The No-Confidence Debate.

Hastings Standard, Issue 80, 29 July 1896, Page 3

The No-Confidence Debate.

* OPENS THIS AFTERNOON. [By Telegraph.] (From our Special Correxpontlent.) Wellington, this day. Just before the Speaker left the chair at 5.30 yesterday, the Leader of the Opposition gave notice of the following motion for Friday next: " That the administration of the Government has been unsatisfactory; that while they have professed to have abstained from borrowing the public debt has increased between, 31st March, 1891, and 31st March, 1896, by £4,928,851; that in seizing the sinking funds of the local bodies they have diverted the intention of the Loans to Local Bodies Act; they have used for the purpose of revenue the capital sums specially provided by the ratepayers for the purpose of paying their loans, and are depleting the Land Transfer Assurance Fund for a similar ptirpose ; that the alteration in the Customs and Excise Duties Act, 1895, passed by the Government has imposed further taxation upon the people, and increased the charges upon the necessaries of life." The Premier at once rose to say that the motion was one of direct want of confidence in the Government, and he could not proceed with the business till it was disposed of. He charged Captain Russell with tabling it so that members who had not got in their speeches on the Financial debate could now make them. Captain Russell retorted that he was not surprised at the manner in which the motion had been treated (laughter). He had asked that it be taken on Friday so as not to interfere with the of private members. However, in response to the wish of the leader of the House, he would move his motion at half past two the following day. In moving the adjournment of the House till that hour, the Premier said the allusion to sinking funds was a species of bird lime to catch one or two members. The motion for adjournment was unanimously agreed to. As it is contrary to Parliamentary etiquette for the Council to sit while a no-confidence motion is proceeding, the Hon Mr Walker will, on the Council re-assembling this afternoon, move its adjournment till Tuesday. Mr Maslin, on behalf of the "left wing," moves as an amendment to Captain Russell's no-confidence motion the omission of all the words save as to the confiscation of the sinking funds of local bodies.