PARLIAMENTARY.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 362, 5 October 1878, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Per Press Agency.)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, WELLINGTON. October 4. On the House resuming at 7.30 last night, Mr Sutton and Mr Wakefield announced their intention to oppose the third reading of the Land Tax Bill. Mr McMinn, while considering- portions objectionable, supported the reading. After several other members had spoken, the Premier spoke at considerable length, in defence of the Bill, and dwelt on the injustice with which the public suffered, by the way the Canterbury lands had been administered. Mr Rolleston, who followed, made a very animated reply. After a number ■ of other members had spoken, the Bill was ordered to be read a third time,, by 42 against 19., The Customs Tariff Bill then passed without any discussion. Mr Ballance moved the second reading of the Beer Duty Bill, Mr Johnston moved that it be read (hat day six months. The quesiim being put, that the words proposed to be left put stand part of question, a division was j taken, which resulted in 30 voting against Government, and 28 for them.

Mr Stout accused tliree members of breaking pairs, which was denied, and led to explanations. Thedebate was adjourned until to-day, the House rising at 1 a.m. . The House met this afternoon. Mr O'Rorke will introduce a Bill for equalising publican’s fees throughout the colony. MrCarrington and Mr Green corroborated Major Atkinson and Mr Murray-Aynsley in saying that they paired on the Land Tax Bill only, and it was agreed on the motion of the Premier that the House on rising at 5.30 should adjourn till 7.30 on Monday. The first order of the day being called, the Premier made a Ministerial statement, that, after what bad occurred last night, he bad inquired and satisfied himself that there was a feeling amongst Government supporters hostile to these Bills, and consequently Government did not think it would be practicable to pass them in such a form as to render thorn useful measures. Government therefore determined to withdraw them, but as (he Colonial Treasurer would he embarrassed thereby, a statement would bo made in a few days informing the House how that financial embarrassment was to he surmounted. Mr Sheehan recommended Mr Johnston to withdraw his amendment. If he did not, those of the Government supporters who voted with him last night, would now vote against him. This led to a long recriminatory discussion, which was kept up till the House rose, the majority of those speaking being opposition members. Mr Bryce expressed the utmost astonishment at the course adopted by the Government, saying he could not have believed it possible, after their assurances that they would stand or fall by their policy as a whole. To prevent the Bill being killed in an irregular manner, Mr Watson moved the adjournment of debate, which was put, and agreed to. The last few minutes was somewhat disorderly, a clamor following a complaint from Mr Stout that the Opposition were talking against time. The House rose at 5 40.