GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 663, 4 August 1876, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

* [ {From a correspondent of the Press.") LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Thursday, August 3. CANTERBURY RESERVES BILL. The Canterbury Reserves Sale and Leasing Bill was read a third time and passed. PRIVILEGE, Hon Mr Waterhouse moved that the Public Debts Sinking Fund Commissioners should be summoned to appear at the bar. The Act provides that their annual report shall be forwarded to Parliament on July 15th, or within fourteen days after the meeting of Parliament,’ whereas it was not sent in until Wednesday last, and then without any explanation of the delay. The motion was opposed by Hon Dr Pollen, Dr Menzies, and others, on the grounds that some preliminary enquiries should be made before taking such a serious step. On a division on the question of the adjournment of the debate, II voted for it and 11 against, the Speaker giving his casting vote with the ayes to admit of further consideration . adjournment. There is so little business before the Council that it was proposed to adjourn for a fortnight, but on a division this was negatived, and the House adjourned till Tuesday. {Per Press Agency.) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, August 3. SEPARATION RESOLUTIONS. The House met at 7.30. After disposing of the preliminary business, Sir G. Grey moved his resolution in a long speech. His main arguments were that the Government proposals were not acceptable to the people, that they were forcing upon the country petty institutions without having given fair warning, that nothing could be fairer than his proposal that each island should manage its own affairs, that nothing was more likely to restore the credit of the colony, and that the people of the colony had to decide as to the exact form of Government they would have. In the course of his speech he said the finances of the colony were in most disastrous condition ; that the Native Department was corrupt; that the natives generally were dissatisfied with Sir D. McLean ; that the Government were setting up a new province where Tawhaio reigned supreme ; that the’Civil Service was monstrously overgrown; that the constitution of the Upper House was a gross injustice to the colony ; that-the increase given in the representation last year was given with a view to increasing the ranks of the Government supporters. He strongly objected to the’civil servants being in the Government, as in Dr Pollen’s case, and referred to Sir J, V< gel’s expenditure while at home as extravagant. In conclusion, he denied that his resolutions would affect the unity of the colony. The struggle was one of civilisation, ♦culture, and happiness, against wealth and degradation. Personally, he did not want office. He would be satisfied to secure for the people the priceless bond of freedom. The Premier characterised Sir G. Grey’s speech as wild and visionary, and unworthy of answer. His resolutions were ctqde and unintelligible, and the interpretation necessary had not been furnished by the mover. There was }n fact nothing to answer, and It was scarcely likely the people would part with the constitution they had until they knew what they were going to get. The change proposed by the Government was clear, and had already been affirmed, and was in accordance with the spirit of the constitution, as it had always been understood that Provincialism was temporary. The counties of the future would bo greater than the provinces of the past. He twitted Sir G. Grey with the absence of all details in explaining his resolutions, and compared the attitude he took last year with the present. He was ardent in his defence of the civil servants, and maintained that Dr Pollen had been a valuable public officer to the colony. He reiterated that the carrying of the resolutions would lead to separation. He believed that many of those who would like to vote for the resolutions would rather cut off their right hand, if they thought that Sir G. Grey would bo placed at the head of affairs. He declined to discuss the reference to his expenditure while at home, saying Sir G. Grey had a very ignoble idea of public men of the colony in thinking money was their chief motive. He defended the Upper House, saying it did not deserve the aspersions ' cast upon it. As to the financial position of the colony, there was no occasion to be ashamed provded the whole truth was told. The expenditure had been immensely reproductive. Mr Reynolds announced he would vote for the measures, though his sympathies were entirely with the gentlemen on the Government beuphqs. Mr Tribe strongly opposed the resolutions, . and the debate was adjourned on the motion of Mr Rees. The House adjourned about one.