HOUSE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 241, 22 October 1879, Page 2

HOUSE.

Wellington, Tuesday. The petitions regarding the election of Sir G. Grey, Dr Wallis, and Mr Hurst will be heard to-morrow at eleven. Mr Oliver said he intended to take steps towards a new survey of the east and west coast railway of the Middle Island. Sir G. Grey introduced a Bill providing for grants for Working Men's Clubs, which was read the first time. On the adjourned debate on the Government Electoral Bill coming on, Mr Hall explained that they had exhausted every source of conciliation between themselves and the Opposition. They would not allow any other party to pass their Bills but themselves, and would not proceed with any business till those Bills were passed. Tbe question was about to be put, when Mr Hall proceeded to reply to some remarks when the debate was last on. He deprecated the charges of a personal nature made against Ministers by the member for the Thames (Mr Sheehan), also of the way in which his Excellency had been referred to by the 9ame member. Mr Hall replied to many of the charges made against his Ministry, contending that his was the true Liberal united party, while the others were composed of Greyites and those whom he called dependent Liberals. He deuied that there was any Canterbury land ring, and argued that the land laws of Canterbury promoted settlement, while Sir G. Grey's regulations led to the acquisition of immense estates. If the Government went out they would have a majority, and certainly a majority of the country. (Cries of " Try it.") They were not afraid to try it. (Cheers from the Go vc-nment supporters.) Their measures were Liberal and practical, and the country wanted them, and he asked them to lose no time in passing them. The previous Government had only dangled them before the people. Sir G. Grey defended bis land regulations, saying that he was a benefactor to New Zealand in introducing those laws. He went on to refer to the unprecedented way in which tbe supplies bad been stepped, and said they had a right to say that no business should go on till supplies were provided. Ministers should come down and ask for them at once, and let a vote be taken. He contended that the Ministry were the representatives of the landed aristocracy in the colony, and of large land claims/and it was the duty of bis side of the House to say that no business » should be gone on with until supplies were granted. Ministers should copy the example he had set them, and withdraw when they became an obstacle to the progress of business. The 5 - 30 adjournment then took place. Wednesday. On the House resuming at 7.30 p.m. a long discussion ensued regarding the memorandum from the Governor. Sir G. Grey moved that the memorandum be laid on the table and printed. Mr De Lautour moved an amendment to Sir George Grey's motion to the effect that introducing the memorandum was a breach of privilege on the part of the Premier. After a long discussion Sir George Grey withdrew the motion on the understanding that the memo be printed in the morning papers, and Mr De Lautour withdrew bis amendment. Mr Tomoana then expressed his dissatisfaction with the Native policy of Messrs Hall and Bryce, and said they must find some other Maori to sit in his place. He then went to his old seat with the Maori members. On the debate on the second reading of the Triennial Parliament Bill coming on, Mr Macandrew without comment moved the previous question. The Premier disapproved of the action of the Opposition, and in supporting the second reading he mentioned some amendments that had been made. MrKeader Wood said that none of the Opposition would vote against the Bill, but pointed out that supply bad not been granted because the message had not been presented, and they should let that fact go forth to the world. Major Atkinson denied that it was a fact. He attacked the policy of the Opposition and ridiculed the unfulfilled promises of the previous Government. The Opposition had been guilty of bad generalship, and the Government determined that the country should not be played with any longer. The Opposition, for mere party purposes and in order to retrieve their bad generalship, intended to refuse supplies. If they took the responsibility, let it rest with them : they, the Ministry, were prepared to take the opinion of the country. Ministers would hold on, and it might be necessary together constituencies on the question. (Cheers from both sides of the House.) He was glad to find both sides agree. He denied that he had ever been a party to refuse supplies. He persons suffer for their own mistakes, claimed that the Government had done all in their power to show their sincerity in wishing to pass the Bills of Reform, of which this was one. Mr Sheehan criticised the speech of Major Atkinson, and twitted the Ministry with being the only examples of a Government occupying the Benches in the full knowledge that they did not possess the confidence of tbe House, and who were afraid to go to a vote. Referring to the alleged opposition of the Council, be showed that they could deal with that body, and in euch a case they were prepared to give supplies when asked. He ridiculed tbe bogy of dissolution set up Dy the Government, and called on them to have a fair fight. He retorted on the Ministry that they alone were retarding tbe business of the House, for they could not carry a single measure, and had merely to sit there and wait for a dissolution. They were a minority not possessing the confidence of the House. If they would take a vote and settle that question the business of the couutry would go on without difficulty. Mr McLean followed, designating the previous speaker as the most incompetent Minister who ever ruled in New Zealand, while the present Ministry were the most competent that ever sat on the Ministerial benches, as well as being an honest crowd. Mr Oliver moved the adjournment, which was lost by 37 to 31. Another debate ensued, and the House rose at 1.30 a.m.

[URGENT ] 4.4 p.m. At the request of the Premier the Governmeut Bills have been postponed, he promising to announce to-morrow the course the Government intend to pursue regarding the noconfidence motion.