AFTERNOON SITTING.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1353, 8 September 1883, Page 2

AFTERNOON SITTING.

Sir George Grey complained of the discourtesy shown to private members by the Government, and recited a long catalogue of omissions on their part He dwelt for some time on their neglect to producj the original agreement with Lhe Bunk of New Zealand He moved, “That the resolutions from the Committee of Ways aud Means be not agreed to until the original agreement between the Government an*t the Dauk of New Zealand be laid on the table.” Replying to Mr J. M‘Kenzie, Mrßolleston said it was to be regretted that the House had to part without having provided for the Pastoral Laws, as proposed iu his Land Bui. The Bill dealt with other matters, the want uf w iich would be much felt. He was hopeful, however, Lhe Legislature next session woubt come to the subject with clearer and better «iefin«-d ideas on the subject. It was difficult for him to say what couise he w*m d pur ue during the recess with these laws, but tins he would assure them, his mind was absolutely made up to discountenance in every possible way the alienation of these lands i > large tracts. He hoped that explanation woulu be received as a general indication of the course he wumd pursue wiji respect to the whole question. Mr 1 urnbud cump.ained that the pugnac iuus disposition of the ireasurer had made matt e s Ln is session less sinoot • and comfortable than t hey might otherwise have been. The motion for the adoption of tne resolution passed in Committee of Ways aud Aleaiis, was put and carried on the voices. Ou the motion of Major Atkinson, the Appruprii ion Bill, and Public Works Appro priatiuu Bill were intiuduced, and read a first and secund time. Alespis steward, Harris, Duncan, W. t . Buc n-nau, shrimski, J. AlcKenziu and others complsmcd of lhe neglect experienced by t ieir lespective districts in regard to public woi ks.

Tiie Appropriation Bill un I Public Works Appropri itioii Bill were th- n committed. Captain Ale Ken zie moved in aidition tu t he latter to aut mrise the purcha-e of the laud required for i ail ways in his district. — 1 his "us lost ou a division of 21 Io 1. Mr 1 >uncan wis ed tu add a clause authorising the construction of bridges over the V\ ait.ki, but. was ruled out of order. Both Buis were reported, and, on the motion for a third reading of tne Appropri atiun dill, Air Montgomery moved the postponement uf the deOdte —Ayes, 13; Noes Z 7 —i'iie bill was read a third time, and passed. Afier further talk, Messrs Montgomery, Grey, Turnbull, and others urged it was unconstitutional to bring on other nusiness after t .e Appropriation Act had passed. Maj *r Atkinson said the only questions the Government intended to bring on were the discharge of the Public Accounts Commite and the report of the Dargatille Committee. Messrs Mirimski and aeddon urged tha< both matters should be allowed to drop this session. On the motion for agreeing to the title of the Appropriation Bill, further discussion t "ok place, which was interrupted by the 5 3u adjournment. EVENING SITTING. On the House resuming at 7,30. both Ap nriation Bill were passed without further debite. On Major Atkinson’s motion, the Public accounts Committee was discharged. Mr Mason then moved that the report of the Dargaville-Atkinson Committee be adopted. He said the report was unanimously arrived at, and the Committee had shown neither personal or party feeling. Mr J. Buchanan urged members, on the eve of separating, to let the dead past bury its dead. It would be well to let the matter d*-np. He, therefore, moved the previous qucition. Mr Montgomery thought the report fully vindicated the Treasurer, and it would not be a wise, generous, and kind thing to let the matter rest where it stood. It was not necessary for the House to pass any resolu tion to enable the Committee to judge of the facts. Mr Bryce quite agreed that if possible thoy should part in peace. The slightest acknowledgement that he had made the ch «rges he did in error, or the least expression of regret from Mr Dargaville, would at once end the matter. Mr Darga\ ille said he would be unworthy to sit there if he withdrew one word, or

uttered oue regret. He had made the charges because they expressed his convictions, and he claimed the right of free speech. He called the Committee a packed one, but was called to order by the Speaker, and withdrew the expression, saying that it had not fairly dealt with him. He had been tied down to a single charge, and that charge the evidence amply sustained. It would be a bad. day for the people when freedom of speech was denied them. Representatives were under terror of select commit ees and political ruin. He was acting according to his conscience, and Ministers were trying to screen themselves from the consequences of their misdeeds. He was prepared for auy consequences. Let them deciare his seat vacant, aud on this oue charge of political corruption he would meet the best man the political king of Auckland could cend to oppose him. He •ared not for the verdict of tne Committee. He appealed to the higher tribunal of his constituents, and any decision the House might arrive at he would treat with the contumely which, iu his opinion it would deserve. Mr Turnbull said the report was fair. Mr Dargaville was apparently very anxious to be mMe a martyi of, but, really it was not worth while to make him one, aud it would be well to let the matter drop. Mr Seddou vindicated the course, Mr Dargaville had taneu, iu showing the courage of his opinions. Mr Aloss urged the necessity of preserving the freedom of speech in that House. He hoped the previous question Would be carried. Messrs Hursthouse, Shaw, and Shepard pointed out t iis could not be done after such a i-peech as Mr Dargaville’s. Mr D dson tliougut Mr Da gaville was simply anxious for notoriety, no matter of ■ow unenviable a character, and they should n t gratify him by going any further. Messrs J. U. Brown and Harris defended Mr Dargaville. and Mr Sheehan said far wor«e tilings had been said in the House, and it was unfair to pick Mr Dargaville out as a victim. They should be very careful of interfeting with the liberty of speech in debate. Messrs Joyce and Barron hoped the matter would be allowed to drop. Major Atkinson had been amply vindicated. < aptain McKenzie and Air Stevens thought Mr Dargaville had mad-* matters much worse by his speech, and the House was bound to assert itself. On a division, Mr Buchanan’s amendment was lost, by 30 to 17. L'ne original question—that the report be agreed to—was then put, when Air Alontgoinery and all those who in the previous division had voted on “ let the matter drop,” eft. the House, with the exception of Air Barron. Tne motion was then carried by 29 lo 2 The House then adjourned at 10 30 to Saturday, at 3 o’clock, fur the prorogation.