OUR SPECIAL.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1052, 27 June 1883, Page 3

OUR SPECIAL.

. (by telegraph.) WELLINGTON, This day. Government were defeated yesterday in an unexpected way. Sir George Grey thereby scored a victory which Le could not have expected and there is joy on the Opposition side, but the question in dispute was only one of form and contained no principle of policy. Sir G. Grey wanted to introduce a Bill for repealing, part of an Imperial Act known as the Constitution Act which defines the constitutional form of Government in this colony giving a discretionary power to the colony to alter some of its arrangements but enacting that the colony shall not do certain other things which are declared to be beyond its competence. For example the colony cannot annex territory or make treaties with foreign powers. Sir G. Grey had introduced a Bill for abolishing the Upper House and he wanted now to introduce another bill for asserting the independence of this colony by repealing so much of the Constitution Act os relates to this Colony. The Speaker rose to object to the Bill as beyond the power of the House to entertain, and he asked the House to say whether this and Sir G. Grey’s other Bill ought to go on. Sir Geo. Grey replied with ah eloquent disclaimer of any imputation that he was a bad citizen, and said he wished to make this colony independent of Imperial control, so that the colony might alter its constitution as it pleased. Major Atkinson then asked the House to refuse leave for introducing the Bill ■ as being ultra vires, and said the proper mode of changing the constitution as followed hitherto, was to present

an address :-o tl n 'lmperial Parliament. Mr Montgomery, as tho recognised leader of the Opposi ion, supported Sir G. Grey’s plan of don.; the s-uno thing by a Bill ins '-ad of an-address. Many members on the Liberal side spoke, and the House .divided-, on the question, whether leave should ho given to introduce the Bill. This was carried by a majority of four, and the defeat of Government was hailed by Liberal members with loud clapping of hands. The Bill was then rend a first time. The Government cannot long delay the bringing forward of their intended motion lor reforming the Legislative Council This successful skirmishing of Sir George Grey’s, will hasten the question, and give it increased importance, but when the two rival plans for dealing with the Upper House come to be discussed, there can be no doubt a great majority will support the Government in substituting an elective instead of the nominated Chamber, and that Sir George Grey’s Bill for abolishing the Upper House will fail; to get much support. One difficulty in its way- is that snob a Bill cannot possibly pass through the Upper House for so large a body of the Legislative Councillors are not likely to condemn their own existence.

The Financial Statement will be made this evening. I regret to learn that Major Atkinson’s health is not very strong for the heavy work which falls on him as leader of the House. But he is in moderate trim for this evening and his statement is understood to be lengthy. It is awaited with keen interest by members on both-sides, because the financial position of the colony influences so many other questions that cannot.be. dealt till the financial budget has been explained. . The Ministry have successfully kept their own counsel as to any intended change in taxation. No rumours.of this nature are afloat among members. The Treasurer is not expected to announce a large surplus, though it ■is known that savings have been in several of the spending departments. The revenue is expected to show considerable fluctuations in the four quarters of the year, though the whole result is said to be in excess of the estimates. The change made in the termination of the financial year by carrying it to the end of May, will make the statement more complicated for purposes of comparison as between this year and last. The comparative result of this year will, however, be found encouraging and will present a striking contrast with the individual hardships which so many traders and settlers have - suffered through the late severe change in bank policy. I have just met on the wharf, Mr Hunt, arrived from Samoa, to prosecute his action against Sir Arthur Gordon for false imprisonment. Hunt claims eight thousand pounds damages, and the case will be tried in the. Supreme Court shortly.