PARLIAMENTARY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2602, 23 July 1881, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, July 22. The House met at 2.30 p.m. NOTICE OF MOTION. Mr Reeves gave notice that he would move that 2s 6d per ton duty be imposed on all coal imported into the colony. PETITION. Mr Fulton presented a petition signed by 900 residents of Dunedin opposing the Lotteries and Graining Bill. NEW BILL. Mr Murray gave notice that he would ask leave to introduce a Bill to regulate the duration of Parliaments, to come into force on the expiry of the present Parliament. THE NO CONFIDENCE MOTION. Mr Gibbs resumed the debate on the no confidence motion. He announced his intention of supporting the Government. Mr Reid said the proposals made by the Government were in manj r respects suitable to the district he repesented. He was not opposed to those proposals, but he wan opposed to the Government itself.

Mr Shrimski also avowed his intention of voting against the Government. He charged them with having neglected the interests of his district, He was also opposed to the proposals they brought down. He charged Ministers with dangling the vacant portfolio before tne eyes of the members for the purpose of receiving support. Mr Hursthouse criticised Mr Wood at length, saying that he had ability and prestige enough to make him & political leader, whereas he had by his unstable conduct simply dragged constitutional government through the mire. He combatted the assertion that a plentiful supply of cheap money was not evidence of material prosperity. It showed that colonial investments were looked upon as being good enough to attract foreign capital. Referring to the liberal measures he said that if his party would allow him he would introduce a Bill to-moirow and repeal the Triennial Parliaments Bill and he would be bound to carry it. He announced bis intention of voting for the Government.

Mr Gisborne said in the present slate of affairs they were over burdened with local business. The result of this state of things was that instead of being colonial representatives, were converted into a mere local Parliament. It was not their fault, it was the fault of the present system. Believing that the Government proposals tended to perpetuate this state of things, he would rote against those proposals in favor of the amendment.

Mr Whyte said he did not think the Governmant proposals altogether perfect but nothing better had been suggested. The carrying of the amendment would necessitate a dissolution and a second session. The second honorarium might not be unacceptable, but as he did not think the present Ministry likely to be improved upon he should vote against the amendment, Mr Moss denied that the present system provided local government in any respect. They gave the local bodies no power to raise their own funds Redistribution was the card the Government was going to play. They would keep on the debate until they had induced one or two mombes to go over to them. They would then bring down a Redistribution of Seats Bill whiedi they knew would not pass. They would then go to the country and say that the horrible Opposition prevented them from passing this Bill. The Legislative Council should also be made elective, and elected by the local bodies to guard their rights. Mr Harris moved the adjournment of the debate, and the House rose at midnight and adjourned till Tuesday-