TELEGRAMS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 298, 14 August 1875, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) WELLINGTON. August 11. The Abolition debate was resumed on Tuesday night by Sir George Grey in a long speech, concluding with a request for further delay. Sir Donald McLean replied saying the Government had been told that the Assembly had no power to abolish the provinces. They ha it he power, and they had the authority of the people, which came with overwhelming force frotn tlie country. Reader Wood said that the Government proposals were bribes to the centres of population at the expense of i.he country districts, and he warned Bout hern members that if the Bill passed, their land fund would vanish as the Auckland customs revenue had done. The land fund would be swallowed up in the malestrom of colonial finance. On Wednesday, Von Der Heyd.e asked the Government why the cost of the railway wharf at Wellington, £25,000, should come out of Colonial funds, whilst the Auckland Harbor Board had to provide their own. The Hon. Mr. Richardson said that Wellington had no Harbor Board, but the General Government, though not finding funds for Auckland, had, at least, found endowments on which money had been raised. Mr. Steward moved for the fourth time the second reading of the Deceased Wife’s Sister Marriage Bill. Although somrpeople thought all that could be said against it had been said before, yet there was still a great deal to be said in its favor that had not yet been urged. When he first introduced the Bill only one legislature in Australasia had passed such a measure, but now every Government in Australasia, with the exception of New Zealand, had passed the Bill. The hon. member instanced the fact that 26 Lay Peers besides several eminent Bishops had supported the measure in the-House of Lords. He quoted ’from several of them, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, to show that these marriages were Hot only not . against the church but often prevented considerable immorality. Besides the Catholic Church permitted these marriages, and that church did not sanction anything sinful or immoral ; and he referred to the high opinion of Cardinal Wiseman, an opinion that might one day be the most authoritativo opinion in the Catholic Church. The Methodist, Baptist, and many other denominations, in conference decided in favour of removing the disability, and petitioned for its removal. All this showed that a large majority of Christain denominations were in favor of legalising marriage with a deceased wife’s sister; it could „not be against what is said in the Bible. Then as to its social aspect, amongst many arguments used against the Bill there had been none or any weight on that score; and if the onus probandi were thrown upon him, he was prepared to prove with overwhelming evidence from all parts of the world, except. Great Britain, to show that no ill effects had arisen from such marriages. The hon. member then quoted from the speeches of Gladstone and Bright in favor of the Bill. He “hoped the house would pass the Bill, which would be a great help to those who were endeavouring to pass similar bills at home. Mr. Pyke said the Bill ought really to be entitled a Bill to legalise incest in the second degree. (Oh, oh!) The true. Basis' of all legislation was to legislate for the majority, but in this case they were asked to legislate for the minority. The Act was merely toenable one libidinous man to marry some libidinous woman. - ( Such marriages were calculated to destroy all harmony between sisters living in one house, and render each an object of jealousy and suspicion to the other, and sow discord, and prove generally disastrous to the social welfare of the people. Mr. M’Gillivray moved that the Bill be read that day six months. He considered it an invasion of our social usuages. A division was then taken, the result being 29 in favour of the second reading, and 25 against it. The Estimates provide for the appointment of an Inspector of prisons, salary at £6OO. They also contain a large number of Departmental items, including £lOO to Mr. Batkin, Secretary to the Treasurer, and £lOO to Mr. Gill, Native Accountant in the new office of Secretary of Native Schools. £lO,OOO is also put down for a second Cook Straits cable. August 12.

In the House of Representatives yesterday, Mr. Rolleston moved that the Friendly Societies Act 1867, should receive the immediate attention of the Government. He said that further provision was required to enable these societies more effectually to manage their own affairs, and moved that a draft bill be prepared, and circulated amongst the several societies inviting their suggestions prior to meeting of the next Parliament. The Hon. Mr. Bowen said that Government had much pleasure in acceding to the motion.

The Abolition debate was resumed at the evening sitting by Mr. Luckie who spoke in favor of the measures. With reference to Auckland province he said it was true that the Provincial Government had discharged all its liabilities and had a credit balance, but at the expense and stoppage of all Public Works. After twelve years’ experience, he had come to the conclusion that it was impossible to carry the present colonial policy to a successful issue, if subjected to hostility from Provincial Governments. Mr. Montgomery doubted the possibility of the general revenue yielding the promises of Government, with respect to the endowment of Road Boards and municipalities. He entered into calculations tending to show how the bill would meet the requirements of outlying districts, and thought than an important Bill like this should be relegated to the decision of the Mr. Tribe said that the country was ripe for abolition, and great injury would be inflicted if the question were longer delayed.

Mr. Gibbes would vote for the second reading, but reserved his right to vote in committee for amendments. August 13. On Thursday evening the largest meet ing ever held in Wellington took place at the instigation of the Mayor to consider the abolition proposals. J If. Wallace moved that this meeting do approve, of the Ab d.tion Bill, and trusts it will be carried without delay. R. J. Duncan moved an amendment that, in the opinion of this meeting, consi luring the very slUort time the Abolirion and Local Goverdment Bills have been before the people, and the fact, that in a few months a new Parliament will be elected, it is the wisest, and most constitutional course, to allow the electors to give their opinions upon questions of such vital importance. Mr. Pearce, M.H.R.,for Wellington city expressed dissent wit h amendment, which was carried by a large majority. LONDON. July 24. Unparalleled excitement occurred in the House of Com molts yesterday, when Mr Disraeli withdrew the Merchant Shipping Bill. Mr. Plimsoll made a violent speech in opposition to its withdrawal, in the course of which he urged upon Premier not to con-, sign thousands of human £>eings to death by attending to the representations of shipowners in Parliament. Mr. Phmsoll said he was determine d to unmask I he.villains who were sending sailors to certain death. He was called upon to retract his words, but. refused to do so, and presented to the Speaker a protest. Mr. Plimso 1 then left the House. Mr. Disraeli moved that the Speaker reprimand Mr. Plimsoll, but it. was finally agreed to afford him an opportunity for apologising and a motion was carried requiring Mr. Plimsoil to attend the House of Commons for that purpose on the 29th July.