GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1040, 25 October 1877, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[BY TELEGRAPH. PEE PEE3S AGENCY.] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, Oct. 23. —Evening Sitting. THE RUMORED DEFICIENCIES. Major Atkinson, in his remarks this evening, said things were going on in the House in a most unconstitutional manner. The Treasurer made a distinct promise that he would bring down the Financial Statement on Monday or Tuesday. Then on Monday he said it should take another week. There were no grounds to suppose that an additional week would not be asked for, yet no satisfactory reasons were given for these delays. He said they could not make themselves acquainted with the financial condition of the colony, but that could be done in the House. At any rate [they could find whether his Financial Statement was reliable or not. Throughout the colony there had been circulated statements respecting deficiencies and defalcations in the Treasury, implying not only that the late Ministry were corrupt, but that the auditors and Treasury officers were utterly untrustworthy. Such rumors must have originated with the present Government. Hence these reports. The House had a right to instantly demand who were the discoverers of the defalcations, and what were the discoveries made. Justice to these officers demanded that information should not be withheld. If untrue the statement ought to be denied. The excuses for delaying the Lands Bill were most trivial, and it was rumoured that the Government did not intend carrying the Lands Bill if a certain contingency, highly probable, took place. Sir G. Grey—l deny that. Major Atkinson intimated that some gentlemen known to have prejudices against liberal land laws had become Government partisans. Mr SnEEHAN denied that the facts of the case had been fairly represented. Major Atkinson wanted the Government to do in four or live hours what he and his colleagues had a whole recess to do. The present Government were not afraid to face the finance question, but the statement that the finances of the colony were not in a satisfactory condition would be borne out by facts. Regarding rumours relative to deficiencies being found in the provincial liabilities neither he nor hie colleagues supplied such information. Major Atkinson was constantly at members in the lobbies reasoning with, exhorting, and sometimes converting them. He had, in fact, been preaching a new dispensation for the last five days. He would not g© ao far as to say that the late Ministry had been embezzling, but the finances were not on a sound basis, and it would take all that could be done to make both ends meet. The Government were anxious that the Land Bill should be carried. The late Government befriended the squatters, and had not the moral courage to make them contribute by taxation, and asked till next session to consider the land tax. It was with squatters that the late Premier had been going up and down the lobbies lately, Many of the present Government supporters wanted the Lands Bill to pass, and it would become law substantially as it was. He condemned the impropriety of bringing down a vole of want of confidence before ihn Government had a chance to place its views before the House. If he did not continue to occupy his present seat on the Ministerial benches he would neve? be aehamed of the

manner in which he occupied his seat during his term of office. When the time came for them to be turned off, it would be found that they would die hard. They would not relinquish the struggle after a three or four hours' debate. The Opposition might rest assured that the ensuing debate on the want of confidence motion would occupy more than three or four hours, as on the last occasion. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, Octobkb 24. The Lotteries Bill, New Biver Harbor Management Bill, Mataura Beserves Bill, Havelock Commonage Bill, Otago Museum Bill, Christehurch District Drainage Bill, and Kaiapoi Cemetery Bill were read a third time. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. MOTION OF NO CONFIDENCE. Major Atkinson gave notice that ho would move to-morrow that tho House had no confidence in the Government. Mr Bunny hoped that it would be made for Friday, as to-morrow was a private members' day. Mr Bastings hoped so too. No principle was involved, and it was a mere personal squabble who should hold office. This should not interfere with priAate business. The Speaker ruled that the discussion was out of order. QUESTIONS. In reply to Mr O'Rorke, Sir G. Grey said the Government would consider the question of increasing the pension of ex Chief Justice Martin. In reply to Mr Curtis, Mr Sheehan said he would refer the report of the Royel Commission on the Nelson Lunatic Asylum to the law officers, with the view of seeing if there were sufficient grounds for instituting a criminal prosecution against Thomas Butler and John Wm. Tatton. In reply to Mr Gisborne, Mr Sheehan said the Government would, if possible, amend the Jury Act so as to provide for the payment of special jurors by the day instead of by the case. In reply to Mr Thomson, Mr Labnach said the railway from Balclutha Bridge to Balclutha would be completed by December Ist. In reply to Mr Wason, Mr Macandbew said that if the people of Canterbury desired, the Regulation of Mines Act, 1874, would be brought into force in that district. In reply to Mr Wason, Mr Labnach said ten tons of Canterbury coal had been sent to Auckland to be tried on the Auckland and Mercer railway, where the locomotives were so constructed as to give it a fair trial. In reply to Mr Hislop, Mr Sheehan said the Government would give effect to the report of the committee on the petition of Mr W. Moody, of Kakanui, and allow him to land the sheep, subject to quarantine. BILLS. The Milford Harbor Bill was introduced by Mr Wakeeield. Mr Macandbew, on behalf of the Government, refused to recommend leave to Sir R. Douglas to introduce a Bill to appropriate waste lands north of Auckland for the improvement of harbors, construction of public works, and the establishment and maintenance of public institutions in that part of the colony. Sir R. Douglas complained of being unfairly treated. Mr Sheehan said it was impossible for the Government in any way to agree to such a Bill. ADJOURNMENT TILL FRIDAY. Sir G. Gbey made a statement. They had taken office on Saturday and went on with business on Monday without asking for any adjournment. He should have thought the late Government even would have been glad to have heard them make a statement of the finances of the colony, and Major Atkinson had even promised to give them time to prepare this. Such time had not been given. One important return had only been given to him yesterday, and others had not yet been placed in his hands. He asked now to be allowed one clear day before the " want of confidence " motion, of which notice had been given, came on. He, therefore, moved that the House adjourn till 7.30 on Friday. Major Atkinson said he would not attempt at present to reply to Sir G. Grey. He would agree to the adjournment till Friday. Several members wished private business to be gone on with to-day, and others suggested that to-day and to-morrow should be given to private members, the debate being postponed till Monday. There were, however, loud cries of " adjourn " from all parts of the House, and those who seemed desirous of speaking could not be heard. The House adjourned till Friday, at 7.30.