Parliamentary.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 963, 23 July 1881, Page 3

Parliamentary.

[from our own correspondent]. Wellington, July 19. Last evening in the debate on the Crown and Native Lands Bating Bill, Mr. Ormond moved an amendment that the proposals of the Government in respect to local Government, and local Finance are unsatisfactory. The Government accept the motion as a vote of want of confidence. Mr. Saunders and other corner men will support Ormond, and it is the belief at present that Ormond will be successful in defeating the Ministry. In such case Government will appeal to the County. The debate continues to-day. July 21. Mr. Ormond’s amendment fell like a bombshell on the Government benches. The debate was opened by Mr. Saunders, who criticised adversely the Governmant proposals, and proposed that both Islands be formed into five provinces, each to be governed by an elected Superintendent, with an executive consisting of nine members ; six to be elected *by the people, and three by Road Boards, but not to have power of making laws. Ormond announced no definite policy, but confined his remarks to criticism on the Government proposals. The Postmaster General defended the Government. Mr. Levestam of Nelson supported the amendment. Mr. Collins considered the Government were worthy of confidence because they brought the country out of great financial difficulties. Mr. Murray followed in the same fine, and made a piteous appeal to Mr. Ormond, amid ironical laughter from the Opposition, to withdraw his amendment, and suggested that the Government take back their bills and remodel them.

Mr. Turnbull bored the House for two hours. Te Wheoro and Tawhai strongly denounced the Government, the latter likened them to voracious monsters trying to swallow up the Native lands. Mr. Wakefield followed, trying to explain why he supported the Government, after his speech at the commencement of the Session, lie charged Ormond with duplicity, for while professing to be friendly with the Government, he was treating with the Opposition to defeat his late political friends. Ormond this, and said no one knew his intention but Mr. Stevens. Mr. Wood replied to Mr. Wakefield, and adversely criticised the Government financial proposals. He maintained that the country

was not so prosperous as was depicted; or, why were there so many bankruptcies in the Colony, and empty houses in Wellington. Mr. Oliver defended the Government. Sutton, Russell and Seymour, all spoke on the Government side. The Grey party declined to address the House, being anxious to divide. The Opposition say they have 47 votes, but the doubtful members are Allwright, Bunny Colbeck, and Finn, who is absent. All the Maori members announce their intention to vote with Ormond. An attempt will be made to-night to force a division unless members of the Government address the House. July 22. In the Legislative Council a motion, made by Mr Menzies in favor of bible reading in schools, was carried by a majority of two. The debate on Mr Ormond’s motion in the House last night was very animated. The Premier rose after Tawhai, and made a slashing speech, attacking Ormond for deserting his party without notice, and contrasting his conduct with that of Mr Stafford when placed in the same position. He ridiculed Sir George Grey’s proposals, which brought the latter to his feet, and declaimed against the large landowners exhibiting anger towards Weston, and said the Government was right in removing such incompetent judges from the bench. This brought expressions of dissent from all sides. Weston had previously adversely criticised Grey’s proposals. Saunders followed, and while expressing a strong disapproval of the Government proposals, preferred to vote for the Government, rather than give Grey and Sheehan a chance of returning to pewer. To-day Mr. Gibbs talked to empty benches for nearly two hours. Mr. Reed declared he would vote against Government because they neglected the mining interests. The doubtful members have gone over to the Government side fearing Grey would return to power, if the Ministry were ousted. The Government whips were jubilant when the House rose this afternoon, being confident of a majority of two against Ormond’s amendment. All other business is suspended. Murray proposes to bring in a bill to repeal the Triennial Parliaments Act. The debate will last till Tuesday night, by general consent.