WELLINGTON.

Evening Star, Issue 3880, 31 July 1875, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

[By Telegraph.] (From our own Correspondent.) Wellington, July 30. Mr T. L. Shepherd’s Goldfields Bill is postponed for the purpose of obtaining a legal opinio i as to whether tho Bill will he operative without the insertion of a new clause giving compensati m to persons whose property is injured by minimr. Sir George Grey continues to show a woeful inacquaintance with parliamentary proceedings. To day, during the discussion on the Imprest Supply Bill, while Mr Fitzherbert was speaking, l)r Pollen was standing on the floor of the House behind the Ministers’ table conversing with Sir D. M'Lean, upon which Sir George got up and called the chairman’s attention to the fact that “ a member of the Upper House was directing a Minister,” and asked if that was in order. Mr O’Korke, amid laughter, t replied that it was not an unusual course.

It is said Sir George Grey declined the leadership of tho Opposition because of his uncertainty with regard to parliamentary practice, and that Mr Fitzherbert leads in consequence. On the Abolition Bill, the Opposition will probably try to force three or four weeks’ delay between the Government explanations and debating the measures.

There are premonitory signs of an approaching storm. When the Government brought down the Impioat Supply Bill to-day, Mr Reader Wood strongly urged that it should not be passed until the financial condition of the country was explained ; and he was warmly supported by Mr Fitzherbert, who flatly charged Sir J. Vogel with having deceived the House in matters of finance, and the present Government with participating in the deception—though innocently, because they knew nothin" about it. He said the [true state of affairs would never be known until another set of men was on the Government benches. Mr Wood repeated the charges of deception by Sir J. Vogel, and wound up with this philippic : “ I ahqu'd be ashamed to do such a thing as to forward in a surreptitious manner at this time a vote of want of confidence under tho subterfuge of a motion for an adjournment. If I felt there were strong signs of want of confidence in the members of that bench—and I tell this Committee there are such signs arising in every direction—instead of doing so by a subterfuge I would do so by an op u declaration. Whether or not such will be necessary I do not know hut, at any rate, I say this—and I say it distinctly—that with regard to finance and administration, fr in what I have seen by the loan correspondence; from the disgraceful correspondence with reference to Feathcrstou—(Opposition cheers); from what I have seen in my

position in the Executive of Auckland Province, the Government is utterly incapable of administering the affairs of the Colony.’' In the Council yesterday, - the Premier gave a most emphatic denial to the statement that the Bank of New Zealand ever had, or ever pretended or attempted to have any undue influence over the Government.

He verting to Sir J. Vogel’sposilion the ‘Tribune ’ says that even if it is as weak as the Opposition believe it to be, the public business could be transacted by him, nevertheless. The negotiation of the loan and of the postal and telegraphic arrangements was perfectly legal and unimpeachable, inasmuch as he held a special authorisation empowering him to act in those respects on behalf of the Colony. July 31. The Financial Statement last night was listened to with rapt attention, and the general verdict is that Major Atkinson acquitted himself well, presenting the accounts in the clearest light. His defence of Sir J, Vogel, re the loan negotiations, and his declaration of the Government’s opinion that the_ transaction was marvellously good, elicited loud cheers. His proof of the Colony’s paying interest on loans out of revenue, and the firm declaration of the Government to insist that the landed estate should not be sacrificed, dissipated, or the proceeds misapplied, called forth loud expressions of approval. Major Atkinson’s allusions to the financial condition of Auckland elicited general cheers, but Sir George Grey met each affirmative assertion of the Treasurer with a loud “ No,” to which the Ministerial side replied by counter cheers.

The Opposition will make a fierce onslaught on the Government proposals, but unless they show that the figures and estimates are wrong, abolition is sure to gain many converts. Many professed Provincialists say that if they can see how the means are to be got they will go in for abolition; but they have before them Sir J. Vogel’s promise in 1870 of the 40s capitation allowance, which next year he said would be reduced to 15s.

{From a Correspondent.) , „ July 31. A meeting of members at the Premier’s ir. just (l.bO p.m.) over. Forty-five were present and eight adherents absent. They agreed to the principle of the Abolition Bill. On th<» second reading some objections will be made by the Auckland men against thelocalisiug of the land fund, but they are not serious. The Otago members sitting on the rail are now right, Mr Reader Wood, now Provincial Treasurer of Auckland, has seceded. Mr Donald Reid’s reign is over. There is immense enthusiasm over the Abolition Bill,