WELLINGTON.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2063, 14 August 1875, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

Friday. Mr Eolleston has given notice of his intention to move for copies of any instruct tions or credentials given to Mr Thomas Russell as representing or acting for the Colonial Government; also, " That there" be laid on the table a return showing the detail of all payments, allowances, or gratuities made or authorised to be made to any agent or agems or rrpresentative of the Colonial Government, on account of services rendered outside the colony since the 30th June, 1874, specifying the services on account of which such expenditure has been made or authorised."

In answer to a question from Mr Eolleston, the Colonial Treasurer laid upon the table a return provided for in the 65th section of the Constitution Act.

In reply to Mr Sheehan, the Government said a bill was in preparation for facilitating the recovery of rates against real estate.

Sir George Grey asked for leave to introduce a bill to enact that all Orders •in Council in relation €6 confiscated lands which may hereafter be issued by the Governor, or which may have been issued since the 20th July last, shall be null and void. ' '

Sir Donald McLean said the proposal was of such a character that the Government would oppose the introduction of a bill.

Sir George Grey then proceeded to state his reasons for asking to introduce a bill. The Government already admitted the necessity for bringing the confiscated lands under the ordinary laws of the colony. They also admitted they had committed an illegal act regarding certain confiscated lands, and he believed many more unlawful transactions of the same kind had been done. He also believed that many persons now in the colony held lands out of the confiscated"* blocks without any legal title. He must protest against these secret dealings with land, such as giving large portions of the publi6 estate to one gentleman in an illegal manner, and without the knowledge of the House or country. It was time, therefore, that some healing measure should be He denounced the practice of covering over these misdoings by Orders in Council. In asking to introduce this bill, he wanted it to pass through the House as far as the second reading, and there relegate the matter to the next Parliament to fully decide as to what was the best means,to correct these abuses. They would be a new, unprejudiced, and ioa-

partial body, and let them consummate the work begun now. Sir Donald said the Government did intend bringing in a general measure to deal with these lands, as the circumstances that once caused them to be dealt with in a different maaner to any other lands of the colony had passed away. The Government had no objection to any light whatever being thrown upon the transactions refered to. The more powerful the light the better, but he would ;at the outset repel most strongly all the imputations conveyed by the hon. member. The Government would accord every assistance in obtaining the most ample investigation.

Mr Fitzherbert said to hear the hon. member at the head of the Government speak regarding these confiscated lands, «ne wonld think they were the very models of innocence.

Mr Stafford said, no doubt these Orders in Council regarding confiscated lands were not a derivable species of legislation, but defended the General Government in the past for their action towards the confiscated lards in relation to- the three-mUHon loan. He must tell the Bouse t'i'p.t- the step taken by the member •/>? Auckland City West pmountec practically to a vote of want of confidence, and should have been brought down in a different form. Had the hon. member asked for an invest'gatlcn, he should have bad his support, but instead of that'he burked inquiry and insulted the House by telling them, "You a-e not worthy to examine this matter, but relegate it to a new, a fa:r and impartial tribunal." Imagine such a charge hanging over the heads of any Government without an opportnrity for repelling it. Imagine any Government siting down quietly under these imputations and'al'owiug them to filter into the minds of the people, and go with them io the hustings, to confront them at the nexi election. ' The idea was .'ngeirous, but he trusted the House would not allow such tactics.

Mr Sheehau said the Government should not have objected at the initial stage to the introduction of a bill. They should have waited till its secoad reading. * Mr Atkinson read the words of the resolution, to show that it said nothing about an enquiry, but wanted to condemn the Government without giving them any opportunity to defend themselves. The Government were thus forced to stand or fall upon the question raised. Mr Eeadeiv VVood, with all his experience of Parliament, had 1 never seen leave refused to introduce a bill by making it a vote of want of confidence. Everything seemed now to be regarded as a vote of want of confidence. It was fast becoming impossible to obtain any investigation, and they were, in fact, gagged. Messrs Cuthberfcson, T. L. Shepherd, Lnckie, and Meryyn spoke against the leave being*granted to bring ia the Bill, while Mr Montgomery and Mr Beeves made speeches in favor of the motion of the hon. member for City West (Auckland), when Mr White was proceeding to move an amendment but was cut short at 5.30, the hour of adjournment for dinner.

This day.