PARLIAMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 4229, 14 September 1876, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

[By Telegraph.]

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, September 13. On the House resuming at 7.30, The Premier announced the formation of the new Ministry; and informed the House that he himself had also resigned, and had been re-sworn. He would, on the following day, move for leave to introduce a Bill of Indemnity to condone any past mistakes. Sir George Grey said that the mere taking of one oath and divesting oneself of another did not constitute them Ministers of that House. He appealed to the Speaker. The Speaker declined to interfere in the matter.

The interim report of the Disqualification Committee was brought up and read. Its substance was that, inasmuch as there were doubts as to the present position of the Attorney-General, it would be advisable to obtain legislation to remove all doubts pertaining to the matter. The House went on with the Orders of the Day, No. 1 (Civil List Acts Amendmendment Bill) being struck out, though pposed by Sir George Grey. MR SMYTHIES'S CASE. In the adjourned debate on the Law Practitioners Act Amendment Bill, Mr Whitaker opposed the second reading, arguing that the receipt for LI, 00© given by Mr Smythies was a discharge in full for all claims upon the House. Mr Swanson thought Mr Smythies ought to be allowed to go before the Judges to have his case decided.

Mr Macandrew considered the Act to be amended a disgrace to the statute book of New Zealand, and was the result purely of personal spleen. The pertinacity of Mr Smythies deserved credit.

Sir Robert Douglas thought if a lawyer was once condemned for wrong doing, and removed from his profess'on, he should not be allowed to practice gain. The public should be protected so th.t they should not have their confidence in an honorable profession destroyed. MtDe Latour said all that was sought was to enable Mr Smythies to adduce the proof he obtained at Home to establish his innocence. He spent the Ll,ooo he got to go Home and obtain his proof. He read a letter from Sir Julius Vogel to show that the latter did not think the LI.OOO a receipt in lull for all claims.

Mr M'Leax said Sir J. Vogel held very extreme views on this matter. Mr Rees protested against the monstrous injustice of holding a weapon over the head of a man by those who wielded the power It was ridiculous to say that the LI.OOO indemnified Mr Smythies for the loss of his profession altogether, though it might be some compensation for being disbarred for a time.

Sir Georgu Grey strongly supported the Bill, and said the present Ministry, as lawbreakers, ought to be the last to set such a bad example. Mr lloLLESTOrfpoiiUed out that the Judges of the Supieme Court, on inquiry into the facts of the case, said there were certain circumstances of the case that made it fatal for MrSmythies to hope to be, re-instated. Mr Burns agreed with' the member for Avon.

Mr Reynolds pointed out that Mr Smythies underwent twelve months' imprisonment; in Newgate, aud had been guilty of something very like malpractice at Dunedin. v e oo nd readifl g<* the Bill was carried by 30 to 28.

. MAORI REPRESENTATION. Considerable debate ensued upon Mr Taiaroa's Bill to give five Maori members to tne North Island and two to the South Mr Whitaker wanted the Bill pushed no farther than the second reading, premising that the Government would carefully consider tie question during the recess.

Messrs Rr/sgKLL and Rolleston opposed the Bill in the interests of the Maoriß. Mr Akdrsw moving that it be read that day six months, while Messrs Hamlin, Morris, Stout, and Rowb supported the measure, the former saying he would move to increase the number to eight. Mr Wakkfibld looked upon this special representation as a mistake.

_ The majority of the speakers hoped the time was not far distant when, in the matter of representation, Maories and Europeans would be t on the same footing. Messrs Reid, Douglas, and Wood also supported the Bill. The Native Minister, in the course of his remarks, said there were at present from 1500 to 1800 Native youths rapidly learning the English language, and conforming to European civilisation, besides exciting a like influence upon their parents. Sir George Grey supported the measure. The second reading was agreed to on the voices. THE DISQUALIFICATION ACT. An animated debate occurred on Mr Montgomery's Disqualification of Election Act, the object of which iB to prevent members giving support to Government in the hope of obtaining billets, and to protect Government from the importunities of officeseekers. Mr Woolcock considered the Bill an insult to the people and their representatives.

Messrs Reid and opposed the j?ill as being so comprehensive as to become embarrassing in its operation.

Mr Reynolds considered the Bill a great boon to Minivers in relieving them from the pressure of office-hunters. Mr Fyke strongly opposed the Bill as unnecepsary. It would be ft tacit admission of the internal corruption of Parliament, and the last ten years' records showed iiothing to justify it.

Messrs Stout and Swanson warmly snpported the Bill, the second reading of which was carried by 37 against 15. The members of the Ministry voted each way. The House adjourned at 1.10 a.m.

ABOUT THE LOBBIES.

(From our om Garreajnondent.)

Wellington, September 13. The new Ministry are Dr Pollen, Colonial Secretary; Mr Richardson, Works ; Mr Bowen, Justice ; Mr G. M Lean, Customs ; Sir Donald M'Lean, Native ; Mr Whitaker, Postmaster - General; Major Atkinson, Premier and Lands.

September 14. Mr Larnach has given notice to increase the amount of the honorarium to £3OO.

A question of privilege has been riised as to the seat 3 of ministers being vacated, under the Disqualification Act, and the Opposition threaten to talk till the Ministerial supporters are tired out.

There is no foundation whatever for the rumor that the Hon. Mr Richardson willl be appointed Commissioner of Railways other office should he resign his seat in the Executive.