GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Kumara Times, Issue 2992, 5 June 1886, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION. THE MAJORITY FOR the GOVERNMENT. WORK OF THE SESSION. [from our own correspondent.] Wellington, June 4. The enormous majority of 16 for the Government in the division on the amendment to Mr Montgomery's uoconfidence motion " that the words proposed to be omitted stand part of the question" can be partially accounted for from the fact that, though dissatisfied with the Government, they (the majority of the members of the HoUvse) do not think that following Mr Montgomery would improve matters. The West Coast members voted in block with the Government. The member for Kumara was set down as doubtful all through. All doubts were soon ended when the division was called: be was one of the first in the Ayes lobby. " Better the deil ye ken than the deil ye dinna ken " evidently was his guide on this occasion. He has at all times advised unity of action amongst "West Coast members, unci, perhaps behig blessed with a good memory, considered it best to practice what he advised. The works of the session will now be vigorously pushed on, and six weeks should see it closed. This mistake of Mr Montgomery's has placed Ministers firmer in their seats than ever, whilst the Opposition proper can fervently utter the old sayiug "Save us from onr friends!" The member for Akama as a leader has penally failed. He has the haopy

knack of always doing the right thing at the wrong time. If an amendment on the address had been moved, Government would not have had a majority. June 5. The proceedings in the House yesterday were tame. The Native Lands Bill and the Municipal Corporations Bill were passed through Committee. The Counties Act Amendment Bill was read a second time. Two clauses of the Estimates were passed, and the House adjourned. In answer to Mr Seddon, the Premier stated that the second reading of the Gold Duties Abolition Bill would take place on Tuesday next. The Kimberbey rush will act as a mighty lever towards forcing the legislature to remove some of the intolerable burdens that act as an embargo to the mining industry. The Coal Mining Bill provides for miners holding certificates of couipeency. The member for Kuraara pointed out that persons in charge of the %vindiug gear should also hold certificates. *. — [united press association.] Wellington, June 3. j The following is the division list on the no-confidence amendment motion : | Ayes, 44. Allwright M'Millan Ballance Menteath Bevan Moat Bradshaw O'Callaghan Brown Pere Cadman Pratt Cowan Reese Dargaville Reid Dixon Richardson, E. Fraser Ross Gore Samuel Grace Seddon Guinness Steward, W. J. Hakuene Stewart, W. D. Hatch Stout Holmes Taylor Hursthouse Te Ao Ivess Thompson, T. Lance Tole Larnach Turnbull Levestam Yogel M'Kenzie, J. Walker Noes, 28. Atkinson Lake Barron Lock Beetham M' Arthur Buchanan M'Kenzie, M. J. S. Bruce Mitchelson Buckland, J. C. Montgomery Buckland, W. F. Moss Conolly Ormond Dodson Richardson, G. F. Fergus Rolleston Fulton Russell Hirst Thomson, J. W. Hislop ' Trimble Hobbs Wilson Pairs. For: Against : Coster Hurst Joyce Peacock Fitzherbert Johnston Kerr Fisher Garrick Wakefield Macandrew Grey Pearson Sutter Harper Bryce Smith Whyte O'Conor Newman June 4. The House met at 2.30. On the motion for going into Committee of Supply. Atkinson said after the vote taken yesterday the Opposition would not attempt any factious opposition, but they threw the responsibility of making reductions on the Government. The House went into Committee of Supply for the consideration of the Estimates. In Committee on the Municipal Corporations Bill the whole sitting up to ten o'clock was occupied by the discussion of the bill. A large number of clauses were passed without any material alteration. Clause 406, Council may contribute funds for school buildings. Hatch moved to strike out the clause. Lost by 27 to 10. Remainder of bill was then passed, leaving only some of the proposed clauses to be dealt with.