NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

Patea Mail, Volume 1, Issue 32, 31 July 1875, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAM. WELLINGTON. July 28. Donald McLean asked for leave of absence for Vogel for the remainder of the session. Sheehan intimated that the Government ought to have accorded the house a little more information about the matter, and raised grave doubts as to the legality of Vogel’s present position as Postmaster General. The Ministerial statement by Atkinson wn to the effect that they had no sort of d >ubt whatever as to his or their legal position. Fi.zherbort followed in the same strain as Sheehan, and said it was strange Vogel was well enough to settle important negotiations at Home and carry on acrimonious correspondence', but too ill to come out here. Stafford referred to 1808, when Fitzherbert was Colonial Treasurer at Home, when the rest of the Ministry were sworn in by Sir George Bowen, and also referred to the Royal Commission, and opinion of the Now Zealand Attorney General, and high legal opinion at Home on a former analagous case, to show that there was very little doubt as to the constitutional position of the Ministry and Vogel. Sir George Grey maintained that neither the Ministry nor Sir Julius Vogel occupied a constitutional position in relation to the people of the country. Warm discussion ensued, during which Reader Wood declared he was convinced from what he had learnt that the Ministry W ;re controlled by Stafford, and that his influence alone appointed two of them. This was denied by Donald McLean in a most positive manner ; and on the (juestion being again put, leave of absence was granted without a dissenting voice.

■July 29,

A resolution that the House go into committee of the whole to consider the subject of supply being granted to Her Majesty, was ordered to be considered tomorrow.

Wood asked if the Government had an authoritative opinion as to the powers of the Legislature to abolish provinces; said grave doubts existed. Mr Gillies had first directed his (Wood's) attention to the fact, as ho (Gillies) thought the Legislature did not possess the power, Wood said the Constitution Act by the the third section says :—There must be Superintendents and Provincial Councils, and no power had subsequentlybeen given to the Assembly to upset the clause. The Speaker ruled that Wood was introducing debateable questions, which was not allowed when asking questions. The Native Minister said the Government had no doubt whatever that the Assembly had full power to abolish provinces. They had taken the opinion of the present Chief Justice and had laid the said opinion on the table. An amendment suggested that, while the Attorney-General thought the Assembly had power, he thought it desirable that the law officers in England should be taken in order to Set at restall doubts. , Sir George Grey asked for that opinion to be produced, Fitzherbert moved that it be printed in parallel columns with Judge’s opinion referred to by Sir George Grey, namely, that the only power possessed by the Legislature was that of altering boundaries of provinces. The Native Minister promised to lay the opinion on the table. In reply to Murray the Native Minister said the Government had not taken any steps to obtain an opinion of the Imperial law officers on the matter. In reply Rolleston, Atkinson said there was no more correspondence relating to the four million loan, and consequently he could not lay it on the table. But he Would bo happy to lay on the table the despatch asked for, namely, that from the Duke of Newcastle, dated 31st December, 1873, having reference to Crown agents. He would also ask that to be printed. , Stafford presented a petition from Timarn in favour of abolishing provinces. Replying to Geo. McLean, the Government said they sometimes used cypher for their cablegrams but not always. They sometimes fourfd it (inadvisable, and were generally guided by circumstances. Atkinson/ replying to Geo. McLean, said there was no arrangement as to price the Rank paid for Government drafts on Lonregarding four million loan was now in ffefee. Sheehan asked ff Government consulted law officers as to legality of appointment of Vogel as Postmaster-General. McLean said there was no reason whatever for doing so.

July 30. The House met at half-past two p.m. Grey presented a most lengthy petition r > i the e uiy -ettlcrs, praying for compensa- . ,ou f jr hardship suffered. Steward gave notice he would ask leave to in: roducc Deceased Wife’s Sisters Marriage Bill. In reply to J. C. Brown, Richardson said the Great Northern Railway in Canterbury would be open at the end of September next. In reply to Steward. Native Minister said they had no official information or any other except press telegrams of dangerous disease having broken out among horses in Australia, but they would make inquiries in order to take necessary precautions against its introduction if such disease existed in any of the neighbouring colonies. In reply to O’Neil, Reynolds stated that a site for Cape Maria Van Dieraan Light House had been fixed upon to the north-west of that cape, and the lighting apparatus was ordered months ago. With regard to a light house on Island of Moko Hinu, near Wangarei that lighthouse had also been ordered some time ago. He also informed House that it would afford constant employment to a steamer to go to and from one lighthouse and another ; that although the lama was available sometimes a new steamer had been ordered. Asking leave to introduce the Local Gc. vernment Bill caused considerable discussion. Government proposed the second reading be taken on Friday next. Sir George Grey asked for a delay of ten days for so important a measure. He accused the Government of indecent precipitance. A number of members spoke on, and majority agreed that the course proposed by Government was fair and reasonable and allowed sufficient time for consideration of measure. Head wanted further consideration of the Bill to be postponed for three weeks after its second reading. . Bill read first time, and second reading lixml for Friday next. Imprest Supply Bill for £250,000, proposed by the Treasurer, evoked some warm comments from Reader Wood, who denounced the former practice of the House in passing large vot S without comment. He inveighed against the corrupt way in which the finance of the country had been conducted, and said it was time they took stock and ascertained once for all how much they had left to spend. It was clear from Joan correspondence that the country had been deceived. Atkinson intimated it would bo better to move a vote of want of confidence at once, than adopt so novel and unconstitutional a course as opposing an Imprest Supply Bill. Fitzherbert defended Wood, and assorted as a fact that the credit of the country is ruined ; that the country had been systematically deceived in its finance by the late Colonial Treasurer, but that it would never beTound out until fresh men occupied the Government benches. Sir George Grey called attention of the Speaker to the Legislative Councillor (Pollen) on tiie floor of the Housoj as contrary to standing orders. O’Rorke ruled it perfectly in order. Bill then passed through all its stages. House adjourned at 7.3 U.

The Native Minister lah! upon the table the opinion of Solicitor-General, as to the power of Assembly to abolish provinces. Opinion was read, and is to the effect that the power of Assembly to do so is absolute.

W, 11. Harrison’s name was added to Reporting Debates Committee. O’Neil moved for information relating to r cks or break rs of Kourangi Point, between Oape Fouhvind and Gape Fart well in consequence of statement made by Captain McLean last trip. Reynolds said the existence of breakers was well Imown since 1872. They were reported upon after exam'nation by Captain Edwin and a sketch sent io Admi.a ity. Notice to Mariners warning them was printc I besides rocks were laid down in all charts since 1875. House adjourned at 8.45.