HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 292, 10 December 1877, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Saturday. The House met afc 2.30 this afternoon. Ou going into Committee on the Appropriation Bill Sir George Grey reviewed the events of fche session, and indicated generally the policy of the future. The Government would do their utmost to deserve the generous confidence the House had reposed in thera, and would exercise fche utmost economy next year, and hoped to be able to bring down measures which would create real public opinion and establish two district parties. These would iuclude liberal land laws and equitable readjustment of representation. Major Atkinson criticised the conduct of the Ministry since they took offlce, and dec'ared they had created an uuproved deficit of £347,000, and yet they called this putting the finance on a fiirm and satisfactory footing. He accused them of taking up in erery way the policy of the late Government except finance. He ridiculed the proposals of their future policy, and advised Sir George Grey to attend more to practical matters, and leave the whole human race and posterity alone. Sir George Grey replied at considerable length, saying he relied ou the sympathy and support of the people of thc colony to carry large aud liberal measures of reform despite the opposition of the wealthy class led by Major Atkinson. The Uill then passed through all its stages. The Disqualification Bill was shelved. The House rose afc 4.30 and met again at eight. Sunday* The House sat intermittently up to 9.20 last night, waiting for the Appropriation Bill and aud Public Works Appropriation Bill to corne back from the Council, this they did with a message poiutiug out that certain clauses in thc latter were iu the way of an attachment of a Supply Bid, jmd therefore a violation of the Council's privileges, but believing the error inadvertent, they had passed the Bills. The House theu adjourned till 2.15 p.m on Monday for prorogation.