HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 260, 2 November 1877, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Thursday. The House met at 2*30 this afternoon. Mi- Pyke resumed the no confidence debate. The present was a contest of might against right, and the Opposition would find that the country did not sympathise with them. A dissolution he regarded as inevitable. He was prepared to accept an arrangement about the land fund, by which a certain portion should be appropriated for local public works, and the rest go into a common purse. The administration of the present Ministry was far better than that of the late Ministry. Mr Hislop condemned the silence of the Opposition side. They had shown no reason for their action. At present Separation was only an abstract question, but such conduct as that of Mr Gisborne was calculated to make it a practical one. Mr Stout rose, not to speak to the motion, but to raise a question of privilege of urgent character. He referred to the last paragraph in the Governor's memo about about calling Mr Wilson to the Legislative Council, in which the motion pending in the House was alleged by the Governor as a reason tor refusing the advice of Ministers. He contended that this was a breach of the privileges of the House, as the Crown was not supposed to know anything which took place in Parliament till constitutionally and properly communicated. If, because of the motion pending in the House, the Governor could refuse Ministers' advice, clearly no responsible Ministry existed, and the Governor was virtually dictator. He cited authorities to show this. He moved —That the reason assigned by the Governor for refusing Ministers' advice was not in accordance with the privileges of Parliament. Mr Rolleston, without expressing any \ opinion on the question at issue, thought the Honse should not discuss it till the Crown was properly represented in the House. Mr Uarfl. insisted that the question was a most important one, as affecting the relations of the colony to the Crown, and should be discussed immediately. Mr Travers said the question should be discussed irrespective of party. On the face it seemed that the privileges of Parliament had been invaded, but time was required to ook up authorities. No doubt the Crown had no right to know what was going on in the House until officially informed. j

Mr Gisborne agreed with Mr Travers, but thought au address to the Governor expressing regret at the course pursued, would probably be better than Mr Stout's motion. He moved that the House adjourn till tomorrow to consider the matter. The adjournment was agreed to, and the House rose at 5 o'clcck.