GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1065, 26 November 1877, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

e» [By Telegraph.] [pbb pbess agency.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Saturday, November 24. The Hon. Mr Holmes brought up a petition from female workers in the Mosgtel Factory. The petition was received and read. A call of the Council waa ordered tor next Friday. . . The Otago High Schools Bill, Waikouaiti A.theucDum Land Bill, and Church Trust Property (Little Eiver) Exchange Bill, were read a third time. HOUSE OF EEPEESENTATIVES. Satitbday, November 24. The House met at 2.30. members' privileges. Mr Fox, as a question of privilege, drew attention to a report of a speech delivered h Auckland by Dr. Wallis, member for Citj West, at a public meeting there a few day t ago, when, amongst other things, Dr. Wallit had said that every fourth man in the House

was a political trimmer and rogue. He simply wised to bring the matter before the notice of the House, declining to comment upon them. Mr Stout quoted from the Auckland " Star," stating that the "Herald's" report, from which Mr Fox quoted was false. He moved that the House do adjourn. Mr Roue said the " Star" was as much a party paper as the "Herald," but it did not dare to contradict the fact that Dr. Wallis had used the words. It was the duty of every member to defend the character of the House, which represented the intelligence and worth of the people of New Zealand. It was a dirty bird that fouled its own nest and pandered to the lowest passions of an Auckland mob. The contempt of the House should rest on him for ever.

Mr Mandeks said a number of contemptible and cowardly insinuations had emanated from impure sources this year, injuring the purity of members in a way which no gentleman could notice. The Press, under the influence of Ministers, had been guilty of the most disgraceful license in attacking members.

Mr Macandrew having been specially alluded to by the last speaker, denied having had any communication with the Press. Mr Rolleston thought it very wrong that members, having obtained leave of absence from the House on private affairs, should go back and attempt to influence the passions of their constituents in every way to affect the deliberations of the House. The mere imputations of Dr. Wallis could be treated with contempt, for the House itself, under Sir G. Grey's leadership, had now got into the habit of making disgraceful imputations on all its own public men. Sir Robebt Douglas said the real question was had Dr. Wallis made the remarks attributed to him. He moved that the Speaker communicate with Dr. Wallis and ask if he had used the words.

Mr Reynolds thought the House was making itself thoroughly ridiculous with its constant cases of privilege. The best way to treat such remarks as were attributed to Dr. Wallis was to take no more notice of them.

Captain Moeeis thought it only Mr to ask Dr. Wallis if he was correctly reported. Captain RUSSELI thought these privilege cases were becoming utterly ridiculous. Mr Keid had read Dr. Wallis's remarks with great regret, having previously had great respect for him. If there were so many dishonest men in the House, the honest men, like Dr. Wallis, should certainly not have gone away and left the proportion of the dishonest greater. Sir Geobge Geey was not surprised at Mr Fox attaching Dr. Wallis after the way the way the latter had acted in regard to the Local Option Bill. He could not agree with Mr Rolleston that members during session should not address public meetings. It was constantly done in England. Members had a perfect right to instruct their constituents on questions before Parliament, and to excite public interest in those questions. He would always maintain the right of himself and others to do so.

Mr Rolleston said the point was, had members a right to absent themselves from parliamentary duties to go and address meetings, abusing those who were attending to their duty. Sir Q-. G-eey said they had an undoubted right. It would be tyranny of the grossest kind, subversive of every principle of public liberty and right, to say otherwise, and to prevent the minority appealing against the majority to the source from which both derived their power. He had not himself, as Mr Rolleston had said, made general charges, but had exposed specific wrongs, and Mr Rolleston had assisted him. He had not vilified the honor of any proportion of members of the House, but had complained of wrong, as to which he had accused the Government of conniving. He was prepared to prove everything he had said in this way, and no one had encouraged him more in doing his duty in this way than Mr Rolleston.

Major ATKINSON said not one of the j charges Sir George Grey had mado against the late Government had ever been substantiated. He challenged Sir George Grey, J now lie was in office, to substantiate one, j whether in regard to the Piako Swamp i or anything else. Sir George Grey had | never had the manliness to retract. Mr j Rolleston had condemned the actions ofi?the j late Government as errors of judgment, which honest men might commit, but which rendered their removal from oliice desirable, while Sir G. Grey always accused them of corrupt actions, instigated by corrupt motives. Only the other day Sir G. Grey made a contemptible charge against him as the leader of the House, of being instigated in this action to get back to office for the sake of drawing his monthly pay. To Sir G. Grey was absolutely and entirely due the demoralised state into which the House had got. Before his advent the House took it for granted that the actions of public men were guided by honor and honesty, and only their judgment and policy were attacked. Now disgraceful imputations of corrupt motives were constantly bandied about. Sir G. Grey had absolutely failed when he descended from generalities to particulars. As to Dr. Wallis's statements, they had better be left alone as unworthy of notice. Members clearly had a right to address their constituents during the session, but they should inform the House. It was like false pretences to obtain leave on private affairs and then start a political campaign. He urged Sir Robert Douglas to withdraw his amendment. Mr Delautotjb did not think the House any worse now than it was in previous years, and he quoted examples. Mr Ballance referred at length to some of Major Atkinson's remarks in reference to the charges of land jobbing made against the late Ministers. Mr Rees reminded Major Atkinson that his challenge might be taken up. The late Ministers were actually open to criminal prosecution. Major Atkinson —For what ? Mr Risks —In regard to the Piako Swamp, and for libel. Major Atkinson —Will the hon. member prosecute us for the Piako Swamp. Mr Rees—l will, and for libel too, if the hon. member likes it.

Major Atkinson—No doubt; want it for libel (?) Mr Rbes continued by saying that the words attributed to Dr. WaHi3 were, if made, utterly indefensible. Mr Swanson thought there was nothing improper in a member, when at homo ou private business, addressing a public meeting. He did not defend Dr. Wallis for using such words, but if anyone in the gallery that day thought that members believed the accusations they had just been making against each ether. probably he would come to the conclusion that

Dr Wallis's words were not so far wide of the mark after all.

Mr Stout thought far worse language wa:used in the House some sessions ago than now, as now new members were able to retaliate on the old ones, who were getting tired of it in consequence. Mr Stout then spoke at Borne length on the Piako Swamp and Waitoii land purchase cases. The charges of improper conduct made against the late Ministers in regard to these matters he would report at his first public meeting, so that Major Atkinson and his friends might, if they dared, sue him for damages. He was prepared to prove the truth of those charge* in any court of law. The motion for adjournment was then negatived, and Sir R. Douglas withdrew his motion. DK. GREENWOOD. A Bill to grant a pension to Dr. Greenwood, sorgeant-af-arins, was received by message from the Governor. lAN]) TRANSACTIONS. Major Atkinson then moved the adjournment of the House again to give him an opportunity of replying to remarks made in the previous debate by Messrs Ballance, Stout, Rees, Sir G. G-rey, and others, in reference to the Piako Swamp and other land cases. He gave a full detailed account of everything done in regard both to the Piako and Waitoa lands. Mr Stout replied, saying that Major Atkinson's statements were entirely incorrect. He gave his version of the transactions. Sir G. Grey, at considerable length, reviewed the action of the late Government in reference to the land cases in question, and he intimated his intention of seeking such an alteration of the law as would enable the House and country to know what was done by the Executive in the name of the Governor-in-Oouncil, and which would render Ministers responsible under penalties for what they did in this way. Major Atkinson having replied in another long speech, The motion for adjournment was negatived. RAILWAY MATERIAL. In reply to Mr Ormond, Sir G. Grey said he presumed the Government had not countermanded any orders for railway material sent to England by the late Government. They had countermanded an order for railway tickets. Evening Sitting. The Eoxton Reserves Bill was introduced by Mr Johnston. The following Bills were read a third time: —Foxton Harbor Bill, Councils Bill, Roxburgh Reserves Amendment Bill, Southland Girls' and Boys' High School Bill. The Duration of the House of Representatives Bill was discharged on a division by 31 to 21.

On the motion for going into committee on the Native Marriages Validation Bill, Sir R. Douglas and Captain Moeeis opposed it as being retrospective. It would invalidate many land contracts. Captain Moeeis said Maori women would rather live in adultery than sacrifice their land, and it was very distasteful to the natives. He moved —"That it be referred to the Native Affairs Committee." Mr Sheehabt assented to this ; and it was agreed to. The Crown Redress Extension Bill (No. 1) passed through committee, and was read a third time by 27 to 15. The Waikato Harbor Endowment Bill, the G-isborne Harbor Bill, and the Mining Companies Act Amendment Bill were read a second time.