PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1120, 11 August 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[per VNITEI) mess association.] Legislative CounciL

WELLINGTON. August 10. The Council met this afternoon and imme diately adjourned until Monday. House of Representatives.

The House met at 2.30 p.m. Mr George gave notice that ho would ask the Government if they would bring in a Bill making it illegal for any member of this House to accept office of profit under the Crown until they had first sought reelection, The Small Birds Nuisance Bill was reported from the Legislative Council with amendments whioh, on the motion of Mr Steward Were agreed to. Mr Bathgate made personal explanations relative to certain allegations said to have been made by the member for Pieton, that he (Bathgate) had lived in England at tho expense of the Colony. The fact of the matter was that ho got leave of absence on half-pay, the whole of whioh was absorbed in paying passages to and from England. Mr Conolly said that he had never used any such expression as that imputed to him. The debate on the No,Confidence motion was resumed by Mr Levin, who announced his intention of supporting the motion for the second reading.' Tawhai announced his intention of supporting the amendment of Mr Montgomery. His opinion was that they should not borrow any more money at present and thereby increase the burden of taxation.

Mr Hobbs looked upon Mr Montgomery’s amendment as a most extraordinary one. It was ostensibly made with the idea of catching votes opposed to borrowing, where, as was shown by himself in his own statement, he was in favour of borrowing. He quite believed that the Government had the unbounded confidence of the Colony. The Native Minister in particular was lauded for his successful operations at Parihaka.

Mr Harris announced that he would vote for the amendment ; in common with many other districts the district he represented would get no benefit from the borrowed money, but on the other hand they would be saddled with its burdens.

Mr Munro announced that lie would support tho motion for tho second reading. He complained that the Goldfields’ Vote was too small, and to that extent the financial proposals of the Government were unsatisfactory. Against that he placed the administration of the Government, which he reviewed in most favorable terms.

Mr Joyce characterised the loan proposals as an act of indecent haste if the statement made by the Treasurer that at least 10,000 persons would be in greatly straightened circumstances if this loan was not negotiated, and went Home ; the effect on the credit of the Colony would be most disastrous. A breathing space till next year without borrowing would have a most beneficial effect on the credit of the Colony. If the question of railway administration were gone into a bill of indictment would be preferred sufficient to hurl the present Government from office, and that very justly too. Mr Moss asked Mr Montgomory to state : plainly if the amendment meant that all bor- ' rowing should cease for a year at least. If : so, he would support it. He had tabled a I potion affirming that principle, and that I motion was supported by 24 members on I both sides qf the House. On that occasion | Mr Montgomery walked out, and he was , anxious to know his real views on the subject ! now. ‘The expenditure showed an excess j over ordinary revenue of at least £27Q,000. : A very large proportion of that was sent away ’ to the foreign market. The aggregate earni inas of the whole population of New Zealand ; diu not much exceed thirteen millions. In i contradistinction to the opinions expressed by i the Treasurer, he contended that the Cue- ■ toms duties were not lighter now than they I were ten years ago. The apparent decrease , he attributed to a lack of purchasing power on ; the part of the population. Interrupted by 5.30 adjournment, i At the evening sitting, ! Mr Moss continued the debate, entering ' largely into a discussion of the general flnan- ; oiul position of the Colony. Mr Hurst supported the Government, and | said that if Montgomory would release the members on his side from certain written pro- ' raises and allow them to vote on the question : according to their consciences, very few would follow him (Montgomery) into the lobby. He i supported the loan proposals. Mr Fish said he had come to the House an ; independent member, rather inclined to favor i the Government, but their conduct had been ■ so weak and vacillating, and their udministra- , tion so bad that he felt it his duty to oppose ■ them to the utmost. He severely criticised 1

Hurst’s past conduct, and also that of several other members on the other side of the House, including Munro. He contended that the Government had corruptly bargained for, and bought, votes, in order to show a good profit. The railway rolling stock had been allowed to fall into dangerous disrepair. After the usual adjournment,

Mr Fish continued his speech, denying that he was opposed to the construction of the North Island trunk line,but complaining of the tricky way the Government wished to provide for it. He did not think the South Island was fairly treated in the allocation of the general loan. As to the bogy conjured up about the Grey Government returning to office, it did not frighten him. Grey was a head and shoulders above all those who attacked him, but neither Grey nor Sheehan would under any circumstances take office ; and Macandrew would prefer not to. There were 40 new members and they could form a Ministry from them. He severely criticised all the members of the Ministry, except the silent, strong man, Bryce, who had well-deserved a title from his Sovereign. Mr Fish concluded a three hours’ speech by announcing his intention to support Montgomery. Mr Petrie accused Mr Fish of having sat on a rail as long ns any man in the House, and of being now deluded by a dangling portfolio. He would himself, though not a party man, support the Government this time, because he approved of their policy. Mr Pyke would support Mr Montgomery’s motion, but did not believe in his aguments. To stop borrowing would be ruinous, but the proposed allocation of the Loan was what he objected to. Otago would have to pay onethird of the interest, and should get one-third of the money ; nothing less would satisfy him. Capt. McKenzie did not think Mr Fish’s style would have much effect in that House ; his speech had, however convinced him (Mackenzie) that it was his duty to vote on the other side, and he would therefore support the Government. Messrs. Rutherford and J. Green spoke briefly, announcing their intention of voting for the second reading of the bill. Mr Stevens moved tho adjournment of the debate, whioh was supported by DoLxutour, Sheehan, Atkinson, and others.

Mr Sutton and others wished to go on and take tho division.

Mr Montgomery said he was quite prepared to do this, but ultimately the adjournment was agreed to, and the House rose at 2.50