is evidently a storm brewing. The Waka Maori verdict is, however, a great blow to Mr Ormond aud the Government party. The Local Option Bill is practically shelved, but Mr Fox is going to remodel it for next week. Mr Ballanee has given notice of a compensation clauso, by which, when a house is closed, those taking action in the matter are to give’security for the amount of compensation, and it is to ho arrived at in such manner as the Chairman of the Licensing Court may determine. September 7. The House was occupied chiefly on the resumed debate on the Hawkes Bay Land Transaction. Tho Daily Times correspondent says : No such scene as that which occurred last night has ever before been recorded in tho annals of our Parliament. There was a concentrated essence of bitterness, a cool deliberate calculating intensity of malignity about the Hon. Mr Ormond’s attack on Sir George Grey and Mr Rees, which was really enough to make one shudder. It was no sudden explosion of passion, for Mr Rees sai 1 not an offensive word, and very few of any sort in proposing Ida motion. Mr Ormond spoke with deliberate purpose, and fortunately the House has seldom been disgraced by such a personal onslaught, making every possible allowance for the bitter, and probably groundless attacks to which he and his colleagues have from time to time been exposed by Sir G. Grey and Mr Rees. Mr Sheehan’s reply was impulsive and decisive, but the middle portion, which consisted chiefly of extracts from the Hawkes Bay Commission report, was rather weak. Captain Russell spoke in a calm gentlemanly manner, and then, when it seemed that the debate for the night was over, there arose the question of producing the letters which Mr Ormond quoted, as implicating Sir G. Grey in certain land transactions. When reading them, Mr Ormond distinctly promised they should be produced if required, but then declined. Mr Whitaker prevaricated in every possible way, and resorted to all sorts of evasions, for which he and his colleagues were severely taken to task. Major Atkinson said, if the House ordered it, Government would produce the letters, aud oa certain conditions the House did order that, Mr Whitaker and Mr G. M'Lean voting with the minority, and other Ministers with the majority. To-day, although the conditions were not complied with, Mr Whitaker laid the letters on the table ; but as the question was raised whether he did so as a member of tho Government, and as Major Atkinson said ho did not, and the statement was confirmed by Mr Whitaker, the Speaker declined to receive the letters, and they were returned to Whitaker. In speaking on the subject to-day, Mr Pyke said the honor of the House had been outraged day a Minister of the Crown reading private letters which had been surreptitiously obtained. The person who had done this deserved expulsion from the Ministry, the House, and the society of gentlemen. This was strong language, but it commanded the evident sympathy of a large section of tho House. The debate at present stands adjourned. It is difficult to conceive that Mr Ormond and Sir 0. Grey can both remain members.

One or the other must be an outrageous liar. Tho Speaker has behaved admirably through most trying circumstances, and all respectable people deeply regret tho exhibition which has taken place and the position of affairs. The New Zealand Parliament never before sunk so low. The feeling of the House ia decidedly against tho Ministers in the matter, and so is public opinion outside. September 3. Sir G. Grey’s speech last night was wonderfully calm and temperate. Mr Stout made some good points, but his eulogy on Sir George Grey should have made its object exclaim—“ Save mo from my friends.” Mr Whitaker evidently spoke under strongly suppressed emotion or passion. Ho was following Mr Ormond’s lead in utterly unjustifiable reference to Mr Rees’private affairs when Messrs Wood and Wakefield interfered, and the Speaker called Mr Whitaker somewhat sharply to order, ruling such personalities utterly irregular. Mr Whitaker subsequently apologised. Mr Wakefield’s speech, which commenced at midnight, was probably the most brilliant piece of invective ever delivered in the House. Both'in matter and manner, it was admirable, and, as Messrs Ormond, Atkinson, Whitaker, Russel, and iSntton successively came under the lash, they abso-. lutely writhed. ; * The announcement of thc J rcsultof the division on Mr Whitaker’s proposedaddition to the motion caused opposition cheers, and the Government ami their supporters looked blue at the defeat. In addition to the 51 who voted there were seven pairs, four Opposition men, and two Government men, accidentally absent. A motion will he tabled early next week, probably by Mr Montgomery, that an immediate change of Government ia desirable and necessary. This is the form decided on in preference to a direct No Confidence motion in deference to the wishes of one or two members. An absolute majority is sure, and probably when victory is secured its fruits will be laid at the feet of Sir Wm. Fitzlierbert. On the Hawkes Bay Committee the Government' will be defeated, probably by a small majority, and it is rumoured that if they are, they will resign at once, but this is not Certain.