PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 284, 14 August 1874, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

(From our special correspondent.) Wellington, Thursday, 11 p m. There was'a warm discussion over the Immigration Loan Bill last night. Fitzherbert moved the ipsue of short dated debentures, and that they should be limited to a million. Beeves, G-iilies, and others said Yogel tacitly consented to do so on the previous evening, which Yogel denied. Wilson supported Yogel, as also Wood, .who said Reeves—the latest adherent of the Opposition, and the rumored probable Minister of the latter—had hinted the possibility ef a change in the Go-vernment.—-Gillies charged the Government with arrogance, nnd, on Vogel telling him that he would never be successful in Opposition so long as he opposed things for the sake of opposition, Gillies said he would withdraw the wc?d arrogance, and substitute impu dence. The Bill was passed. The chief opponents of the Otago Lands Bill were Campbell, Brett, Holmes,. Stokes, Hart, and Miller. Campbell's amendment, that the Bill be. read that day six months, was carried on a division by 14 to 13. Campbell protested against selling land at 14s. 10d., which was well worth £3. Experience in Victoria showed that the deferred payment system was a disastrous one. It inflicted a great hardship on the Otago runholders. It. would be an Absolute breach of faith if there was any further tampering with the law. —Brett denounced the deferred payment system as a curse to the country. In Canterbury the farms so purchased are easily recognisable—there being nothing but misery and wretchedness. The limit should not exceed 45,000 acres.—Holmes had been inclined to give the system a fair trial, but a year's' experience, and the peculiar position of the Province with respect to land, led him to the irresistible conclusion that it would be doing the Province a serious injury to extend the area. He instanced the experience of Victoria and Auckland, where land was sold under deferred payments wortli s()s.—Miller regarded the system as the quickest way of exhausting the value of the soil.—Paterson, though he opposed the system, began to think it might eventually be advantageous. He and Pollen decided in accordance with the wishes of the Provincial Government.— Waterhouse said the system was the only way of settling the immigrants. He blamed the Council for the confusion of the Otago JlaiKl lava. — Menzies, in replying, said that if the half million loan was refused, the Provincial Council would have to be called together.—On first taking the voices it was

thought fche noes had it. Wi Tako's vote decided the question.—The division was— Ayes: Acland, Baillie, Bonar, Brett, Fraser, Kenny, Menzies, Paterson, Peacock,. Pollen, Richmond, Eobmson, Waterhouse,. Noes— Buckley, Campbell, Chamberlain, Gray, Hart, Holmes, Mantel], Miller, Ngatata, Morse, Russell, Stokes, Taylor, Williamson. The Council threw out the clause in the ■Municipal Gasworks Bill authorising Municipalities to levy a rate not exceeding one shilling in the pound, as security to money-len-ders. Its effect on the Dunedin Gas Bill will have to be considered. Vogel, in introducing the Abolition of Provinces resolutions will speak the whole of the afternoon sitting. The debate will then be adjourned- till Monday. The Opposition held a caucus last night. It is said the new Government are already named. The Ministerialists claim a majority of twelve or fifteen. It is admitted they it will be so small as to prevent them carrying through, and a dissolution must result. Beeves has gone over to the Opposition, and Macandcew also.

Otago is. divided, but the bulk vote with Macandrew.

Wellington, with the exception of Andrew, Bryce, and Fox vote with Fitzherbert. The latest estimate is, Ministerialists say, 6 to 9, and fclie Opposition 4 to 6. At the conclusion of "Vogel's speech. Reeves will move the previous question, to test the feeling of the House, that the debate then be adjourned. The Government are anxious for delay in order that Stafford might arrive in time to speak on Monday. My first estimate of a majority of from 12 to 15 pretty correct. Great excitement here over the debate. Reid obtained leave to introduce a Bill for the better administration of the Waste Lands of Otago. As a result of a consultation with •he Premier as to the best way of giving effect to the wishes of the House, the Bill is to be the same as the one rejected by the Council, but omits the clause referring to deferred payments. First reading agreed to ; second reading fixed for Wednesday. Yogel has just announced that the Government had just received intelligence, that Forbes was unable to carry out the Californian line. Whether Hall will do so, he could not say. He believed arrangements might be made with contractors for new ships to carry it on. It was not desirable to have a discussion till the Government had communicated with new Fouth Wales.

Vogel moved the Abolitfon of Provinces resolutions in a capital speesh. In conclusion, O'Borke rose and said he refused to desert at a moments notice the principles lie had held for fourteen years, and be called a traitor. His joining Vogel was not of his own seeking. He would not have joined if he thought Vogel carried such weapons to stab the Province of He was opposed to the whole thing, and would retire from the Ministry. An unparalleled scene followed. The Opposition attempted to prevent Vogel speaking. He, however, said such an exhibition as O'TCorke had made was never known before It was unheard of for a Minister to adopt such a course before retiring; while, as a matter of fact, lie was still his colleague; Reevea then moved the previous question, and the debate was adjourned till Monday.

LATEST. (From a correspondent.) The Goldfields Bill No. 2, which provides for the pollution-of streams, is practically shelved for the session; T. L. Shepherd's advocacy prevents many members from supporting it. His manner, when speaking, is offensive to House, creating opposition to anything he brings forward, and is doing the Goldfields great injury. Members won't tolerate him. His whole aim is being reported in 'Hansard,' and he is continually boring people to read his speeches therein. The Four Million Bill passed through Committee last evening without amendment. It gives the Government authority to raise the whole amount at six per cent. Vogel has just intimated the receipt of telegram# from the contractors of the Californian mail service, announcing their inability of carrying on and the termination of the present contract. Tn the meantime, we have to depend upon the service via Suez. Vogel is now moving hia Abolition of Provinces resolutions, and threatens, if they are not carried, to appeal to the country. In lieu of Provinces, he proposes to substitute local control over local revenues, such as at Timaru; the land revenue to be Colonial, for loan and other purposes; certain Superintendents are to be pensioned, and General Government agents appointed instead; and Provincial officials can enter the General Government service if disposed. It is expected that the Government will have-a majority of ten-

A very general desire exists to appropriate the land revenue for Colonial purposes. Vogel is very anxious for a dissolution. The Government are withdrawing ail measures which create discussion.

The Assembly is expected to prorogue or dissolve in ten days. Immediately after Vogel finished his speech, Mr. O'Rorke, Minister of Justice, rose' in his place, and, in very strong language, denounced the Government, and immediately left the Government benches, and walked out of- the House amid considerable cheering.

Vogel got up in a great rage,: and attempted to address the House, reflecting on the conduct of his colleague, Mr. O'Korke. There was considerable uproar, during "which the House suddenly adjourned the debate, to be resumed next Monday. The Government intend proposing £20,C00 compensation to the Dunedin Distillery for loss suffered by them in the increase of duty. The South Sea Scheme is to be abandoned for this year.

The Duke of Norfolk has given £IOOO towards the purchase of an organ for the Roman Catholic Church of St. Mary's at Sheffield. The Firemen's Exemption from Juries Act, has passed both Houses of Parliament. The members of the Legislative Council were unanimous in expressions of admiration of the New Zealand Fire Brigades.