PARLIAMENTARY

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 9, 2 July 1885, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

NO-CONFIDENCE DEBATE.

(PBB VHITSD PKEB3 ASSOCIATION.) Wklukotok, June 30. Sir George Grey Baid he had consulted no members on the responsibility of what he had undertaken. What he wished to say to-night was to express his own opinions, not to say anything personal, or in language which would give offence to any. The Financial Statement had created great discontent, both inside and outside of Parliament. He was hostile to the statement, and said the figures contained in it amounted to nothing. Looking on the list of Bills brought down by the Government, there was not one of a liberal nature, and certainly not one worthy of a reformer^ He regretted that several members c* the Ministry were large shareholders and held important positions in agricultural companies, and what was the result? The Government had, since the present Government resumed office, been managed on the principles of a company. He would like to see gentlemen who occupied those benches, those who had been successful in life and not any who had been connected with unsuccessful companies. He moved the amendment — That the Government, did not possess the confidence of the House. , ' Mr G. F. Kichardson .seconded. The Premier characterised Sir George Grey's speech' as worse than weak, and said it did not refer at all to the Financial Statement. He, defended the Government against the attacks made for their being connected with an agricultural company, and denied that there was a syllable of truth in the statements that any position as a Minister had been abused. The Government were aware that a number of their proposals were unfavorable to the colony, but they did not hesitate to bring them down boldly, no matter what might be the result, and speaking for himself he, was not afraid of losing office. The Government were doing all in their power to settle the land. His Government were determined to approve the principle that the system of borrowing for unproductive works should not last. The Government had striven to place local government on a firmer and better footing. He did not wish to hold offioe if the majority disapproved, and would resign at once if the House desired it. June 1. Mr Bryce, though opposing the Government, could not support the amendment, as he did not consider the present was a beneficial time, to oust the Government. With reference to the Premier's defence of the Agricultural Company, he argued that the ostensible object of all land companies was to buy land and sell it to advantage to itself. So far as he could see it was the intention of the Government t > borrow largely. The million for the North Island Main Trunk Line had uot yet been raised, and he did not think it would be. The success of the line must depend on the settlement of the land through which it passed. In his opinion the prospect of obtaining a title to some of the King Country was far distant, and if that was so, it would be madness to go on with the line. He regretted that in the local government proposals no provision was made for opening up unsettled country. Mr Ballance dealt at length with the statements made by Mr Bryce, and said anyone holding such opinions as he (Mr Bryce) did, should vote- for the amendment and have the Government removed. In regard to defence, he said the Government deserved credit for placing the volunteers on a better footing, and also for the action they had taken to put the ports in a state of defence. Eef erring to Native affairs on West Coast of the North Island, he said the scare was got up by Europeans. He denied that the Government was a borrowing one. Beferring to the North Island Trunk Railway, he said it would be pushed on as fast as possible. Titles to the land had not been obtained, but that would be a work involving waiting for some years. He defended the tariff, and said the House would have an opportunity of discussing and modifying it. Mr M. J. S. McKenae moved the adjournment of the debate. Mr Fisher intended to vote against the amendment, as, like the member for Mount Ida, he wished to keep the Government in and their policy out. Mr Pyke followed. He spoke in high praise of the conduct of the Government since assuming offioe, but hoped they would withdraw their obnoxious measures now before the House and not press them. Mr Moss followed, and congratulated the Government on the bold way in which they had brought down weir I measures, but he could not .support I the proposals in the statement, and therefore would follow Sir George Grey into the lobby. No proposals wonld be sound unless they insisted on local boards raising their own revenue, and i this course would make them frugal in expenditure. < - Dr Newman thought . the Government deserved credit- for grappling^ with the necessity for defence w*rk/W | but in his opinion there was plenty of ; room for reduction in the Armed Constabulary Department. He commended the administration of the Land Department, but was disappointed with i the financing of ithe Government. He > would certainly vote against the pro- ' posed increase of taxation: " ' ' - •'■' This Day. Mr 0. Buckland objected to the Protectionist character of the Financial Statement, but while voting against the tariff he would not like to see the Government displaced. ! Mr Turnbull hoped the Government would amend the objectionable proposals in the tariff. .On the motion of Mr O'Connor the debate was adjourned until to-day. The House rose at 12.20 a.m.