SKETCHES IN PARLIAMENT.

Patea Mail, 23 June 1881, Page 3

SKETCHES IN PARLIAMENT.

(ifROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.) Wellington, Monday. The real business of the session commenced last Tuesday, when Mr Collins, the newly-elected member for Nelson suburbs, moved the Address in reply to His Excellency’s speech. Mr Collins was most namby-pamby, and caused disappointment. He did tickle the House by congratulating them on the happy return of settlers to the Waimate Plains. Most people thought that settlers must firs 1 leave a place before they can be said to return to it ; but Mr Collins seemed to know better. When Sir George Grey rose, a deep silence was observable in all parts of the House. He criticised the speech in all its points- Alluding to the first paragraph, he said the House was told the people were more hopeful for the future. Why (said Sir George) are the people more hopeful ? Because they know that through the passing of the Triennial Act, they will soon be enabled to place representatives in the House in whom they have confidence. This remark was greeted with applause from even members on the Ministerial side of the House. Sir George announced that nothing would satisfy the colony but a perfect system of loyal self-government. The cheers which followed this statement from all sides of the House, especially when he complained in vigorous language of the omission of all reference to the matter in His Excellency’s speech, caused some*members of the Cabinet to look uneasy. Mr Wakefield followed in an eloquent and brilliant speech. Turning to Ministers, he said he would not cohtinue to give them a general support unless they were prepared to introduce this session a bill which should give to the people real local Government. Some people are of opinion that the Government put up Mr Wakefield to reply to Sir George, and that Mr Wakefield, carried away by the enthusiasm caused by his speech, said more than was intended. The address was carried without a division. LICENSING. The Licensing Bill was then introduced by the Colonial Secretary, who briefly explained the provisions of the proposed bill* He was followed by Sir W. Fox, who criticised the Bill, especially those clauses which' enacted that the principle of local option should not affect those houses already in existence. He said that if certain . clauses which he had prepared were not carried in committee, bringing local option into operation as affecting both old and new licenses, he would take no further interest in the Bill. Colonel Trimble gave his experience as to the effects of free trade in liquor,in Liverpool and Manchester, and advocated such a system for New Zealand. He denied that Sir G. Grey had addressed

large audiences in Liverpool or Manchester without he being acquainted with the fact, but Sir George shut the hon, member up like an oyster when in explanation he caustically remarked “ that he had addressed such audiences, although the hon. gentleman might not have known it.” Mr Spreight made some observations in favour of the measure, after which the Colonial Secretary replied and the Bil passed its second reading. CHINESE BILL. The second reading of the Chinese Immigration Bill was proposed by Major Atkinson, and was carried without a division although opposed by Sir W. Fox and cheap labor advocates. HOSPITALS AND CHARITIES. On Thursday the Hospital and Charitable Aids L'll caused a large amount of discussion which occupied nearly the whole sitting. Mr Moss moved an amendment to the effect that the consideration of the Bill be deferred until the Government brought down a Local Government Bill. A vigorous debate ensued, which showed that however unwilling the Government may be to introduce such a measure their seats as Cabinet Ministers will become exceedingly slippery unless they bow to popular opinion., Mr Moss withdrew his proposition at. the request of several leading members of the Opposition who did not think the measure before the House should be legislated upon from a party point of view. Mr bryce’s explanation. On Friday the time of the House was principally occupied in discussing the Chinese and Licensing Bills in Committee. Prior however to the House proceeding to the orders of the day Mr Bryce gave a personal explanation with respect to a despatch forwarded by the Governor to Earl Kimberley. Mr Bryce is popular in the House and his remarks will not add to to the popularity at present enjoyed by Sir Arthur Gordon. LICENSING AMENDMENT. When the Bill was in committee, Sir William Fox proposed an amendment which was carried by a large majority affirming the principle that licensing commissioners should be elected by the ratepayers and not nominated by the Crown. .The proposed alteration was vigorously opposed by the Government, but without avail. The general election stares members in the face, and the result is that every question requiring the endorsement of popular will is carried. The The large majority by which this amend- 1 ment was carried should warn the Government. There has been a rumor that the Government will drop the bill* but this is not confirmed. LOCAL GOVERNMENT. It. is said Major Atkinson, who is the author of the County Councils Act, is opposed to any reform altering its principle, Messrs Rolleston and Dick are not satisfied with its working ; while the Premier and Mr Whitaker are determined opponents to decentralisation. GOSSIP. The general opinion is that the session will be a short one, but this view is shared principally by Government supporters. The Opposition, on the other hand, believe the Government will not obtain that “ political rest ” which they are desirous of having. The Middle Party, headed by Mr Ormond, is particularly quiet. Mr Ormond does • not believe in Sir George Grey and his immediate following, and are therefore quietly watching events. My opinion is' that they will seek by their attitude to force the Government to carry out their views this session rather than by their votes oust the present Cabinet and placeithe irreconcilables into power. Sir George Grey and Mr Ballance have buried the hatchet, they having combined to show open hostility to the Government, with a view of once again seizing the reins of power. At present they have not the confidence of a majority, and from what I can learn are not likely to obtain their object. There are all kinds of rumors as to who is to take the vacant portfolio. It is distinctly stated that both Messrs Bain and Richardson have been offered the position but they declined. Mr Wakefield’s name is freely mentioned as the “ coming man,” but I believe it is only a “ lobby rumour.”