PARLIAMENTARY.

Hawke's Bay Times, Issue 1600, 7 August 1874, Page 314

PARLIAMENTARY.

[by electric telegraph.] (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Wellington, 4th August. The debate on the® Forest Bill still continues. The Bill will probably be thrown out on the second reading, the general idea being that Mr Vogel’s object in introducing the measure was to preserve a certain portion of the provincial estate for the purpose of liquidating Colonial liabilities.

A grave scandal has arisen here in consequence of the publication in the Southern Cross of transactions which took place before the committee of inquiry into, the Ward-Chapman telegraphic scandal case. As it would appear that the sender of the. telegram is a member of the House, it is probable that all inquiry will be burked ; but the breach of privilege is about as gross as can be conceived. The Tribune republished the telegram this evening. Mr Mackay reports favorably on •Taiaroa’s claim to land in the Southern Island.

sth August.

Russell, of Auckland, is the moving spirit here in the agitation for the consolidation of the Provinces of the North Island. A caucus of members approving of the proposal was held last night, and Reader Wood, if the Government will not bring down proposals for consolidation, will do so himself. The impression is general among the members that provincialism should have been abolished at the time of the inauguration of the public works policy. Mr Vogel’s speech is considered to be the most injudicious he has ever uttered. Macandrcw is dissatisfied and disgusted; and in his treatment of Wellington Mr Vogel is considered to have shown very bad taste and bad temper. Mr Luckic, the editor of the Cross, and supposed sender of the telegram concerning the select committee on the Ward-Chapman case, is to bo brought before the bar of the House for publishing the proceedings. A select committee has been appointed in both Houses to inquire into the matter. The Otago members have agreed to the apportionment of 500,000 acres for educational purposes. Two millions of acres are required for general purposes by Mr Vogel. Macandrew is exceedingly irate against Vogel, and the Premier is no less irate at his henchman. Vogel has shown the card he contemplated playing next session, and which he intended to keep in his sleeve in the meantime; and has thus been entrapped into expressions of opinion which are looked upon as impolitic and injudicious. O’Rorke, Reynolds, and McLean, strongly opposed the proposal of provincial consolidation in the North. There are about forty-six members of the House connected with provincial institutions who will defeat the centralist scheme if possible. Mr Vogel, having counted heads, thought he would have 43, but now finds he. can only get 26 supporters. Fitzherbcrt and Vogel are very bitter. Fitzherbcrt will organize and lead an opposition if no other person can be found to do so. The Provinces of course will beat any man at present, and many say that if the country were appealed to on the centralism cry, the provincialists would carry the day. Mr Vogel, rumor says, Ims not the pluck nor the nerve to try the issue.

A caucus of /Auckland members has been hold, but nothing has been agreed on.

The Ward-Chapman committee are getting into heavy weather, It is rumored that Macarthy (? Macassey) will be summoned to attend, as well as Mr James Smith, and a female named Croker.

6th August.

There is considerable excitement here regarding Mr Vogel's speech in reply on the forest question, which is generally regarded as one of the most injudicious he has yet made. The provincialists are all up in arms. A caucus of Otago members, convened by Macandrew, was .held today. Fifteen attended, among who m were Macandrew, Bradshaw, Gi][j eS) Murray, Tolmie, Mervyn, Thomp son) Reid, McGlashan, Brown, Steward, Shepherd, and others. The object of the meeting was to consider the proposed constitutional changes, and the general feeling was that until some definite proposals were made, it was not possible that any resolution could be arrived at. A strong determination found expression to resist any proposal affecting the integrity of the Provinces and their institutions, especially as regarded the land fund. Some thought that if an Act passed confirming the compact of 1856, the South need not fear, whatever changes took place in the North ; but the view of the majority was that if any interference was once permitted in the North, the same thing would follow in the South.

Before the committee to-day Mr Luckie said he had sent a report of Judge Ward's evidence to the Southern Cross, but declined giving any information as to the source whence he obtained it.

Mr Macfarlane petitions the House against Mr Von der Heyde’s return. A petition has to be presented to the Returning Officer in Auckland signed by the electors who voted for him.