PARLIAMENTARY.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 444, 20 October 1877, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Tc'.cgniphail by our Woliington correspondent.) Tuesday. Noon.

Tlie Government met the House' last night. Sir George Grey made a lino speech. A capital impression whs made. Sonic half-dozen bills'were put through a stage, the Houses adjourning early. Tiie Ministry is outpostd as follows — Sir George Grey, Premier, Colonial Secretary, and Commissioner of Customs; Mr. Larnach, Colonial Treasurer and Minister of "Works; Mr. Macandrevr, Minister of Lauds and Immigration ; Mr. Sheehau, Native Minister and Minister of Justice; Fisher, of Canterbury, Postmas-ter-General and Commissioner of Telegraphs. Another Minister is to be appointed iu the House, and one in the " Lords.'' Colonel Whitmore undertakes temporarily • to guide the Government business iu the Upper House. There \vas au immense muster in all the galleries last night. The Government is sure to stand for some time. If defeated, the session is not likely to close this year, unless a-dissolution is obtained.

{From our Exchanges.} SCAN. MAO. AND HOBSE-WHIPPING. A fracas occurred in the street in Wellington on Friday afternoon, 12th instant,' between Mr. James' Mackay, of the Thames, and Mr. Hislop, M.H.K. It seems that the former complained of the latter having circulated or repeated a statement that Mr. Mackay had assisted in making drunk the member who was locked up and rescued on (he night of the division, regarding which matter Dr. Henry made an absurd statement in the House. Mr. Mackay demanded an apology from Mr. Hislop, and some angry correspondence took place, the result being that Mr. Mackay attempted to horse-whip Mr. Hislop in the street, and there was a great row. Mr. Hislop showed great pluck, and seized the whip and broke it, but the two were eventually separated by friends.

One of the results of the defeat of the Government (wires another correspondent) took place on Friday afternoon in the public street, by one James Mackay, of Thames feme, kno'YU as an employe of the Native Land Purchase Department, upon one of our Southern legislators, who, instead of receiving the intended thrashing, gave Mr. Mackay a severe shake, and Mr. Mackay was glad to be let go and beat a hasty retreat amidst the jeers of the assembled crowd. ABOUT THE XQBEIES. Opinions are very much divided as to whether the new Ministry will stand, but if their opening statement is at all satisfactory, they are almost sure to do so. A great many say it is only fair to give them a chance, and the session has reached such a late stage that it would be almost impossible to keep members together through another crisis. It will be difficult enough as it is, to keep a quorum together for the three or four weeks now required to complete the absolutely necessary business. It is considered certain Mr. Ballance will join the Ministry. The Governor has hot promised a dissolution in case of a defeat.

It is said that the late Treasurer, in his Statement, under-estimated the Provincial liabilities by £350,000.

The new Ministers have met all their Under-Secretaries, and taken over their affairs. PKIVILEGE. Mr. Fox, as Chairman of the Privilege Committee on Mr. Lusk's question, gave notice to move that Mr. Lusk's conduct was derogatory to the dignity of Parliament, and that he be required to refund the fees received by him from the Auckland City Council. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. Sir George Grey made his ministerial statement. He said Mr. Larnach had requested his assistance in forming a Ministry, and he had given it, and had endeavored to reconcile the differences arising from the division of the House into three parties. The Ministry was not yet completed, but it was intended shortly to add two members to the Ministry, as well as certain Native Ministers. A thorough consideration of the financial position of the Colony together with every possible retrenchment were, he thought, the most important subjects before the country. They had not had much time to look into the finances of the Colony, but what had been seen showed that retrenchment was absolutely necessary, and in the course of a few days a further imprest would be required to meet current expenditure, as even the last £IOO,OOO granted was more than half expended when they took office. The Colonial liabilities were found greatly to exceed those which they expected to find. The Treasurer would to-morrow make a full statement on the subject. Any financial difficulty was, however, only likely to be temporary. fi.etrenchm.ent could, he thought, best be effected by changing to some extent the mode of administration throughout the Colony. The Provincial Governments had been absolutely destroyed, but not the Provincial system of administration, which caused a vast and useless expenditure, If the administration was concentrated in the hands of the Central Government, very large reduction in expenditure could be made, and large savings could also be be made in the railway management, and to both these subjects the best attention of the Government would be given. Smallet matters would also be attended to in the way of retrenchment, and Ministers intended to set the example of economy by beginning with themselves and reducing their own salaries. As far as possible salaries of small amount would not be interfered with. No public works of importance would bo neglected, but the Immigration and Public YVorks , policy would be carried on fully, and by judicious administration they hoped to be able to carry on. that policy more energetically and more successfully than had yet been the case, having the benefit of the experience of the former Government, who had entered on what was a novel policy, and under great difficulties. He hoped the Government would profit by the experience of the past regarding native lands. They proposed to withdraw the Native Lands Sales Suspension Bill. The Act.of 1873 gave the Government full power to prevent any improper trafficking in native lands. The Government policy to the natives generally would be to cultivate the most friendly relations, and in doing this the Government had the advantage of a Native Minister born in the Colony and brought up amongst the na'ives. He denied any hostility to Wellington. As to the seat of Government, if any man was entitled to represent Wellington iuterest it was "•himself, as he hail been (••mnerlrd with it

from its foundation almost. He was a firm friend V.r Wellington, and even if ultimately no Wellington man found a seat on the Government benches its interests were quite safe, iff: was unable to give any pledge regard in g the Lhuu Fund, but the .Government would fully, carefully, and calmly consider the ivh•■!•:: question'in order Id come t:; a conclusion satisfactory to the Colony,' and just to ail parties. The Government-desired t<' bring the session to a eiose as soon as possible, and ihey would take up the Laud Hill, Mines Bill, Slaughter Houses Bill, Volunteers' Land Bill, Stuck Bill, and others. The Land Drainage Bill, Fencing Bill, Charitable Institutions Bill, Harbors Bill and Settlement of "Works Bill, would be dropped. Every facility would be given to private members to push on their Bills consistent with, ending the session in three or four weeks. Tii-« Government intended giving a great deal ol attention to ihe G-oldfields, and would take the sense of the House on making a separate Department of Mines, under a responsible Miuiater. They proposed as early as possible to place the representation of Counties on a more satisfactory basis. He would not attempt to go beyond the popular will of the country on any matter, or impose his own views on an unwilling country. Wherever a mass of (he population desirpd certain things to be done they would carry them out if they approved of them, and if they could not conscientiously give effect to those demands they would retire and allow others to carry them out. They did not this session propose to bring forward any great measures, but would during the recess give attention to tiie best means of dealing with the great questions which required attention, and it would be for the House next session to pronounce an opinion on those measures, and say whether the Ministry should be entrusted with the task of giving effect to the will of that august Assembly. The Government would take the House and the country into its fullest confidence. No information as to its finances or other matters would be withheld, and he appealed to the House for fair and reasonable consideration.