PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1702, 4 August 1879, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

[By Telegraph.] [" pbbs9 ** csbbbßpondehts.] WELLINGTON, August 2. Between eight and ten last night the House witnessed the most lively debate that has been seen there for years. Ihe two knights began with a little polite sparring, and on the motion to go into committee Sir W. Fox took occasion to let Sir George understand that he was no longer the leader, but must be the obedient humble servant of the House This galled the Premier, and he howled defiance at the House in the wildest language, and then proceeded to hold forth to the galleries hia chosen election cries. It was intended that he should not be answered, and he seemed to presume on that, but just before he sat down a messr.ge was brought to Mr Saunders to be up and at him, which he did, with an energy and effect that electrified the House and brought rounds of applause as he drove each heavy nail home into Sir George's coffin and turned his own speech completely on himself. Mr Rees, ascsualwas put up to abuse Mr Saunders, but as soon as he stood on his legs there was a rush to the door, which seemed to have a very cooling effect on his eloquence, and he was neither so long nor so violent, or even so loud as uaual. The naw member for Dunedin made a sound sensible speech, in a voice well suited to the House, and wa3 followed by the young member for Nelson. Then Mr Gisborne rase, and quite forgetting that he was not a Pitt, though Minister of Mines, lectured the House on constitutional practice, and told them that the great Pitt had ruled without a majority in Par'iament. This was nuts for Mr Wakefield, and gave hita a fine opportunity to ridicule the poor Minister for Mines, and to taunt the Premier on his ridiculous proposals and unconstitutional tendencies, an opportunity which he of course made the best of in a splendid speech. When he sat down Mr Moaa again cleared the House, and there were no more amendments except what resulted from Mr Moss's friends having to call for a count out, in order to bring a quorum of members to hear him. Mr Bussell made a short neat speech, very much to the point. Sir G. Grey's supporters are very disgusted with their prospects, and would gladly give up the dissolution, but Sir George would not be set aside, and is quits confident that a few weeks iu the Hinemoa would again raise the whole country in his favor. _ His plan, as it came out last night, was to entirely ignore the Governor's condition, and under pretence of preparing new electoral rolls, to put off the elections until December. As the House would of course sot meet in harvest time, this would practically keep the Ministry in office for another year, in defiance of Parliament. So little does the Premier think of the verdict of the people's representatives or of Constitutional Government that he dared the House, and evidently hoped it would attempt to refuse supplies. He would not care a straw about the consequences of our lean being on the English market at a time when a New Zealand Premier was setting all law at defiance, and spending our money in utter contempt of Parliamentary control. A "sick Marchioness is no more to him than a poor girl," he says; hut the retention of a head-sick Premier is of more consequence than all the credit, prosperity, or even the very existence of the colony. It ia generally considered that Sir George Grey ia floundering deeper and deeper as the plot thickens, and only yesterday it was currently reported in the Government Buildings that the Grey party had called a meeting, and after reviewing his actions as leader, they passed a vote of censure upon h. f m. The report, however, is not credited, though there is no doubt that the party are dissatisfied altogether, and want to get rid of him as leader. last night, when he delivered himself in such an extraordinary manner, the more intelligent of his followers looked quite dazed, and were apparently at a loss ti conceive what had possessed him. The reason the Opposition are trying to prevent the Government making any appointments to the Legislative Council is that it is known they intend finding seats in the Upper House for all their defeated and unfortunate supporters, the first claimants for the honor being Messrs. Bees, Shrimski, Carrington, and Gisborne.

Colonel Brett is reported to be dangerously ill. It is alleged that the Grey ptuty do not want a dissolution, that in fact he does not want it himself, and never expected to get it, and altogether would very much rather bring affairs to a deadlock, so that he might be enabled to go before the country with a grievance. Last night Mr Beea took the House by surprise. He apoke in a rational and ordinary manner, and in deprecating that so much heat had beea displayed, censured his chief by implication. Mr Barton's notice of motion making serious reflections on the Judges has been materially modified.

It ia understood that the result of the Opposition caucus was that the passing of the Electoral, Representation and Chinese Bills having been opposed by Sir W. Fox, the Government should confine their proposals to be submitted to the House to the Loan Bill and supplies. The question of the elections was discussed, and a majority of those present were in favor of the writs being returnable in September, go that the polling may take place on the basis of the rolls to come into operation on Sept. 1. Mr Sheehan has promised to land his assistance in passing of the important private Bills before dissolution.

It ia reported that Sir R. Douglas is disqualified. Mr Reeves will move for a railway commission to inquire into the grievances of Natives on the West Coast.

'Mr Sheehan will Btand for the Thames along with Sir G. Grey. Major Willis is to be brought out for Rangitikei.

It ia reported that the Hutt residents will bring forward another candidate to oppose Mr Jackson, lately elected, and who gave hia vote with the Grey party.