PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 239, 9 October 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, Oct. 8. The House met at 2.30 this afternoon. Mr. Cox, as a matter of personal explanation, denied certain portions of Mr. Russell's printed statement regarding Sir George Grey's connection Avith fche Taupo laud transactions. The Public Health Act Amendment Bill was introduced by Mayor Atkinson. Mr. Larnach gave notice that to-morrow lie would move, " That the Government does nofc possess the confidence of the House"; but, at Major Atkinson's request, he moved this at once. He said ifc Avas a direct blow from the shoulder, and was administered from a conviction that the Ministery was utterly incompetent to conduct tlje business of the couutry. The Government was uuablc to carry the Education Rill Avithout the assistance of the Opposition. He condemned tlie system of finance as jvifchout finality and a mere sham, their only expedient to supply the deficiency in the revenue being to plunder the otago and Canterbury land fund. He blamed the Government for their inaction in the completion of the railways, and for the sale of the Luna below her value. He knew [ people who were Avilling to give a larger sum I for her. He condemned the coal contract

with Mr. Kennedy, and the inaction of the Government in developing the coal-fields while spending money on harbor works at Taranaki and Hawkes Bay. The Government had disorganised the police force by reducing the men's pay and increasing thafc of the officers. The general administration was alienated confidence. Mr. M'Lean thought as the Opposition through jealousy could only put weak members forward, he, as the weakest member of the Miuistry, might reply. Governnent did not wish to prolong the debate, aud hoped tho present trial of strength would settle the matter, and the Opposition, when beaten, would allow the business of the country to proceed.. He defended the Ministerial conduct of business, saying that it was the nature uot the number of Bills passed, which should be taken into consideration. The District Railways and Education Bills were most important ones,a'nd had been passed, he admitted, with the assistance of the Opposition, but not |by a block rote. In the face of great difficulties Government had endeavored to bring the finances of the colony into a position where anyone could understand them. Next year they would be able to propose a policy which would satisfy the house and country. They had administered public works without favoritism, and had not undertaken works' without money to pay for them. Government had brought down a liberal land law to the House, and Mr. Larnarch's opposition is due to this. The highest possible valus had been obtained for the Luna. The Government had, in the coal contract, simply accepted the lowest tender sent in response to advertisement. They knew nothing of Mr. • Kennedy in the matter. Large sums had been spent in the north of Auckland, Greymouth and Westport, in tapping coal-fields by means of railways. Mr. Lusk strongly condemned the general and financial policy of the Government, saying they possessed the confidence of neither House nor country. The debate was interrupted by 5.30. Tuesday. The House met at 7.30. Mr Lusk continued the debate, briefly recapitulating his previous argument in favor of the motion. Mr Sharp said he felfc bound to say a few words. He had always been opposed to provincialism, and was in favor of an united colony with a common purse and uniform laws. Ho supported the Ministry while they advocated this, but now they were deviating he could not support them any longer. The Government had abandoned whatever policy they had even at the commencement of the session when the Native Lauds Bill and Amended Counties Bill were the most prominent features in the Governor's speech. Their only policy now was political rest. They said we cannot give you a policy now but if you'll wait patiently we wiil do so next year. Mr Sharp urged Southern members to agree to some compromise ou the land fund question as the only means of maintaining a really united colony. The financing on Treasury Bills must also cease. It wa3 unpleasant to sever old ties, but ha felt bound to put aside all personal feeliug, aud when he found Ministers acting wrongly I he could no longer support them. Mr Woolcock thought the Government had too much rather than too little policy, he agreed with Mr Sharp that any re-arrange-ment of the colonial finance must be on the basis of making the land fund colonial. He thought the county system had on. the whole worked well. The present Ministry had their done best, and if nofc perfect, certainly a change was not desirable afc present. They had promised to revise the Incidence of Taxation next year, and he saw no reason to withdraw his support from them. The House divided on Mr. Larnach's no- I confidence motion, with the following result, < viz: — Ates, 42— Messrs Baigent, Ballancej Barff, Bastings, Brandon, J. C. Brown, J". E. Brown, Bunny, Curtis, Delatour, Dignan, Douglas, Fisher, Gisborne, Grey, Hamlin, Hodgkinson, Hislop, Joyce, Lanarch, Lusk, Macandrew, Montgomery, Murray, Nahe, O'Rorke, Pyke, Rees, Rolleston, Seaton, Sharp, Sheehan, Shrimski, Stout, Swanson, Takamoaua, Thomson, Tole, Trarers, Wakefield, Wallace, aud W. Wood, Noes, 38— Messrs. Atkinson, Beethan, Bowen, Burns, Button, Carrington, Fitzroy, Fox, Gibbs, Harper, Henry, Hunter, Hursthouse, Kenny, Kelly, Kennedy, Lumsden, Maunders, M'Lean, Moorhouse, Morris, | Murray-Aynsley, Orraond, Reid, Reynolds, ' Richardson, Richmond, Rowe, Russell, Seymour, Stephens, Sutton, Tawiti, Teschmaker, Wason, Whitaker, Williams, and Woolcock, Pairs: Ayes— Messrs. Reader Wood ahd Tairoa. Nops— Messrs. Cox ahd Stafford. Sir R Douglas bad paired " no," with Mr. Bryce " Aye," but got locked in, apd accordingly voted •' aye," and explained why be did so Mr. Johnston did not vote The House adjourned until 1 30 p.m. tomorrow. On the Legislative Council meeting to-day, Dr Pollen announced that in consequence of fche vote in the House of Representatives Ministers had sent in their resignations, and advised the Governor to send for Mr Larnach; also that they would ( only hold office until theic successors were appointed.