NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 853, 23 August 1878, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

(Continued /com our ia.<t.) Wellington - , August Id. The debate on the Electoral Rill last night was not a particularly brilliant or interesting one. Sir George Grey spoke for about three-quarters of an hour, and very eloquently, hut it was evident that he was suffering consilerably from pain. Of the other speeches, that of Mr Saunders was decidedly the best. He is an addition to the debating power of the House. Them is some talk going on of a vote of thanks being moved in the House to Sir Julius Vogel for his services in connection with the loan negotiation and his continuous efforts to promote the interests of the Colony. The matter has not yet assumed definite shape, hut it will probably como to something to-day. Thera was a long and acrimonious discussion over M r Fox’s motion for a return of Government advertising. A somewhat

similar motion cropped up in the Council in tho Public Libraries Bill by Mr Hall moving tho omission of tho clause requiring notices of meeting to bo advertised. It was pointed out that tho Press usually gave free copies to these institutions; but on a division the provision was omitted by a majority of one.

Mr Vincent Pyke has given notice of a motion for tho immediate survey of au extension of. South Taieri Railway to Cromwell and Lake Wanaka.

Mr Fox is going to ask the Government if they have received any answer from Lord Beaconsfield regarding tho result of the Congress.

Mr Barton has intimated his intention of moving that the House has reason to believe that tho administration of Justice in the Supreme Courts in the North Island is not satisfactory. He is also going to draw attention to the O’Connor case.

The committee on John Goodfeliow’s petition in regard to certain works done by him in Otago some years ago has reported that, he is entitled to L4OO, and the Government have promised [to put the sum on Estimates. August 15. Quite an eruption of notices affecting Wellington interests appear over the notice paper, bearing the name of an Otago member of well-known idiosyncrasies, and evinc-ing-.great anxiety as to tho welfare of the Metropolis. Considerable curiosity has been .excited in consequence as to the cause, and tit -appears that the hon. member had called at the Mayor’s office to see His Worship, who was not in, whereupon the hon. member interviewed the Town Clerk, and after delicately introducing his requirements asked for a small loan. This not being forthcoming ho expressed his intention of making himself acquainted in his place in the House with civic affairs, and the dealings of the Government and the city in tho matter of tho reclamations, &o. The eruption is th« consequence. The scene in the House last night over the Government advertising was particularly lively. Mr Fox, who seems to still entertain the right to a monopoly in making stinging remarks, had given free vent to venom against tho Government, but his statements of facts were mercilessly analysed and disproved seriatim by Mr Stout. It was, however, resolved by Mr Rees to flay him alive, and anything like the operation 1 have novel witnessed. Mr Fox fairly writhed in his seat, and the House roared with laughter.

Mr M ; Lean made a series of statements of a most untruthful character, retailing old slanders, so often disproved, as to his valuable newspaper investment being in existence when the Times tender for the gazetting was accepted. He bad the hardihood to re-hash Mr Ormond’s slander about Sir George Grey of the 250,000 acres of native land. Sir George Grey three times denounced him as uttering a “foul slander," and knowing it to be so, and dared him to hive an enquiry. The picture of M'Lcan under the lash was a study. His face was painful to look at. Ho swallowed his words, and disclaimed having made the statement a nidst “ Ohs” from all sides of the House.

Mr Whitaker’s Electoral Bill is causing no serious interest. In compliment to him the House is discussing it, but it is well known it will not bo read a second time. Its complication affords a fund of infinite amusement, which, restrained in tho House, finds vent outside, where members aiscmble in clusters and discuss its opera, tons. [t gets the cold shoulder even from Whitaker’s own friends.

Thero is nothing in the shape of organisation attempted hy the Opposition, who content themselves with putting offensive questions on the Order Paper, with the object of worrying the Government. This is repaid with compound interest, and the scenes are sometimes exceedingly lively. Mr Whitaker’s speech last night was very tedious and involved. Both his speech and his Bill were remorselessly torn to p eoes hy Mr Stout, whose illustrations wore of the ridiculous and absurd character.

Mr Barton caused considerable amusement by showing the inconsistencies between Mr Wakefield’s speech on the Electoral Bill and his speech to his constituents at Tiraaru.

There is literally no news stirring. the debate on the second reading of the Gold Duty Abolition Bill, Mr Handers sail! he would have to oppose the Bill, inasmuch as it was not shown how the Counties were going to recoup themselves if they abolished this tax. There could bo no doubt the tax was unjust and unfair. Mr Pyke would support the Bill if he felt certain that the miners would get any benefit from the abolition at all, but he would not if it would only be the companies and the hanks who w'oukl reap the benefit of abolishing the tax. They must hear this in mind, that a compact had been made between the Government and the Counties in this matter, and if this tax was abolished, a tax would have to be imposed on mining machinery. It was manifestly better to tax productive capital than unproductive. Practically ho maintained that ’the gold duty was already abolished, and the tax under consideration was merely imposed to reach a class who could not Jbe reached in ,inv other way. He had asked his own constituents it they wished the tax removed, hut they were perfectly apathetic over tho matter. It was said that wool was not taxed, hot the wool grower would bo quite satisfied to pay a tax on wool provided his property remained nntaxed as with miners. The Bill was thrown out on a division by 35 to 31, Mr Fyke voting for it. August 16. Mr Pyke presented a petition from the Catholics of Otago and Southland praying that their schools may bo placed on tho same footing as other schools. Mr Pyke gave notice to move for a return of the number of free railway passes issued.

Mr Pyke asked if the Government would Cause a survey to be made of a line from Clyde to Cromwell and the Lakes, on a continuation of tho Otago central railway via Strathtaiori ?

The hon. J. Macandrew said the question would be answered in tho Public Works Statement.

A movement is on foot for carrying a substantial vote as a testimonial to Sir .lulius Vogel in recognition of his services to the Colony.

It it not improbable that a friendly amendment in favor of a general tax on all realised property w ill be moved on the Government taxation proposals.

The House went into Committee of Supply, and a number of salaries were passed.