PARLIAMENTARY.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 7, 10 November 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. - Wellington, Wednesday. .The Acting-Speakhb took the chair at half -past two o'clock. COUNTIES: ACT. } MFitzroy asked the_ Government if it was their intention to bring down an Act this session to amend the Counties Act ? The Hon. Mr Sheehan said that ' there was a Bill m print drawn up by the late Government, but the ' present Ministry were not prepared to go on - with it. However, . it was their intention to bring m a Bill toamend the technical defects m the Coußlfes\Act, 1876. IMMIGBATION AND PUBLIC WOBKB BILL. On the motion of the Hon. Mr Labnach leave was' given' to introduce a BUI to authorise the borrowing and raising of money for immigration and construction of public works. In answer to Major Atkinson, the ■ Hon. Mr Labnach said he would make a statement on the Bill on Tuesday next. The Bill' was then read a first time, and the second reading fixed for Tuesday. PERSONAL EXPLANATION. ■ * The Hon. Mr Gisborne rose to make a personal explanation m reference to his" name not appearing m the division-list or among the pairs on the no-confidence motion. He had intended to vote for the motion of the hon. momber for Egrmont, and had given his written Sir to the hon. member for Tuapeka. c was not aware of the reason why ihat pair had not been acted upon. Major Atkinson made a remark which was not audible m the gallery, and Mr Stout rose, but the Speaker' said the House could take no cognisance gf pairs, and the sulject could not -be discussed. The matter dropped. MINISTEBIAL STATEMENT. The Hon. Mr Sheehan said the Government apprehended that the time had now arrived when party fighting was at an end, as members on both sides of the House were:* desirous of proceeding to their homes.' The Government had arranged that that day and the following should be devoted to private business. Friday was a public holiday, and the House would not sit on that day. However, on that day and Saturday the Government would prepare m Cabinet the measures the; intended to go on with, and they hoped to finish, the Government businesj by the end of next week. By thil course members would be enabled t« pjroceed to their homes by Monday oi Tuesday the following week.

HO-CONWDENCB MOTION. Major Atkinson gave notice that he would mote no the following day that the House has now no confidence m the pTesent.Groyernment. ..-.. The Hon. Mr Sheehan stated the whole tiling was farce, The Government would go on with the usual order of business, and would throw' the whole responsibility, of obstructing the public bnsiness on the Opposition. PETITION OF I>B. BITLLEB; The Hon. Mr Fox moved that the report of the Public Petitions Committee on the petition of Dr. Buller be referred back to the committee, with instructions to take such further evidence as Dr. Buller may offer, and consider their late report.— The motion was carried on a division by 23 to 20. [. Hjpuseimiet at 2.3a [Friday. Lusk made a long personal explanation, ingfeference to breach o^ privilege, for which he had been fined m his absence. He complained of having been unfairly treated, and defended his conduct to show he was not guilty of the alleged offence. He read a letter from Tonks to confirm his statement. • New Bill introduced-— Marine Act Amendment Bill. ; : The Speaker said he thought that it was competent for Major Atkinson, having given notice to move that all Orders of the Day be postponed, to brmgjon his "np confidence ' motion. St^|M|j|gaed that this was contrary to StanmngOrders and precedent. Long discussion ensued on point of order, and is still proceeding. On House resuming last night, Atkinson moved the postponement of Orders of the Day, so that his "no confidence." motion could be discussed ; but this was postponed, and the question of privilege between Governor and Ministry gone on with, and the correspondence relating to the matter/having been read at length, a discussion arose and kept up till 2.25, the Government supporters taxing the Opposition with indecent haste m trying to! get, back to office. It was decided that House, on rising, should adjourn till Monday.