PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1984, 3 July 1880, Page 4

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

[Bt Teibqeath.] fFEOM OUE OWK COBEBBPOITDBNT.J WELLINGTON. July 2. The only miscalculation of the Government whips as to last night’s division was in count* ing on Tamoana’s vote. He, however, turned round at the last moment, to please his constituents, as the Government were quite safe. He was counterbalanced by the absence of Mr J. T. Fisher, who was absent without pairing. Mr Ireland walked out of the House without voting, as he said he should. This, therefore, leaves the Government majority practically unchanged. A caucus of Government supporters is to be held to-morrow, to agree upon a specific system of reduction and taxation. At present no serious difficulty is anticipated in arriving at a good understanding. It is certain, how- ' ever, that all the Government measures now before Parliament cannot possibly be dealt with this session. The statement that the Hinemoa is to be laid up, and that the officers and crew have received notice that their services will be dispensed with at the end of the present month Is incorrect. The Government do not feel justified in laying up the steamer until Native matters on the West Coast are more settled. At the samo time, it is deemed practicable to work the vessel with a small permanent staff, and notice, therefore, has been given to some of the hands, whose places will be filled up as required. In reference to the action of the Parihaka Maoris in digging up the ground and sowing wheat across the constabulary road line, telegrams received by the Government state that the men who were engaged in digging and wheat sowing were those detained at Parihaka by Te Whiti to assist him in sowing wheat for the coming season. They only dug up ground which had already been cultivated and had borne one or two potato crops, not new

ground, as might be inferred from some reports published, and the work done simply consisted in carrying on the regular cultivation of tho laud previously under tillage. It is also incorrect that they sang “songs of derision,” their only singing being tho customary chant to give time to tho diggers. No difference will bo made ns to proceeding with the road-making, which will go straight on all the same, every care being taken to do no needless injury to Native cultivations. Tho road line is now joined from both ends, and cut right through from camp to camp. Very wet weather has been experienced during the last two or three days, which has somewhat impeded the progress of the work.