GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1046, 1 November 1877, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Telegraph.] [pee pbess agency.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, October 31, A message was read from the Governor suggesting certain amendments in the Himatangi Crown Grants Bill, which, on the motion of the Colonial Secretary, will be concurred in, Mr Whitmore gave notice to ask leave to introduce a Bill to empower the Governor to exchange certain hospital reserves in the Waikato for other lauds in the same district. The Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill was reported, with amendment. The Council concurred in the report of the Select Committee upon Canterbury grain traffic. The other business was unimportant, HOUSE OE REPRESENTATIVES. THE NO-CO XFIUENCE DEBATE. Wednesday, October 31. The House met at 3.30 p.m. Mr Larnach resumed the debate. Members who had voted with him on the motion which turned out Major Atkinson would remember that lie had, before moving it, stipulated that if successful he should not be required to take office, us doing so would interfere with his private business. No sooner, however, had he taken the task of forming a Ministry than he met with unexpected difficulties, which arose from his having been accustomed to depend on men’s words. These difficulties only disappeared when he obtained the assistance of Sir G. Grey, and hence his holding office. He had been a whole fortnight in office, but Major Atkinson, in his anxiety to get back a lawful and visible means of subsistence, had not given him time to prepare a financial statement. Although his duties were heavy, nothing had fallen into arrears, but he confessed the labor was very heavy, and although he had prepared a great deal of matter for a statement he had not received a full statement of provincial liabilities till last Friday, and such statement was absolutely necessary before he could make a financial statement to the House. Other necessary statements were not even yet forthcoming. He had been twentythree years connected with banking, and four years had the management of probably the largest commercial firm in the colony, so perhaps his experience in finance was equal to Major Atkinson’s, and his name would probably command more confidence in the London market than Major Atkinson’s. The present indebtedness of colony he made £24,200,000 if all were funded. To meet liabilities a loan of five millions would be required. It would therefore be desirable to go openly to the money market and say we would not only require this but many more millions to complete our railways and render them reproductive, and the English money market should be given the opportunity of lending this. They had always treated us liberally, and to go behind them and borrow in hack streets was a pawnbroking finance. On Saturday last, if the trust fund was taken into consideration, the public account stood indebted £12,602 17b Id. He read a memo, from the Secretary to the Treasury on lath inst., pointing out that £168,000 was wanted before the Ist of iebruary in London to pay interest, and required to be remitted almost at once. The post of a Treasurer required to make bricks without straw was therefore no enviable one. Ee fen'ing to Mr Eos’s speech, he said he was

very anxious to see the Land Bill passed, as nearly all his land was freehold. He had very little leasehold, and be came there not to serve bis personal interest, but his constituents. If a land or property tax were proposed, he would support it. Mr Whitaker did not think Mr Larnach had sufficiently accounted for bis delay in bringing down a Financial Statement. He professed astonishment at Sir Larnach’s statement of colonial indebtedness. His information did not accord with Mr Larnach’s. Referring to Mr Ballance’s speech and the attack made on himself, he said if the law enabled Natives to sell land, be did not see why Ministers should not buy fairly and openly simply because they were Ministers. The transaction referred to by Mr Ballanee had been investigated by a committee of the House, and tbe evidence taken completely disproved Mr Ballance’s statement. It was not true that be bad bought 18,000 acres of land at 5s per acre. Nor had the Government bought the land. The transaction was a very simple one, and he referred the House to the evidence taken by the committee of which Mr Ballanee was a member. The transaction was one which had extended over twenty-three years. He had then purchased lands for which he held Crown grants, and could not get possession. Negotiations between himself and the natives were going on about four years since, when the Government stepped in and wished to acquire the land. A bill to settle the matter fell through in the Legislative Council, and since that further negotiations yet unsettled had been going on with the natives. He was certainly not going to give up a matter which had been pending 23 years, simply because be was called on to take office in the Government. He thought tbe committee would report in his favor. He defended himself from tbe charge of deserting his party, saying that though in the early days of the colony, when communication was difficult, he was a provincialist, but in the altered circumstances his opinions changed. Major Atkinson had been twitted with having taken 35 days to bring down his financial statement, but the first three weeks were taken up in the discussion and passing of the Indemnity Bill. He could not understand Mr Ballance’s indictment of the late Government, for he had attended their caucuses, spoken there up to time of the “Waka Maori” motion, and consistently supported them. He had certainly opposed the Native Lands Bill, but the speaker was prepared next session to advocate similar views to those contained in the Bill, but he consented to its withdrawal because the House was then excited and not able to calmly consider the measure. The Suspension Bill was drawn up in exact accordance with Mr Ballance’s views. It was shown to him and he approved of it. [Mr Ballanee denied it. It was shown to him. He then stated he should oppose it, as it interfered with Crown grants.] He contended that Sir G. Grey would not have the right to demand a dissolution until Major Atkinson had tried and failed to form a Ministry. Mr Ballanee had distorted facts. With regard to Parkes and Robertson in New South Wales, the case was not on all fours. If Sir G. Grey followed that precedent, he would resign and advise the Governor to send for Major Atkinson, instead of asking for a dissolution. The late Government had been blamed for not providing sufficient prison accommodation. Prisons were under the management of Provincial Governments until last year, and the General Government could not do anything until fresh money w'as voted by the House. Sir G, Grey said he would abandon Separation. He sympathised with him in that respect. He was himself one of the earliest Separationists, but now under the altered circumstances of the colony he believed it would bo impracticable. He agreed that Sir G. Grey was wise in abandoning that which it wars no use fighting against. If he had but acknowledged this truth earlier lie would have been on the Treasury benches, backed by a strong ma jority of which the speaker would have been one. He oould have hoped he would have taken amoredecidcd stand with respect to the land fund. The emergency in which the colony now' was demanded that it should be seized. The question must soon come up. If no one else moved in matter he would himself take care that next session the House should have an opportunity or declaring its will. He objected to direct taxation for Imperial purposes. The consolidated revenue should be relieved of many of its present charges. Local governing bodies must carry out all local purposes. The people would not object to pay direct taxes to a local body because they could see how the money was expended, but he warned the Government if they attempted to impose taxation for general purposes they would raise a storm in country. He said he would have separated from the Government and have voted for Mr Reader Wood’s resolution for making the land fund colonial revenue if he had thought there was the slighest chance of its being carried, so lie had remained in office and had worked harmoniously with his colleagues. 11 e might as well seize the opportunity for declaring that, even if Major Atkinson’s motion were carried, lie should not form one of the new Government, but would hold himself free, the better to advocate his own opinions. Mr Babpf was speaking in support of Government w'hen the hour of adjournment for dinner arrived. PARLIAMENTARY INCIDENTS. THE NO-CONFIDENCE DEBATE. [rKOM THE COBKESI’ONDKNT OF I.UE IMiESS.J We Ij iii xgto>, October 31, 7.50 p.m. The division is pretty safe alter Tawiti’s speech last night. It had been circulated and uncontradicted that he would vote for the Government. When he rose he w as greeted with Government applause, but he wound up a capital speech by saying that ho had followed Ma jor Atkinson once and would do so again. The Government whips looked glum and the Opposition cheered. Mr Travers, I hear, will vote with the Opposition, and if Mr Macfarlane does not vote, it will leave a majority of four. The division will probably take place to-night, after Mr Stout and Mr Stafford have spoken. It is rumored that Mr Rees has been telling friends in Hawke’s Bay that he is to be appointed permanent Attorney • General after the session. It is quite untrue that Mr Bowen is to go ini o the Upper House. He will probably join Major Atkinson in his former office. [per press agency.] ” 3.25 p.m. The Government whips say the division will positively take plate to-uight- Mi’

Sheehan and Mr Macandrew are too ill to speak. 7.30 p.m. It has been stated in tbe lobby, since the dinner hour, on good authority, that, for sudden reasons, the Government have determined not to allow the division to take place to-night. Mr Barff is to speak two hours, Mr Murray one hour, and Mr Stout as long as may be required, to put off the end till to-morrow. 11 p.m. Owing to some fresh arrangements, it is not likely that the division will take place to-night. Messrs Barff, Fisher, and Murray have spoken on the Government side. Mr Swanson is now speaking. Mr Fitzroy for the Opposition, Mr Stout, and a number of others are expected to speak yet.