PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3380, 22 October 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[Special Wibe to "Stab."]

(Pee Piiess Association.)

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Wellington, Last night,

In the Legislative Council to-day, after the routine matters were disposed of, the Attorney-General, in reply to Col. Brett, said a telegraph station would be erected at Kirwee, Canterbury. WAITING FOR THE COMMONS. On the question of business, the Attor-ney-General proposed that the Council should clear the order paper of nondebatable matters, leaving all important questions still postponed till the Lower House had disposed of the no-confidenco motion. Ifc would be necessary for the Council to meet each day, however, as an Imprest Bill, which was much wanted, might be received at any moment from other chamber. The Council agreed to the proposition. COST OF BAISING MONET. In moving a motion for printing a

return, Mr Waterhouae spoke strongly and at length on the cost of raising loans which had increased and was increasing and ought to be diminished. The expenses, he showed from figures, had in many cases been more than trebled, and was caused by too many persons being allowed to have a hand in the business. He had taken up the subject so that public attention should be called to it.

TUB LA.ND POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT

On the motion of the Hon. Mr Miller for a select committee to enquire into the expenses of Native Lands purchases for past year and a quarter, a long discussion arose.

Sir F. Bell considered the whole policy of the Government in incurring heavy liabilities for land without the sanction of the Assembly was wrong. Mr Wuterhouse agreed with the last speaker, and said the amount of the present unauthorised claims was nearly a million. The Government also employed agents who often bought at a high price land absolutely worthless.

A suggestion was made that the committee should recommend remedial measures for the cause complained of, and with this understanding the motion was carried.

The Council adjourned at a quarter to four. . , HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30. The Election Committees were 9 Torn in. WOBKMEN's CLAIMS OK m INSOLVENT ESTATEB. * , Replying to Mr Wright, Mr Hall said the Government fully acquiesced in the importance of a Bill being passed to amend subsection 2 of section 10th of the Debtors aud Creditors Act, 1876, so as to give artizans and laborers a preferential claim for wages due to the extent of three months instead of one month as provided by the Act. TAXATION. Replying to Mr Finn Major Atkinson said the Government introduce several amendments this session to the Land Tax Act, 1878. COUNTY LEGISLATION. Replying to Mr Seddon Mr Hall said that so soon as the Electoral Bill was passed the Government intended to introduce a Bill to amend the Counties Act. THE GOVEBNMENT PBOPO3ALS. The Premier stated that it was within the knowledge of the House that with the view of facilitating the despatch of public business the Government had made a proposal to take up the no-confidence motion that day provided they (the Opposition) allowed the business to'" be gone on with in the interim. Another proposal was that a special sitting should be held on Monday to dispose of this matter. Both of these proposals were rejected, in fact down to the present time no business had been done. Under these circumstances the Government considered that it had exhausted every means for conciliation and would not agree to the passing of Bills going out of their own hands They proposed then to go on with these Bills, and would consent to no other, business being taken until that was done. In that they believed they were following out the wishes of the country, and would be supported by a majority in the Houses, at all events, they feit convinced they would be borne out by the voice of the country. He (Mr Hall) thought that explanation was necessary before proceeding further with the business. Several Bills were then introduced. DEBATE RESUMED. The interrupted debate on the question that leave be granted to introduce a Bill to amend the law relating to electors qualified to vote at election for the House of Representative was resumed by Mr Hall. He argued that the Governor was not bound to ask a retiring Government who should be sent for to form a new Government. He contended that Sir G. Grey's statements and accusations about the Canterbury land ring were a fallacy, and that he (Grey) was alone responsible for the large estates that had passed into private hands. The accusations made against himself by Sir G\ Grey were miserable slanders, in token of which he pointed to the fact that after yqars of trial the residents of Canterbury still reposed implicit confidence in him. whereas Sir George himself had proved a failure, and stood at present in a most humiliating position. After two years'administration, surrounded by exceptionally favorable and inviting circumstances, what did they find ? He was cast aside, not by his political opponents, but by his friends, who now protested that it was absolutely necessary for the welfare of Liberalism that he should stand aside, or, as he had put it himself, become an outcast. In proceeding, Mr Hall said that what was wanted, and what was aimed at in the ; late want of confidence motion, was the formation of a strong Government, and he bad hoped members would have risen above more party feeling, and given way for the good of the colony. They were 1 on their side a compact body—one in 1 spirit, mind and action, whereas the Opposition was composed of two or rather three section. He could not sec any material difference between themselves and the. Opposition, so far as concerned political principles, and he was, therefore, the more sorry that the opportunity for making a really strong Government should have been lost.

Sir George Grey argued that the debate should bo adjourned until the Supplies were voted. A. message from the Governor advising them to proceed with Supplies had been suppressed by the Government. He went on to say that he thought this was a time when the Crown ought to interfere. Great distress was occasioned by the Government acting in the way it had done about Supplies. In these circumltances it was the duty of the Crown to step in and put an end to such a state of matters.

The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment.