PARLILIENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 192, 14 August 1874, Page 2

PARLILIENTARY.

0 W^mington, August 13. .. IJpon coamittal of ihe Immigration and'PubliefWorks Bill last night a great deal of .discussion took place on .*. the sixth clause, as to the amount of short dated debentures to be issued out V ,: ! of the four millions. -: -. _ Messrs Filzherbart, T. B. Gillies, acd Reeves insisted that on tbe previous 7 eveniog the Premier had given a pledge „ that he would accept the wish cf the Y. House, and not ask for authority to* -issue more than one million under short dated debentures. Mr Johnston also opposed, and all insinuated tbat the clause placed too much discretionary power in the hands of the Treasurer, and that the Stock .',_' Exchange would become alarmed as _ : they had already shown symptoms of being. '-The Premier denied that there was any cause lor alarm. The Bill was the .;: .same as that of fast year. In all probability he would not require to raise tbe money on short dated debentures, bnt it wonld be better for tbe Colony to entrust tbem with discretionary '■ power. In replying to Mr Rolleston, the Premier said that Mr Julian had been paid a small commission of £1000 for negotiating £120,000, but tbat Dr Feathers too and Mr Sergeant got ' ; nothing for their services in that direction. Messrs Cuthbertson and Reader Wood defended the course adopted by the Premier who had no objection to bow to the wishes of the House, but declined to allow the Government to -be dictated to by a few members who bad latter passed into opposition. Sir Cracroft Wilson defended the honor of the House and said tbat ho *'- -failed to recollect that the Premier had given any pledge. The clause was passed, and tbe Bill r : was soon after reported without amendments. The House then adjourned. The Premier moved the abolition re^ \ solutions this afternoon in a very dose speech, in which be stated in detail tbe enormous amount tbe North Island provinces drew in one way or another ' from tbe colonial chest in consequence of their not being able to carry on properly the ordinary functions of local Government, and being utterly unable to construct tbe large works tbat were imperatively demanded in some way/ as was done by Canterbury and Otago. 'i\- He denied having tbe remotest design npon the lands of the Middle Island. Any change effected must be in strict accordance with the compact of 1856. _ The Forest Bill debate, having turned .£,y. toe serious attention of the Government :-■'■"■ to the question, they fouod that the /I'll prosperity of the North Island and of" 'the -whole colony demanded a change. 11a indicated that oae Superintendent

would have a provision made for him in consequence of his life-long service. The speech met with loud applause. At its conclusion, Mr O'Rorke said he would never have joined the Ministry had he thought that the Premier had in his capacious armory a dagger to slab Auckland to the heart. The Premier had entered upon a journey of which no man could see tho end. He denounced the resolutions, which, if he had countenanced them, would have entitled him to be called a traitor and apostate from his life-long convictions. Loud opposition cheers followed bis speech. Tbe Premier said tbat Mr O'Rorke bad never before given the slightest intimation »o himself or his colleagues of his views on the subject. He regretted losing his assistance, but they could survive his loss. The debate was then adjourned. The Premier made a statement that advices from London stated that Mr Forbes in London had proved quite unable to carry out his contract, and it was doubfrul if Mr Hall could do so. Arrangements were endeavored to be made with ship builders for building the new steamers. The Select Committee of the Legislative Council on the Civil Service Act Amendment Bill have reported as follows: — That, inasmuch as the existing law relating to the Civil Service was the result of a labored investigation by a Commission, it is not desirable to alter the law without a similar investigation, and that a Commission be appointed during the recess to enquire into and report upon the working of the Civil Service Acts. Dr. Pollen has given notice that he intends td ' move the adoption of the report. August 14. Upon tbe House resuming laßt night, tbe Premier announced that Mr O'Rorke had sent in his resignation to his Excellency, which bad been accepted. In the course of some remarks upon the Manawaiu-Rangitikei award, the Premier informed tbe House that the Government did not agree with the vitw of the Speaker as expressed in his report. [fROSI A CORRESPONDENT.] .. .... Wellington, August 14. The Industries Committee in their report recommend unanimously that assistance be given to the Para Para Iron Company to establish the manufacture of iron, or else the Government •^tTfefeß the matter up on behalf of the colony.