PARLIAMENTARY NO-CONFIDENCE DEBATE.

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 10, 4 July 1885, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NO-CONFIDENCE DEBATE.

(PBB VHITEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Wbixinoton, July 2. The debate on the no-confidence motion was resumed by Mr O'Connor, who strongly supported the Government proposals, but objected to the coal tax. He thought what was wanted was increased facilities for shipping the coal. He considered the Government had effected all the retrenchment they possibly could. Mr Montgomery intended to vote against the amendment, as he considered the member for Auckland City East sheuld nave had some conwith other members before moving it. He said the existing depression had deepened instead of lessened,, and that land in the South Island had become unsaleable. The people in the South were so burdened with debt that it was a cruel thing to put taxation on them, and unless very great modifications were made he should vote against the duties proposed. The proposal to allow the local bodies to borrow to such a large extent was a most dangerous one, and the House should protest against it. He should regret if any action of his would remove the Government from office, but he would vote against the Local Finance and Policy Bill, even if doing so involved their removal. Mr Menteith condemned the financial proposals, and said the Financial Statement was an attempt to mislead the public as to the tariff. He denied thai the Government were entitled to credit for vigorous administration. He criticised the local government scheme at some length, and could not support the borrowing proposals. The House rose at 5.30 p.m. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Mr Menteith continued his remarks and said the Government had failed in their administration, especially as regards the West Coast. He said in voting on the question he would be guided by consideration for his party. Mr Holmes defended the Government from the charges of reckless borrowing, as they were simply carryout the engagements of the late Ministry. He, howevor, did not think it wise to make so many appointments to the Council. Government were entitled to credit for their action in reference to the defences. He considered the estimates were as reasonable as any that could be brought dowiii and thought it the duty of those who supported the Government to vote for the second reading of their Bills, and suggest some alterations in Committee. He would oppose the amendment. Mr Bruce, after referring at length to the question of Freetrade and Protection, said that those who carried the flag of Freetrade, whether Opposition or Government would find him a loyal follower. Too much money had been spent on ill-advised immigration, and he thought that it would have paid the colony to have sent back a large number who had been assisted to come here. He thought too much prominence had been given in the debate to the depression. The best way to relieve the depression was to make the people look to themselves and not to the Government. This Day. In Parliament yesterday, Mr Ormond asked when the Government expected to let the sections of the Napier-Manawatu Railway which will connect the East and West Coasts and provide through communication to Wellington, and will the Government so let the contracts as to secure through communication by time the Wellington to Palmerston line is open. The Minister for Public Works said that flic sections referred to wore almost ready for letting by contract, and had been divided into three contracts with a view of the line being opened from Napier to Palmenton by the time the Wellington and East Coast Railway was opened to the same place. • MrGarrickresumedtheno confidence debate. J. B. Whyte denounced the financial proposals of the Government. Mr Conolly had no confidence in the Government or their proposals. Mr <?owan hoped the Government Would modify their proposals. ';'■■■?■■■ Later. At 4 o!«loclt, this morning the question was spju* that the House go into committee, and was carried on the - TOPoes. Grey's amendment is therefore lost.