PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 812, 9 November 1877, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.

—o—(Condensed from our Exchanges.) Wellington, October 30. The division on the no confidence debate will probably be taken this evening. It is believed that the Government will not be defeated. There is just a possibility of its being decided by the easting vote of the Speaker. The speeches last night were all pretty fair, except that by Air Fox, who talked upon every conceivable subject. He is very spiteful against Sir George Grey. Air Havers, who is likely not to vote, spoke on both sides, and declared he would not support an Atkinson Ministry. No Government will be satisfactory to Travers and Gisborne unless they are members of it. Air Slanders is being shepherded by the Opposition, his wants being carefully attended to. Ho seldom comes to the House except in a -carriage and pair, accompanied by. the Opposition whips, and then often secretly is put into a room and furnished with the good things of this life, and when the division bell rings comes down and votes. Airs Mandersis shown the greatest deference hy ex-Alinlsters, nice little presents frequently being left at their lodgings. Mr Ballance last night made an effective speech, announcing himself as a strong supporter of Sir George Grey’s policy. Air Reader Wood this afternoon made one of his usual hitting speeches, and was cheered, making unanswerable charges against Fox and Atkinson. If defeated Sir George Giey will ask fora dissolution, ‘hut those who are known to be in the confidence of tho Governor say that he will refuse it to Grey and give it to Atkinson if required. ALn'sters experience difficulties in obtaining information from the heads of departments. It the Government pull through they will be safe till next session. Alacandrew last night moved the adjournment of the debate, but to-day had a sudden attack of diphtheria, and is confined to 1 el. The member for Roslyn, A. J. Burns, has paired with him during his illness. Air Sheehan is also laid up with quinsey, and will nut be able to speak in the debate. October 31. The division will not take p'ace to-night, Mr Stout, and several others have to speak, and probably also Stafford, who returned to-hay. It is also understood that the pledges of Alanders and Burns to support Atkinson expire to day, and that to-morrow they will be free to vote as they like, when the probabilities are in favour of their vot’ng with tire Government. This is really the only chance the Government has of a majority, and they will therefore keep the debate going with Barff, Stout, and Alurr.ay. Stafford is expected to speak on the other side. Air Lamach’s was a very telling speech this afternoon, and AVhitaker's a most pecu'iar one, being in reality far more favourable to Grey than to the slide o'n which he was suppose 1 to be speaking. Atkinson and bis other late colleagues did not seem to like it. Al'Lean is going to attempt a reply to Larnach’s figures tonight. Alinisters are quite resolved not to resign, even it in a minority on this question, and if the Governor refuses a dissolution and dismisses them, there is pretty certain to lie a fine row. That the Governor will refu e to grant Grey a dissolution is almost certain. His action in recard >o the request to call Mr Wilson, of Napier, to the Council is a pretty good indication of the course he will adopt. November 1. The position of the no-confidence motion is unchanged. To-day both Mr Pyke and Air Hrslnp spoke well, and then a new phase was put on affairs hy Mr Stout raising the question of privilege in regard to the Governor’s conduct. Since the, papers were laid on the table last night, there has been a good deal of talk over the Governor’s extraordinary memo, and conduct, but Ministers did not like to bring the subject before the House, for fear of Sir George Grey being accused of settling to have a row with the Governor. Air Stout acted entirely on his own responsibility, and made out such a cone’nsive case of infringement of parliamentary privilege, that except a very weak protest from Air P,olle.ston (apart altogether from the merits of the case at issue), no one ventured to oppose him. Air Travers and Air Gisborne admitted tho impropriety ot the Governor’s conduct, and so did Air Fox, in reality, while saying a few words about tho ad jonrnment. It is very probable that all the leaders on both sides will before to morrow agree to some form of resolution which shall vindicate the privileges of the House without being offensive to the Governor, or making the matter at all a party question. It will, however, heft very strong caution to His Excellency.

Mr Sh 'chan and Mr Macandrew a-c both 1 natter, but neither would Lave besn able to speak to-day.

Mr Sheehan is suffering from quinsey, and Mr Macundrow baa had diphtheria. November 2. The Privilege Committoo'inet immediately after the House adjourned. The SpOaUeria Chairman. They meet again to night. There seems no doubt that the reason assigned by the Governor with reference to a debate pending in the House is a violation of Parliamentary privilece and a grave constitutional mistake. The Committee is chosen equally from the two sides of the House, but the matter is not to be made a party one. Mr Travers and Mr Gisborne, although on the opposition aide, have already expressed an opinion that the matter is a breach of privilege If the report bears this out, and da adopted, a remonstrance or address will be drawn np and probably presented to the Governor by the Speaker in person, attended by the mace and -members. Major Atkinson does not at all like-the delay of the want of confidence motion, but the fee'ing of the House was evident that no ordinary business could he proceeded with till this privilege case was settled. Of course the more refusal to appoint Mr Wilson is nothing. The appointment was only recommended by the other Ministers ami Sir George Grey on the very earnest recommendation of Colonel Wnitmoro. The course of appointing tho Committee, too, was decided on at a private meeting of the leading members of the Opposition last night, and was at once accepted by Mr Stout and his side. November 3. The Privilege Committee last night, by ten to five, decided that the Governor’s memo, was a breach of the privileges of tho House, and a report to that effect was drawn up by the Speaker, and will he presented by Mr Travers. Its adoption will be strongly opposed in the House to-morrow. A big tight may be expected on this privilege question. Major Atkinson is evidently losing ground. He wears an anxious look. He lias made several false moves, in which several of the Opposition will not join. His hunger for office is so transparent, that his efforts are weakening. He is continually in the lobbies receiving consultation from Messrs Ormond and Reid, who apparently have Mr Bums completely under command. The member for Koslyn at times shows a disposition to support the Government, but Mr Reid’s influence seems too strong, as every day since Mr Maeandrew’s illness, he has paired with the Dunedin representatives against the Government. It is understood that Mr Marnier* will make Wellington his future residence, having obtained through the influence of an'ex* Minuter an apoointment in the Union -Steam Shipping Company’s employ. It is also stated that another wavering member has received a sinrilaremployment. These bids, if true, are likely to secure the defeat of Sir George Grey’s Government. Mr Macandrew is somewhat recovered, but is yet too unwell to attend his duties. Mr Sheehan is still confined to his bed. Their loss is much felt in the House. Unless the present Government remain in power it is doubtful if the Land Bill will ■pass this session. The member for Tuapeka has been singularly fortunate this session in passing through both Houses five Bills of considerable local interest to his constituents. November 5. Mr Travers brought up the Privilege Committee’s report, and gave notice—- “ That he would move that the House concurs in the renort, and that an address embodying it he presented to the Governor.” It was thought that Mr Harper, one of tho five dissentients from the report of the Privilege Committee would in the House have moved an amendment on the motion for concurring in the report, but after taking soundings it was thought nnsa r e to do anything of the kind, and so, after Mr Travers in a v< ry temperate speech had moved the adoption of the report, no one else rose to speak, hut Mr George Al'Lean called for a division, and a large number of members left the House. Mr Travers’ motion was carried by 33 to 19. After the division, the want-of-ccnfidence motion was proceeded with. Mr W. Wood raised the question whether it was right to proceed with any further business till the Governor’s reply to tho privilege address had been received. After a remarkable speech from Mr Rees, the Speaker at 5 o’clock, with the assent of all parties, left the chair till 7.30. It is possible when the Governor’s message in reply is received, if, as is almost certain to he the case, the Governor refuses to admit himself guilty, even unintentionally, of any breach of privilege, it is by no means unlikely that Sir George Grey will announce that be can no longer remain an adviser of a Governor who seeks to override the privileges of tho House. In that case the situation will he very much complicated, and Grey will be carrying oirt tho expressed will of a majority of the House. Such a stop would place Major Atkinson in a very difficult position, ami might result in a reconstruction of tho Ministry under Sir Geo. Grey. Sir George Grey moved the adjournment of the House to allow tho Government time to consider their position. Mr M'Lean opposed this, and attributed the whole I rivilege case to lie a design of Ministers to train time. All they wanted was to escape the want of confidence motion, and resign on the privilo'e question. Air Moorhouse opnosed tho adjournment. Tho House adjourned.