PARLIAMENTARY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1044, 30 October 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

Last Night's Proceedings. Wellington, October 30. Mr Thomson continued the debate : —lf 3ir Gr. Grey were now driven from office he would speedily return to it far stronger than ever, and with a far more liberal following. Mr Fox thought they had quite sufficient material before the House to justify the motion. They need no more wait for the financial than for any other departmental statement, to learn the policy of the Ministry. Ho did not see how Sir Gr. Q-rey and Mr Sheehan could reconcile their previous declarations and action with their prosent positions. He accused Sir Gr. Grey of always preferring a tortuous path to a straight one, ;and of persistently trying to throw dust in people's eyes. The real liberal party in the House was that which introduced the public works policy and abolished the provinces. Sir Gr. Grey was really anxious to restore two provinces under a miserable federalism. He rediculed Sir G. Grey's professions of retrenchment. All the figures paraded the other night by Sir G. Grey as a discovery were to be found in Major Atkinson's last Financial Statement. lie accused Mr Larnach of having broken a promise to support Major Atkinson, and attributed it to the liberal Land Bill. He could not understand the position of the Government in regard to the unity of the colony and liberal land legislation. Sir G. Grey was attempting by delusive promises to climb into autocratic power, setting class against class. He urged Major Atkinson, when he returned to power, to perfect the machinery of local selfgovernment, and proceed vigorously with public works. There should be no class legislation in land or any thing. Mr Ballance said it was because they believed in Sir G. Grey's liberal principles that lie and others supported him. The redicule such as Mr Fox used was powerless against such principles. Mr Fox had repeatedly endeavored to set class against class, but really land sharks and monopolists were more dangerous to the community than publicans as a class. The alleged liberality of the Land Bill was all introduced in committee. He spoke of Sir G. Grey's power with the people, and their love of him. He strongly condemned the unfair conduct of the Opposition in bringing the present motion, as unfair and unconstitutional. He Jquoted English precedents to show that under the circumstances Sir G. Grey was entitled to obtain a dissolution. If Major Atkinson got into office he could not carry on or expect any consideration from their side. He reviewed the native lands policy of the late Government, and accused Mr Whitaker of improperly using his position to obtain 18,000 acres of valuable land. Mr Travers explained that he would have been prepared to have taken Sir G. Grey's assurance that he would preserve the unity 'of the colony, but as that assurance was not given, he would vote for the motion. Mr Nahe supported the Government. Mr Wakefield replied at length to Mr Fox, and severely criticised the railway administration and general policy of the late Goverment. The conduct of the present Government was in favourable contrast. Mr Kowe supported the " No confidence" motion. Mr Macandrew moved the adjournment of the debate, and the House rose at 12.25. [fkoji our own correspondent.] Wellington, October'3o. Messrs Fox and Ballance spoke very well la3t night, and for a time revived the debate, but it dragged towards the end of the evening. The Opposition will not speak much more, though the Government say that they will last till Friday. The division will be close, but I cannot see a less majority than three.