PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1091, 17 October 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Welli.ygto.v, October IG. In the House of Representatives today, Sir G. Grey gave notice that he would ask leave to introduce a Bill authorising the Government to provide sites for Working Men's Clubs. Colonel Trimble put the following questions ;—ls Mr. Joshua Jones, of New Plymouth or Mokau, an agent of the Government ; and, if so, what are, or wero, his duties ? Have any payments been made to Mr. Jones ; and, if so, what are the respective amounts, and for what special service done ? Had Mr. Jones the free use of the telegraph wires ; and, if so, 011 what pretext. The Premier replied that lie was to some extent recognised as an agent of the Government-. I»e was- noV, in the strict sonso of the word, a recognised official. At various times sums amounting in all to L:) 00 had been paid to him for services rendered. There was 110 c- i-respondence to show the exact nature of the services he had rendered. Instructions were also given that he was to be allowed to frank telegrams free of charge addressed to Ministers.

Tn reply to Colonel Trimble, Mr. Bryce said that the Goyernment held a mortgage of LBG4 over the steamer Hannah Mokau. A subsidy of L3OO per annum was promised so long as the steamer's services were properly rendered. The subsidy for the last eight months had been withheld, in consequence of these services not having been properly rendt-red. The circumstances under which the interest was obtained by the Government were these— The vessel was seized by the parties to whom it was mortgaged (several natives), and it was thought advisable, for political purposes, that the vessel should be released. The Goyernment had received 110 dividends or interest on the mortgage. liewi and Te Weterc had each LIOO for their shares. Replying to Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Oliver said he would lay before the House a return showing the whole of the polonial public works under his departr ment at' present, contracted for within each Provincial District, the name of the contractor, and date of contract in each case, tho time for completion, amount of tenders, and progress payments to date ; also the number and date of appropriation by Parliament, or other authority by virtuQ.of which such contract or engagement had been entered into. Replying to Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Hall said the Government proposed to remit to Sir John Coode a petition from the inhabitants of Port Chalmers and surfounding districts, praying for an inquiry into the present condition of the Otago harbor, and when he could ma(-:e a further inspection of the harbor. I Replying to Mr. Wright, Mr. Rolleston I said a sum of money would be placed on the Estimates for building a courthouse at Ashburton. Mr, Sutton asked (1) What amount had been paid sipce Ist Jul}' last to Messrs. Guthrie and Larnach for the supply of railway iron and railway rolling stock, and what amount is still owing' on the same account ? (2) Whether the arrangement was a private one, or was it open to public competition ; and whether they will lay before the House all correspondence between the Government, the .Agent-General, or any oilier officer, and Messrs. Guthrie and Larnach, in reference to the supply by that company of railway material. Mr. Oliver replied : (1) L12,44517s 6d. (2) By public tenders duly advertised; and (3) the Government had no objection to do as requested. Mr, Beethain drew the attention of the House, as a question of privilege, to the allegations contained in the petition of Hirina Rawiri Taiwhanga regarding the alleged disqualification of Mohi Tawhai, and then moved the appointment of a

Select Committee, such Committee to consist of Sir George Grey, Messrs. Brandon, de Lautour, Hislop, Murray, Ormond, Rolleston, and the mover ; five to form a quorum, and to report within a week. Mr. Sheehan denounced the proposal, and said that he would oppose it unless the proposed Committee was reorganised, so as to contain the names of more gentlemen on his side of the House. Mr. Wakefield was astonished to learn that it was to be made a party question. It was the duty of the House to remove anj- disqualification which might exist against any one of its members. It was most unfair to such member himself. He was liable to a serious penalty for every day he sat in the House with such a disqualification hanging over his head. Mr. Hislop moved as an amendment, " That the names of Messrs. Stewart, Tole, Swanson. and Pitt be added to the Committ^,]-;-Mr. Tan.,thought it was the place of the Returning Officer to have informed the candidate of his disqualification. The Maoris were not yet acquainted with the laws affecting elections. Had the lawbeen translated in the first instance, the mistake would not have occurred. Mr. Hall expressed regret that a party spirit had been imported into the proceedings. He thought, however, that the House, in dealing with the question, was quite capable of rising superior to party spirit. Mr. Dick spoke in similar terms. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment-. The House re-assembled at 7.30. Major Atkinson proposed to move the suspension of the Standing Orders so as to enable him to go into Committee of Supply. It was necessary for the carrying on of the public business that the Supply Bill should be passed, and he hoped no obstacle would be thrown in his way. If he got an assurance to that effect, ho would move that the House go at once into Committee of Supply. Mr. Macandrew said that unless the Government consented to the no-confi-dence motion coming on to-morrow, he would, so soon as the Speaker was moved out of the chair, state a grievance. After a few more remarks, he said it was evident enough that the Government was unable to control the House and go on with the business. In that case, he moved the adjournment of the House. Major Atkinson said he could assure the other side that no amount of obstruction would force them to go on with the no-confidence motion a moment earlier than they had already stated, Mr. Montgomery said that they did not refuse to grant supplies. What Mr. Macandrew was this, that the grievance, and the proposal to ventilate that grievance, should be acceded to before supplies were granted. So soon as that grievance was ventilated, supplies would be granted. Mr. M'Lean said that the proposal was an absurd one, they all knew whai; grievance it meant —the no-confidence motion—and that would perhaps three weeks to debate., Mr. Bowen said the attitude of the Opposition was this, if its will was not to be allowed to rule supreme then they would refuse to provide supplies urgently demanded. Mr. Downie Stewart in favor of the position taken up by the Opposition, and quoted ft number of constitutional authorities. Mr. Dick suggested that some compromise should be arrived at, so that the outside public might not suffer while they were engaged with mere party disputes. Mr. Pyke said lie wished to the vote he gave on tl,a want of confidence motion, and reconcile it with the vote he intended giving on this vote of want of confidence, On tlio previous occasion ho gave it with a view of getting the Government then constituted reconstructed, and he still held that that was the course which ought to have been followed. Mr. Speight argued that the Opposition had no right to lay hold of that trifling fact to prevent supplies being granted. Mr. Saunders .said that after the Financial Statement was delivered the othor night, it was little short of blasphemy to stand up and talk about liberal measures when the finances of the country were in suoli a deplorable state. Mr. Moss said the previous speaker had said enough to convince him that if those gentlemen were left on the benches, the Liberal measures wculd be neglected on the plea that it was necessary that they should direct their attention to tha financial situation of the country. The question of adjournment was then put and carried on the voices, and at IQ.4G the House rose.