PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 252, 27 September 1865, Page 3

PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT.

(from a correspondent.)

Wellington, Sept 14. The debate on Mr Russell's resolutions — a copy of which was forwarded to you by the last mail—terminated at twenty minutes past 1 o'clock yesterday morning; the result being a majority of fourteen for the Government, Mr Weld's amendment, which would have pledged those members who voted for it against the theory of Separation, fell through in consequence of Mr Dillon Bell moving the adjournment of the House immediately after the resolutions had been negatived. A rather extraordinary arrangement with regard to the moves of the Auckland party has lately come to light. It appears that there is a society in Auckland which directs the politics of the Province, and that all the Auckland members that came down pledged themselves to vote together in every division without regard to the subject or their own convictions. Mr Mason, the Mayor of Dunedin, who sits for an Aubkland constituency, has caused great indignation amongst his colleagues by refusing to be guided by any Provincial caucus> and in the division yesterday morning did not vote at all. A general feeling prevails in the House that the Government would act wisely in moderating their financial policy, so far as to postpone any proposition for the increase of taxation until the meeting of the new Parliament in June next year. Several motions to this effect are already on the paper, so that the matter will be thoroughly discussed within the next few days. The Mining Companies Bill has passed through committee with few alterations, and these suggested by Mr Haughtm, who brought in the Bill. The necessary documents are to be lodged in duplicate with the Warden instead of the clerks of the District Courts, and it is rendered imperative upon that officer to forward one of such duplicates to the register of the Supreme Court. Mr Brodie, as chairman of the Goldfields Committee, h«s brought in the Bill recommended by them, which stands for the second reading to day, and will probably be committed at once. There will be a fight over some of the clauses, but the mining interest fortunately, has very warm and powerful friends in the House, including the principal members of the Government. The Canterbury member— Mr Wilkin, whose name is well known in the Wakatip—may be especially mentioned as deserving the thanks of the mining population. The Representative Bill has not yet been brought forward for the second reading; it is probable it will meet with very serious opposition; Mr Stafford, being prepared, it is said, to bring forward a scheme for adjusting the representation on an entirely different principle to that adopted by the Government. The session is likely to be a very prolonged one, the general opinion being that the prorogation will not take place before the end of October. The dissolution will not immediately follow as it will be necessary to form two Electoral Rolls, in consequence of the readjustment in some form or other of the districts. In your part of the country two members have already intimated their intantion of not coming forward at the general election —Messrs Mantell (Wallace), and Wayne (Hampden). The former will be a considerable loss to the House, not only from his acknowledged talent, but from the fact that he is a most amusing speaker, and a great relief amongst the " noble army of prosers," who form the bulk of our Representatives. Mr Haughton has taken up the grievances of Oamaru, and has given notice to-day that he will, on the 21st inst, move—"That the petition of the inhabitants of Oamaru be considered, and that in accordance with the prayer of such petition the Government be requested to bring in a Bill proproviding for the establishmedt of Local Boards with municipal authority, having power over a certain portion of the land fund." This resolution, it is said, is supported by an influential section of the House, and will meet with no opposition from the Government. There is no doubt it will be bitterly opposed by the Ultra-Provincialists, of whom, wost unfortunately, there are too many in both Houses. Amongst the Otago members, Messrs Reynolds and Burns distinguish themselves for their obstinate and unreasonable advocacy of the retention of the of the loaves and fishes by the Provincial aothorities. Nothing will really ever be done for the outlying districts until the present Provincial sytem receives its death blow. Mr Haughton's motion, if carried, will certainly effect the introduction of the thin edge of the wedge, and as there is a general feeling in and out of the House in favor of municipal institutions, the day may not be far distant when they will entirely supersede the present cumbrous and expensive machinery of government.

The 1 Nelson Examiner' does not approve of the treatment Ministers have received. It says: —" The fate of the Ministry has been at stake, and we are in doubt at this moment whether it has had to succumb to the wretched combination arrayed against it, or has triumphed over its opponents. • • • The Auckland members scarcely expect ft victory, and threaten to send emissaries through the Middle Island on the eve of the forthcoming elections, in order to make converts of the electors to their desire to sacrifice the future greatness of New Zealand to their miserably narrow and selfish vanity."