PARLIAMENTARY.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 469, 22 October 1879, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, October 21. Petitions regarding the elections of Grey, Wallis, and Hirst, will be heard to-morrow at eleven. An adjourned debate of Government Electoral Bill coming on, Mr Hall explained that they had exhausted every source of conciliation between themselves and the Opposition, He proceeded to reply to some remarks made when the debate was last on, and deprecated the charges of personal nature made against Ministers by the member for the Thames ; also of the way His Excellency had been referred to by same member. Mr Hall i-eplied to many charges made against his Ministry, contending his were a true Liberal united party, while the others were composed of Greyites and those whom he called Dependent Liberals. He denied that there was any Canterbury Land King, and argued that the Land Laws of Canterbury promoted settlement, while the Grey regulations led to the acquisition of immense estates. If Government went out, they would have a majority, and certainly a majority of the country. (Cries of try it). They were not afraid to try it. (Cheers from Government supporters). Their measures were liberal and practical, and the country wanted them. He asked them to lose no time in passing them. The late Government only dangled them before the people. Sir G. Grey defended bis Land Regulations, saying he was a benefactor to New Zealand in introducing these laws. He went on to refer to the unprecedented way supply had been stopped, and they had a right to say that no business should go on till supply was provided. Ministers should come down and ask for it at once, and let a vote be taken. He contended that the Ministry were the representatives of the landed aristocracy in the colony, and of large land claims. It was the duty of his side of the House to say no business shoud be gone on with until supply was granted. Ministers should copy the example he set them, and withdraw when they became an obstacle to progress.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. October 21. Government strongly condemned large unauthorised expenditure in Native Land purchase. Mr Waterhouse said the present obligations amounted to nearly a million. A committee has been appointed to inquire into the whole matter.