HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 255, 27 October 1877, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Saturday. MrEeynolds, after Major Atkinson had spoken, said that he did not think the House would be justified in passing sucb a resolution without giving the Ministry a fair trial, and hearing their policy. The public would not support them in such a course, a3 they could not judge of the men till they had heard their measures. He moved an amendment that uutil the Government have declared their policy the House declines to entertain the question of confidence or no confidence. Mr Wanders supported the original motion, believing it would place in power a reconstructed Ministry worthy of confidence. Sir G Grey having spoken, Mr Gisborne explained why he felt obliged to vote for the motion after so lately having voted on the other side. He opposed the late Government on account of their improvident and shifty finance, and unsatisfactory adurinis? tratiou, and hoped by joining the middle party to place in a moderate Government under a moderate and experienced leader, but the middle party were deceived. The last thing they wished was to put Sir G. Grey in power, While declining to accept Sir G. Grey as a leader be said he would not vote against him unless his measures and policy proved repuguant to his principles. There was the all-iniuorlant question of the unity of the colony, aud Sir G. Grey hal surrounded himself with a Ministry who last year pledged themselves individually to financial separation and federation, and he could not believe them to be so insincere as to change by being on the Government benches. Indirectly or directly they would work in that direction, and he could not therefore support them. ( Mr Montgomery, at considerable length, reviewed the past conduct of the Atkinson Ministry to show that they did not deserve restoration to office. Since 1875 they had iucreased the public debt by £6,682,000, and had seriously injured the public credit. If the present Government were turned out without au opportunity of declaring their policy they would not turn the other cheek, and their successors would not have a pleasant time of it. Such an attempt as the present was contrary to constitutional usage. Dr. Wallis strougly condemned the motion t as unfair, aud, at length, reviewed the policy

of the Atkinson Ministry. He believed the country rejoiced over such a radical change of administration. He hoped the present men would retain office till the finances were i placed in a better condition, our shattered constitution restored, and real local government established. They should also be left free to fully investigate the conduct of their predecessors. No greater public misfortune could occur than the return of the late Ministry to power, however disguised or reconstructed it might be Although a separationist, he was content now t« accept the Ministry of the colony with a common purse and the Land Fund colonial revenue. Mr Delatour strongly condemned the conduct of those members who a fortnight ago assisted to turn the Atkinson Ministry out, angnow wanted to put him back, thuacrownog their infamy by seekingoffice under him. He thought the proceedings of the late Ministry required investigation, and condemned the present motion as indecent and unconstitutional. He urged an agreemeut between North and South on the Land Fund question on the basis of a fixed proportion being localised. Mr Shrimski moved the adjournment of the debate till Monday, and the House rose at 12 25 a.m.