PARLIAMENTARY INCIDENTS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1039, 24 October 1877, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY INCIDENTS.

IMPENDING- PAETY STRUGGLE. EEO3I THE COEEESPONDENT OE THE PEESS.] Wellinhton, October 23, 8 p.m. The Opposition have been pressing Major Atkinson to bring matters to an issue at once, so just now he took opportunity, on the Goyernment proposing a postponement of some business, to object to the course they were taking and closed by announcing he would tomorrow move a vote of want of confidence in the present Q-ovcrnment, He moved the adjournment of the House to put himself in order. Mr Sheehan has risen to reply, and Jcharged Major Atkinson with lobbying to get a majority, and is now referring to the Land Eill ,asserting that the other party had gone into office through the squatting interests. He says the present Government is most anxious to pass the Land Bill; that the Government have not had a fair trial, and he is not ashamed of his acts in office ; that they will die fighting, and not be defeated in a three hours’ debate. He suggests that the House should not adjourn but proceed with the business. The adjournment was not pressed, and the House is now proceeding with business. Mr Sheehan’s speech was sharp and clever, but particularly undignified. It strikes one as peculiar that Sir George Grey did not reply to Major Atkinson. Probably he was afraid of losing liia temper. The Government still claim a majority, and say that Carrington and Reynolds will vote for them, but I believe this to be without foundation. I expect to see Major Atkinson in a majority of seven at least. His party is very confident. The House has just gone into committee on the Mines Bill, which will take some time getting through.