PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 155, 12 June 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[Per Press Association.] Legislative Council. Wednesday, June 11. The Council met at 2.30, and on Mr. Oliver’s motion at once adjourned, pending the result of the No Confidence Vote in the House of Representatives. House of Representatives. Wednesday, June 11. The House met at 2.30. Notices of Motion. Mr. Sutton gave notice that he would move, in the event of Mr. Steward’s amendment to the Address-in-Reply being carried, “ That as it is most unlikely that any Government that may be formed will secure the confidence of a majority of the House as at present constituted, the Governor be asked to send down estimates providing for interim supplies, and that he dissolve Parliament with a view to a new election.” No-Confidence Dedate. The debate on the No-Confidence Motion was resumed by Mr. Shrimski. He charged the Government with having no policy to disclose, and with having passed the Roads and Bridges Construction Act well knowing they could not raise the money provided for under the Act. Government had favored the Bank of New Zealand by giving it a large sum of money on fixed deposit out of the insurance fund at five per cent., whereas they charged the local bodies six per cent, on money required for permanent works. Mr. Ivess contended that the reduction proposed to be made this year could have been made much better last year, and he reminded them that the Government frustated an attempt of that kind made on the part of the Opposition.

Mr. J. W. Thomson twitted the Government with its seeming determined not to say a word in reply to the grave charges preferred against them, and blamed them for not making any proposal for remedying the depression which they recognised to exist. Mr. Smith said it was the so-called financial abilities of the Treasurer that got the Government into office, but now they had wakened up to the fact that these abilities were a mere delusion, and that, despite the fact of increased taxation, their finances had been allowed to drift into utter confusion. The House adjourned at 5.30. EVENING SITTING. Mr. Hursthouse said he had heard nothing to justify such a vote. It would be most improper to turn., out the Ministry, when the other side admitted they could not form another. The circumstances of the colony would not justify the expense of a double session, with double honorarium. Mr. Moss objected to the course taken by the Opposition. They had nothing to go to the country on, and no leader to follow. He would not support the motion under such circumstances, and put the colony to the expense of another election. There was no real collusion between the Opposition, and as an Opposition member he would not support the unholy alliance, the only object of which was to turn the Government out. The Opposition leaders were untrue to their party, seeking the aid of the Canterbury members, whose only grievance was the grain tariff. Mr. Connolly defended the Government, and blamed the Opposition leaders for not coming forward boldly. Except on the grain tariff, he believed the Government did possess the confidence of the House, although certain rats had deserted what they thought a sinking ship. The Government had done its duty to the country, and was willing to abide the result.

Mr. Wakefield thought the Governor’s Speech one of the worst he had ever seen, and at great length criticised its contents. He specially condemned the Government proposals regarding Federation. The Government had been wrong first in lowering and then in raising the grain freight. He had endeavored to reconcile the differences between the Opposition, and so bring about the present result, and end the shame of a Ministry in an absolute minority carrying on the Government.

Colonel Trimble opposed the motion, which, however, he admitted was a perfectly legitimate one. Major Atkinson moved the adjournment of the debate.

Messrs. Macandrew and Seddon opposed, urging immediate division. On devision, the motion for adjournment was lost by 37 to 83.

Mr. Steward’s amendment was then put, and carried by 41 to 32. The following is the division list:—

Ayes. Barron McHutton Bathgate Montgomery Brown Morris Bracken O’Callaghan Buchanan, J. Pearson Cadman Petrie Daniells Richardson Dargaville Seddon DeLautour Sheehan Duncan Shepherd Feldwick Shrimski Fish Smith George Steward Grey Sutton Harris Tawhi Holmes Thompson, J. W. Hutchison Tole Ivess Tomoana Levistam Turnbull Macandrew Wakefield Mackenzie, J. Noes. Allwright Johnston, C. Atkinson Johnston, W. Beetham Kelly Brown, J. E. Mason Bryce Mollwraith Buchanan, W. C. Mitchelson Connolly Newman Dick Peacock Dobson Postlethwaite Fitzgerald Rolleston F ulton Shaw Green, J. Sutter Green. M. W. Swanson Harris Thompson, H. Hurst Trimble Hursthouse Watt Mr. Sutton then moved a further amendment, asking the Governor to dissolve the House. Mr. Whitaker seconded. Mr. Rolleston questioned whether such a motion was constitutional. After some discussion the debate was adjourned to 7.30 this evening.