DEBATE ON THE NO CONFIDENCE MOTION.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 266, 31 October 1877, Page 2

DEBATE ON THE NO CONFIDENCE MOTION.

Tee following from the special correspondent of the Taranaki Herald may be looked upon as a reliable summary of the debate in the House of Representatives on Friday night last: — Saturday, October 27.

The debate on the No Confidence motion commenced last night. Major Atkinson made a speech which was not of a forcible character, and gave no strong reasons for such an unusual course as he thought proper to take. The speech was temperate and short, only occupying twenty-five minutes in delivery. ' Mr Reynolds moved an amendment directly, in order to save two debates. The amendment was in the direction I have already indicated—that before tiie policy of the Government was known the House declined to entertain a vote of Want of Confidence. Sir G. Grey made a very eloquent speech, in which he said that the action of the best men of his party contrasted most favourably with the Opposition; they declined to accept office because it might be said of them that they joined him for the sake of office. Such conduct was most honorable to them. Some of the Opposition had pledged themselves to support any Government which would turn out the Atkinson Government, and now he learnt that they were about to violate these pledges and endeavour to place the Minister in power whom they had a few days ago assisted to turn out; it would be well for the future to define political honor and political morality. Mr Gisborne made a very lame explanation for his singular action in first turning Major Atkinson out and now trying to put

him in. The House received the explain! ion with,cold indifference. Mr Curtis was rubbed down by Mr DcLatour very severely. Mr Rdllcston looked the picture of painful indecision and mental perplexity. Mr Bowen was intense!}' disgusted at being spoken of: by Mr DeLatour as “ poor Bowen,” for whom something was to bo done, according to lobby report, by placing liini in the Legislative Council, and conducting the Government business there ; Dr Pollen retiring with a pension. Messrs Kelly and Carrington will vote against Majpr Atkinson;.- because,-..he dins, contrary to their advice, acted too hurriedly and endangered the pqSsinghJf tljo. Harbor Bill this session. This will give the Government ■■ a tier find they'wlll"Tfe saved‘by the Speaker. What the action will be thou it is not easy to,predict; as the.Governor is averse to granting a dissolution. *