POLITICAL NEWS.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 670, 12 August 1876, Page 3

POLITICAL NEWS.

(From a coresjjotident of the Press. ) None of the last speeches, except Mr Tole's, were long. Mr Macandrew's is condemned by all, save the members from that province, as intensely local, and his expressed willingness to prefer £200.000 yearly—which he says Otago will lose—to the unity of the colony, provoked many tokens of dissent. Mr Montgomery spoke well, and was listened to by a fuller House than any other speaker during the evening lie complained greatly of Mr Stafford's change of point re the land fund, which he said would give great pain to his friends. Mr Tole reiterated the cry of aimed resistance, and stigmatised those Auckland members who opposed the resold tiona as traitors. It is now beyond question that the separation debate cannot be brought to a close this week. This afternoon's proceedings, which wear the appearance of a preconcerted plan to gain time in view of the public meeting to bo held at the Thames to-night, have delayed determination of the question for another day at least, Mr Stevens was ready with his speech, but member after member from the Opposition side showed such a readiness to speak on the question under discussion, that the purpose became self evident. On Sir G. Grey's question re Native Lands Purchase Commissioner's report being answered, the member for the Thames rose to answer the Native Minister, and, his right to do so being questioned, put himself in order by moving the adjournment of the House ; whereupon ensued a short but very acrimonious debate. The correctness of the Speaker's ruling was questioned by Sir J Vogel. Mr Stafford, aud Mr Wakefield, but Mr Fitzherbert maintained that it was supported by precedent. Fully an hour's discussion followed Mr Sheehan's motion for the adjournment of the second r acting of the Native Lands Sale Bill, some very strong language bsiug used, particularly . by Mr Sheehan himself, who intimated his intention at any time of being able to prove the native department a scandal and digrace to the colony, and said the Minister in no way represented the feeling of the native mind, which would gladly see him retire into private life. It is whispered in the lobbies that the Government will try and force the division to-morrow morning, but the hopelessness of any such attempt is plain. Besides Mr

Stevens, Mr Reid will make a long speech, mainly on finance. He will be followed by Major Atkinson and Mr Rowe, and other country members have declared their intention to speak. The two evening papers fore cast the division, the Post giviDg it provincial! y thus:— FOR AGAINST Auckland ... 13 ... 5 Taranaki ... 0 ... 8 Hawke's Bay ... 0 ... 3 Wellington ... 0 ... 9 Nelson 0 ... 9 Marlborough ... 0 ... 3 Canterburv ... 2 ... 12 Westland ... 0 ... 3 Otago 18 ... 3 Maoris 2 ... 2 I am inclined to give the Opposition an additional vote in the person of Mr Baigent. Mr Taiaroa is still undecided, but both whips give him to the Government. The Auckland minority are Mr Rowe, Sir R. Douglas, Mr Reid, Mr Williams, and Mr Cox. The Otago minority are Messrs Pyke, Manders, and McLean.