PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 418, 30 August 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

(15 Y TKLKCiKAPH.) <>— Wellington, August 30. In the flouse of Representatives yesterday, Major Atkinson staled that L 500,000 debentures had been given to the Bank of New South Wales. Mr. M'Lean introduced the Harbour and Navigation Bills. Mr. Sheehan moved, " That the House go into Committee to consider the petition of George Elliott Barton, examine the truth of its statement., and decide on the same." Mr. Whitaker thought Mr. Barton was justified in bringing his alleged grievance before the House, and before the public, but nothing had liet'ii shown to render further inquiry necessary. Mr. Gisborne thought any petition respectfully worded should be received. Mr. Macaudrew agreed with the last speaker. Ml-. Thomson supported the appointment of a Committee.

Mr. Travel's said there was no ground to take action in the matter.

Mr. Murray objected to stilling an inquiry. Mr. Sheehan thought the charges deliianded investigat i< >ll. Mr. Button thought that if everything alleged by the petition was proved there was nothing for the Judges to answer. Mr. Kees thought the petitioner should be heard.

Mr. Harper could see no reason for the interference of the House.

Mr. Stout would vote for a Select Committee to take evidence as to whether the charge would be sustained. Mr. Hollos tun thought a case for inquiry was established. Mr. Shcehan's motion having negatived, Mr. Whitaker's motion became a substantive motion.

3lr. Thomson moved an amendment., " That a Select Committee be appointed to take evidence on the question, and report whether it considered the evidence would justify the House in removing the •Judges." Tlie amendment was lost by 37 to 2'.).

The House then adjourned. On the House resuming, the debate on Mr. Barton's petition was adjourned, and

Mr. Fox moved the Local Option Bill into Committee. In doing so, he spoke for an hour and a quarter. During the debate, he accused Dr. AYallis of having broken his election pledges in coming forward, like the high priest, of Bacchus, in defence of the publicans. Dr. Wallis explained that he had broken no pledges. Mr. Fox continued, defend'ng the principle of the Bill, and denying the statistics regarding drunkenness increasing or decreasing, wuile tae fact remained that we were drinking too much. He totally denied the existence of any claim to compensation, and would rather lose the Bill than admit it. A remedy, and not merely paliative measures, was demanded by the urgency of the evil. No regulations for the conduct of the seller would be efficacious. No punishment could be inflicted oil the drunkard greater than that which follows this vice. As to any understanding about the right to renewal of licenses, there could be none. Licenses were only annual; and by Sunday trading, adulteration, and other breaches of the law, publicans forfeited all claim to consideration. Instead of being too strongly spoken of, they had been too lightly let oil. After giving a sketch of the fearful state in which he found hotels in Hawke's Buy, he said- the Local Option principle liail been accepted seven years ago, but the claim to compensation was quite new. He would resist to the last the taking of working men's money to bribe the liquor dealers to remove their blood-stained hands from people's throats. He had drafted new clauses to meet the objections regarding the boundaries of licensing districts.

Mr. Rees condemned Mr. Fox's telegram to Auckland about Dr. Wallis, and also the abuse heaped on publicans, and said a good cause suffered thereby. He would support the abolishing of all bar traffic, without compensation, and also the making License Commissioners elective. Mr. Gisborne said if licenses were abolished on the ground of public policy, compensation would undoubtedly be due. Dr. Wallis condemned Mr. Fox's intemperate language, and defended him-

self. He said that fairness and justice "necessitated compensation. ] Messrs. Ballance and Joyce replied mainly to the remarks made by Mr. Fox regarding"their former speeches. Mr. Swanson complained of Mr. Fox arrogating all the credit to himself, while he (Mr. Swanson), in the Auckland Provincial Council, had far better Bill long before Mr. Fox took the subj.ct np. He felt humiliated at the manner m which Mr. Fox talked of publicans, and referred to many he knew in j-vuokland of the highest character. It was a disgiace and shame to have the whole class diagged through the mire. ere politicians so pure as he justified in abusing the publicans I There was a want of thoroughness about the Bill, which would leave Bellamy's and Clubs alone. Compensation would be due in some, but not many, cases. He was willing to do anything fair to reduce intemperance, but disapproved of Mr. Fox's tone and method. The Bill then went, into Committee, and progress reporicd on clause 2. After a long discussion the word 20 was altered to 50 in the clause, and a variety of other amendments proposed. The House adjourned at 12.30 o'clock.