GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 624, 19 June 1876, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

{Per Press Agency.) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Fkiday, June 16. Upon resuming, Sir J. VOGEL obtained, without notice, leave to move for a select committee to consider certain provisions of Disqualification Act as affecting several elections. Sir J. Vogel then referred to the irregular position in which the House was placed in opening the business of the session, and in order to get back to their former position he asked leave to introduce a Bill, which was granted, and the Deputy-Super-intendent of Wellington Bill was read a first time. The Governor’s speech was then read by the Speaker. MINISTBEAL STATEMENT. Sir J. Vogel then moved the adjournment of the House, and referred to Sir G. Grey’s motion, saying it was usual for any member to give Government the fullest possible information regarding their intentions to bring forward a motion, especially one of such an important character. In this case Government has been placed in an unfair position. Before it was determined to take a division on the question, he assured hon members that no inconvenience or disadvantage would result from negativing the motion of the member for City West. Ho was quite sure that in the interests of the Legislature, it was well to draw a broad line of demarcation between the executive functions of the Government and the deliberate functions of the Legislature. He regarded the action of Sir Geo Grey as irregular and inconsiderate, and wholly without precedent. The smallest amount of consideration Government were entitled to expect wa°, that they should be given ample notice of the business to be brought forward. But where it was not only a want of confidence vote, but culminated in a direct charge against the Government of corruption of the worst kind, then, he ,'put H, whether the adoption of such a course was in accordance with that spirit of fair play which every Englishman was supposed to love. The practice of effecting surprises in Parliamentary proceedings was much to be deprecated. Mr Rollesxon explained that though he was in the House during the debate, he did not speak or vote, because he had not then been sworn in. He agreed with the Premier, that surprises should not be made ; but the House bad a right to protest against surprises on the part of the Ministry, and the publication of these Orders in Council was the greatest possible surprise. He had interested himself greatly in the Piako Swamp transaction, and speaking from a thorough acquaintance with the whole circumstances of the case, he maintained that the sale was wicked and illegal. The House had already shown its opinion upon this question by rejecting a Bill intended to legalise this very transaction, and yet what followed ? Why the most astounding and defiant act he had ever seen was the publication of these Orders in Council. . ... Sir J, Vogel then gave his version of the Piako Swamp transaction, so iar his memory served him, and it was to the effect that the land had be in open for sale for many years without any application for it coming forward ; that they were desirous of promoting settlement in the district in every way : that Mr Russell applied for this land, and on finding that they possessed power to dispose of it, and the price offered was fair and reasonable, then they made the arrangement, Personally he had nothing to do with

the affair, excepting that he was favorable to it. Many people indeed who were able to form an opinion upon the matter, believed that Mr Russell had made an unwise speculation, and the Government a very good one. It was as yet uncertain how it would turn out. It was clear the sale benefitted the Waikato district, for none of its settlers, and they were the most interested, had anything to say against the sale.

Mr Rees thought the Premier intended to carry on his system of surprises. He challenged the Premier to produce the advice given on this matter to Ministers be the Law Officers of the Crown. He made bold to say that no lawyer in the colony or in the empire would dare to give such an opinion. If the Premier was not prepared to discuss the motion, why did he not, prevent the discussion ? The hon member then read from the Journals of the House the legal opinion of Mr Izard to show that Ministers had not the power to sell the land, and they knew they had not the power to do so. He considered that the talk of Government as to a vote of want of confidence was holding the worst species of terrorism over the House, The hon gentleman commented vehemently upon the corruption and iniquitous practices of the Government and its rotten finance, saying the colony would have been a great deal better off if they never held the reins of office. No Ministry, not even Walpole’s, had so systematically broken their solemn pledges, and carried things with a higher hand. He would not have spoken any more upon the subject, but for the attempt of the Premier to have the last word. Sir G. Grey said the law under which these lands could be sold was very clear. The lands could not be sold before surveyed. They must be sold by public auction, and one fourth of the money paid down when the sale is effected. None of these provisions were carried out. As for the argument that the aim of the Government was to increase the population, by selling 80,000 acres to one man, that was not the way to encourage population. The defence of the Premier was practically an admission of wrong doing. If he had to live in Auckland under such a system, his life would become a burden to him. He was prepared to sacrifice all he possessed in the world, eyen life itself, to put an end to such a system. Hou Major Atkinson pointed out that any one who had doubts as to the purpose of the hon gentleman’s motion need havenone now. From his speech it was evident be wished to remove the Government from office, or else to compel them to occupy office branded as corrupt. The hon gentleman quite misled the House as to the legal aspect of the case. The Government were perfectly justified in considering what regulations were necessary to have the Swamp opened. There was no manner of doubt that under the law (New Zealand Settlement Act) Government had power to make the transaction, and the publication of Orders in Council, just before the opening of session, showed that they were not afraid to meet the House on the subject. When the Piako Swamp inquiry was before the House last session, and when every opportunity was afforded for investigation, it was very singular that Sir George could not be got to attend ; in fact, he did not want to go. There was no doubt he had stolen a march upon the Government, and placed the new members in a curious position. Had he been a young member, he believed he should have been influenced in the same way. The House expected Government to carry out the laws of the colony, and under the law they had power to deal with the lands. He could o"ly to say that if any hon members believed of the Government one-half that was said by the members of Auckland City East and West he hoped he would lose no opportunity of voting against them. Mr Stout said when the legal opinion of Mr Travers was asked for it was negatived by the Government supporters. They, however, brought in the opinion of the Crown Prosecutor, a servant of the Crown. The Government not only sold the land in defiance of all law, but against the recommendations of the Government Surveyor, and an inquiry should be held. The mere fact of making the Order in Council was proof positive that the sale was illegal. If not, why have the Order in Council at all. The way things were being done seemed to indicate that the best thing to do would be to give Ministers a lease of office for five years. Sir D. McLean said, with regard to the composition of the committee, the names were submitted to the member for Auckland West, and he approved them. Mr Reeves, of Canterbury, who took a great interest in the matter, was invited to form one of the committee, but he declined. Sir George Grey said the reason why himself and Mr Reeves would not serve on the committee was its unfair composition. They knew no justice could be obtained from it.

The matter was allowed to drop, and the House adjourned at 9.40 to 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday next.