PARLIAMENTARY.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 381, 30 June 1876, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

(From the' Guardian:') Wellington, June 25. The first serious debate of the session was almost completed on Friday night. The Otago men have taken little part in the discussion. Only Stout and de Lautour, indeed, spoke during the debate. Maeandrew, who moved the adjournment, will no doubt say something. The longest speech made was that made by Whitaker in defence of the Swamp transaction. The speech fell to special pleading throughout, and was by no means successful. He admitted that he was one of the parties making the bargain; indeed declared that he was the treasurer of the whole party. This declaration is likely to lead to bis ease being referred to a disqualification committee to judge whether Whitaker can sit. It seems probable be cannot under the existing Act. The latter part of his speech was very personal and offensive. lie attacked Grey and J?olleston bitterly, and connected Kolleston's name with the Sealey scandal, and alleged that he had to do with the purchase of the Hungahunga timber to by Grey. He also accused 'Grey of appointing an auditor for Auckland, a visiting justice of the Asylum, at a salary of £SO, hoping to influence him.

Mr. Holleston refuted the accusation about the Sealey scandal amidst the applause of the Canterbury members, and declared his ccnneetion with the Ilungahunga purchase to consist in having placed a small sum iu Mr. AVbitaker's hands for investment, and when he beard bow invested that he at once demanded its return, and got back the mouey. Sir George Grey explained the appointment of the auditor in a few words, and Whittaker is felt to have prejudiced his own cause much by these attacks. The impending speech of the member for Geraldine came ofF. The results scarcely justified the preparation, consisting:, n* it did, of a not very clear statement that the Swamp, being confiscated land, the Government was bound to do something that they had not done. What they should have

done did not appear, and he meant to vote for the Government resolution. The reason for this detennation ho omitted to give. Nearly all have spoken with very poor results. Teschcmaker had only to say that he could not understand the matter, but knew which side to vote on. He was over-indignant in proportion to his size (which is very great) at the Assemhly debating the matter, which he could not understand,; and begged they would stop at-once. Mr. Stevens thought the whole thing a mess, and discreditable, and should therefore vote for the Government resolution, so that no more might be said about it. Mr. Kowe made a very strong speech against the Government, but ended by saying that, as "Whitaker assured him the Swamp matter was all right, and he knew how incapable Messrs. "Whitaker and Uussell were of doing anything in the least wrong (from personal experience), he should vote for the resolution. On the whole the debate leaves a very bad impression on the Rouse. Nothing short, of a threat of resignation could prevent Stout's amendment being carried, as nearly all the speakers have fully endorsed in their speeches everything it says. It is now manifest that nearly all the speaking power is on' the side of the Opposition, even more so than in the last Assembly. Mr. Whitaker, who was expected to be effective, was merely tiresome ancl ill-tempered. The correspondence relating to the loan greatly increases the disgust felt in the House at the tone of Voxel's correspondence. It is felt to be serious that the Crown ageuis refuse absolutely to act in the future with Vogel in any way; and Vogel's attempt, after this declaration, to dismiss them, merely adds point to the whole thing. This, as well as the banking account correspondence, will be severely commented upon, as indeed it has been already by K Wood, who intimated that A r ogel had lost his head since he had been admitted into the modern order of chivalry. Juno 28. The Government say the Financial Statement is ready, and would have been made to-day but for the unprincipled conduct of the Opposition re the Piako Swamp. This is only a ruse to excite discontent with tho Opposition. The division to-morrow is expected to take place early in the evening, as very few more speakers are likely to take part. It is understood- that a considerable majority will vote for the G overnuicnl resolution, as, although most speakers have endorsed the statement of the amendment, <he Government refuses to accept, and at present no one is anxious to turn out the Ministry.

So tar the Government business seems to be unusually backward. Some say they are waiting to see how " the cat jumps" before committing themselves. It is said that the latest move in the political world is founded on Featherston's illness. It is expected he must resign, and that Vogel will succeed him as Agent-General, Stafford coming in as premier, bringing his Canterbury chickens to add strength to the Government. The success of this scheme manifestly depends on the position of Featherston. It i 3 hardly likely he would-either die or resign to get Vogel and his friends out of a scrape, if lie can avoid it.