PARLIAMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 4152, 17 June 1876, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Mi tic* war

In the House of Representatives yesterday,' J". .-.., ;.-.'.v....... '";.: Cl i Sir George Grey asked that the standing orders be suspended in order that the following notice of motion be given, namely, that the Government be requested not to sanction the sale of any lands, or take any'steps whatever under orders in Council, 12th June, 1876, published in the 'Gazette," making regulations for the sale of certain lands known as Piako Swamp, until the House has had the opportunity of discussing said-orders in Council. It was not his intention to dis cuss the legality or illegality of the sale; he merely wished to prevent a great public wrong being done beyond repair. .. Mr Stout seconded.the motion for*BUspension. .' ';'"'.

Sir Julius Vogel #aid it was a most unusual time to make such a motion- There was no desire to evade discussion on the question, hut there was plenty of time yet. Mr Macandrew wanted an assurance from the Government that no action would be taken towards completing the sale for the present. Sir J. Vogel said the matter had been dealt with by the Crown in the ordinary course, and anything that could be said could not affect the matter. •;

After some discussion, The motion was put and carried by 3' against 26. The following is the division list:—

Ayes, 37: Baigent, Barff, Bastings, Brandon, Brown J. C, Bonny, Burns, Bnttoa, Curtis, Da Latour, Dignan, Fisher, Grey, Hamlin, Joyce, Kennedy, Larnaeh, Lusk, Macandrew, Macfarlane, Montgomery, Murray, Nahi, O'Borke, Bees, Bowe, Seaton, Shrimski, Stevens, Stout, Swanson, Tole, Thomson, Wakefield, Wason, Wood E.G., Wood W. Noes, 26: Andrew, Atkinson, Ballanoo, Boweu, Carrington, Cox, Fitzroy, Gibbs, Heury, Hunter, Hunthouse, Johnson,. Kelly, Manders, Sir D. M'Lean, M'Lean G., Mdorhouse, Murray-Aynsley, P/k'j, Beynolds, Richardßon, Richmond, Seymour, Sharp, Stafford, Tawhiti, Teschemaker, .Yogel.

Sir G. Grey then moved the resolution itself. Mr Stout Beeonded the motion.

Sir J. Vogel said there appeared to be a misunderstanding in the matter. The Government were quite prepared to go into%he. whole question, as they held themselves responsible for what, had been done, but they wanted no unfair action to: be taken. If defeated, they would be in the position usually occupied by Governments who • suffered a defeat. He assured the House, however, that there was no necessity for precipitancy, as the question would be in precisely the same position in which it was now in ten days' time. Mr Macandrew regretted that the' Premier had not made this explanation before. Mr Bowen said it was placing the Ministry in an unfair position. It was in a manner like taking a snap-shot at them. Mr Bees asked why should the Government attempt to smuggle the matter by a ' Gazette' that some oftheir own supporters had not seen? He maintained that, every single regulation in connection with this matter had been deliberately violated. He believed he was correct in stating that only within the last few weeks several thousands of acres of very valuable land adjoining the Piako Swamp [omission in telegram]. If the ..arrangement were just, no doubt both sides of the House would join in affirming the action of the Government; if not, ffaey would set their foot upon it, even should itinvolve the resignation of Ministers. . Mr Button said he had heard such charges : made against the Government in this matter that it was only fair to them that a thorough investigation be made. If the charges were well-founded the Government deserved severe reprobation S if no% those who. made such charges merited .the. .keenest censure, ' He felt certain that' the Government could give an explanation of their conduct; but, although a Government supporter, he would not countenance anything that he could not see to the bottom of. He therefore desired there should be no hoodwinking, and that the whole matter should be ventilated. He hoped that Sir G. Grey would accept the I suggestion made, and postpone the matter, as many of the new arrivals in the House ■were without any information on the point. The Hon. Mr Atkinson said that the remarks of the last speaker justified the attitude taken by the Premier. -While admitting to a leaning towards the Government, he (Mr Button) was yet so influenced by lobby rumors that ho as well as other followers of the Government believed the mere ex part* statements of the leader of the Opposition, and defeated the Government on their first division of the session. The motion struck at the very foundation of the Ministry, and made the question resolve- itself into this: that the Ministry were, or were not, fit to administer the ordinary departmental affairs of the country. Though he was in no way connected with the transaction, he Jbad examined into it, and was prepared to say that no Government could, under the circumstances, have made a better bargain. He wished the House distinctly to understand that he would delay nothing in connection with the preparation of the Crown- grants because of the motion of the leader of the Opposition. ..-.-, .-. v> Mr Wakefield entirely dissented from the., view taken by the Minister of Immigration that many membwfi had voted agsinst the

hsd asisquently, not fcave, teei put j or, liquid have been revrtuoij rafewsped. the motion would; be wfch#r*wn, K& I**?, "n* pwuribl&ttiey could *ppNf dncuaiion u ton the subject at tut Jfuft/ / Mr J6yce hope4*bM &*»s* wtftild be pressed to a foviirionV%p&ally /Iter the defiant attitude of the Minister Inimigration. Mr Sharp thought the mode in which the motion was put placed a false issue before the House. - Mr the blot properly, for the motion lecmeorto him to be putting Ministers uponibeir trial, and with a vengeance. If the action of this *alewerelM setting it and of I for any misdoing "ptHitvit was vary unwise to begin interfering at that early period -of the eeeeion with what was v pttiely departmental. " "' - : .' l '- '''Cl' d a Mr Swanson quoted from the Journals of the House to show that ifce *3k>v«rfcmeit had siren the House the asSttTanee %hat r lihey Would bring down a" Bttt t* Piako said. /'!'.'_ Mr Montgomery would, natliTO voted for the motion if the Rfexmer had givefa«he explanation when first daked that, h* did afterwards. He fcoped that tb* mtion would be withdrawn *m the assurance' of sho Premier that the matter would be inthe some position ten or. twelve days Mr Wood said that* aMoordmg^to •s«■*' derstandingcometolaiftaeaston) the maimer was to be held in abeyance jwitil ***£s" Parliament had an opportunity for oonsJdiring the whole matter.-r-t on » ««M fromMiUuiterial benches.) Here was a case where the money, was, paid, and a Grown gtant was to beißsuedinafortaiight ViHio o£tof the many of them who bought Op vernment land had ever obtained a fortnight? Nor did lie think' this Or&yn grant likely to be issued in the tinw najned, and the member - for -Auckland might make his mind easy oii tih'at point, and withdraw his motion. ' ■"-. .V 1 Sir D. M'Lean saidthat a Very thorough investigation wss 'madeTast at&sion, todtße report acquitted the Government of MB blame; but, notwithsUnoUngtheßevereaud j exhaustive-investigation, the Government • were still prepared to face an mquiry, Jintl : stand by every action of theirs in connection with this transaction. .. : Mr DeLatour referred to the Tepbrt to show that it was susceptible -of a. different interpretation to upongtt by the Nativellin&ter. : ; . '. T " * Sir Robert Douglas remarked it appeared to'him the question was/not the PjKko Swamp at all, but as to whether Ministers shoula.occupy the Govexnnient benches: Mr Hamlin observed that he had come tq the House pledged to aee this matter thoroughly sifted, aid considered it was 4u> to the House and Colony that'the Government should not shirk afiy inquiry into "the matter.! ■ ■':■. y ■■■-. ■•■•••■•:•. u- •;

Mr Reynolds thought the time wis opportune for tabling such a motion. ; '' " Mr Eowe thought Sir G. Grey's request so reasonable that he was surprised to seethe Ministry opposed to it. IThough very vsa&i inclined to support the Ministry.generally, he yet was most anxious to see this matter sifted to the bottom.;- These dealings -with the public land were considered the xfib|t important in the district he came from. Though he would regret to see Ministers leave the Government benches, yet Jib threat of that kind would influence him ih thia -matter, ~'" 1 ;"'-' i '; :- ' ■ •''..' " Mr Woplcock thought if, when the 'land was sold, the price was quite adequate, that 1 ought to be a sufficient-reason to show the transaction was fair; and honorable, flf hoped that the motion would be withdraw!! ;on the assurance of the Government, :j. >

Sir..George Grey said lie understood a posi* tiye pledge was given last session that sjle matter would not be dealt with by orders in> Council, but that a Bill would be brought down this session, so that the new Parfi%> meat mightbe enabled to discuss;the whole question.. He had appealed io the Governor that the Crown (?) might be thrownround him, to enable him fo legally test what he icon., sidered to be a most monstrouß wrong' toJbji community; and what answers did he jst but the audacious publication of orders ux Council in the ' Gazette f They were told the price was adequate; but if so, wnMhTfcft that to do with the case% It was the illegality of tibie transaction. They 1 had ' beejßi' placed as conservators of the^ubuointe^el^i, ,: and they DJjUbged, _the„public; Jfnejr were told that tneland* was unit tor VeTJflemeift* by small farmers, but haof the Government not money Tto.make roads? How many roads had they made to the runs of mends of the Government! He denied he had any intention of ; shaking the position of Ministers in bringing down his motion, and after the. assurance of the Premier he begged to with-" draw his motion. . T :, !

; Mr Andrew objected, and" ■ A division was called for, the 1 result 'being 59 for the motion, 29 against. : ' The Speaker gave bu citing vqtje with the .Noes, in order to afford further opportunity for discussion. . , , i . : *.•■-£■ The following is the: division list >-' ? • Atse, 29: Barff, Brandon, Brown, J. C. 'Burns, Button, Curtis, Do Lautour, Dignan, Fisher, Gray, Hamlin, Joyce, Lusk, Macandrew, M'Farlaae, Montgomery, Murray, Napi, O'Borke, Bees, Bowe, Seaton, Shrimßki, Stout, Swanson, Tole, Thomson, ,Wood. B. G.,-Wbod. i Nokb, 29: Andrew, Atkinson, BaUance, Bowen, Carrington, Cox, Douglas, Gibbs. Henry, HuntSK Hursthouse, Johnston, Kelly, Kennedy, M-'Lean; M'Lean G., Moo house, Murray Aynsley, Pearoe, Beynolds, Bichardson, Seymour, Sharp, Stsftjrd, Tawhiti, Vogel, Williams, Wooloook. 5 {??,

The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. !i Sir J. Vogel- obtained leave for £ select Committee to consider certain provisions of the Disqualification Act, as to their upon two recent elections: •; hj: ;, ( ' % ; The Premier then referred; tb # the; ttte? gular way in which the business of tbs House had been commenced by going into a debate before the Address in Reply to». speech from the Throne was carried* Hi thought such a course'was wanting in the respect due to the representative <tf Her Majesty. He then moved the adjournment Of the House tilt Wednesday 'next; at 7.30 p.m. In doing so he referred to the inadvisability of allowing surprises such a|' had been perpetrated, that afternoon; Sncft practices would make members'labors at "the session perfect slavery. They oould never for a moment feel safe. 'J he action of Sir George Grey had been very inconsiderate and. iwtlU < out precedent. Any.Government ought tS expect that at least reasonable notice Would be given them*of any business to be brpught forward. ~!.,'.; ' ' ' Mr Kolleston explained that he wonld hate: voted against fioy»rameat»4fcat 1 a/ten - s noon ; bmTnot havTaFbeen sworn iiyWab--" stained from speaking *>T voting. Sir J. Vogef gave his Swamp transaction, which was to the^ft^| r that taking the of into consideration the sale was a good, and many people whose opinions were en* titled to. weight thought Mr. Jtussell xa&h v in -going intbTt; carMel out only on the advice of the jaw office «-. the Crown? > :ii >~- ■■ r. >H fUi Ws&z^^ The discussion having been , thne re-,, opened, Sir George Q^Mt^ l Wmm and Sir D. M*Leatv«UK>ke taibA question, after which t^e^lotiseiajo^Sa