PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3926, 29 July 1881, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Pee Peess Association.)

Wellington, Thursday. THE NO-CONFIDENCE DEBATE— GOVERNMENT VICTORY.

The no-confidence debate was resumed by Mr Wallis. He complained that by the action of the whips of both sides in appointing the division for that night, they had placed a member who still d sired to speak at a disadvantage. He denied the I statement set up that Maori land 3 had not been benefited by the public works expenditure, and should not therefore pay rates. The fact was that these lands before the advent of European enterprise were not worth a farthing per acre, whereas they had now acquired a good round market value. That itself was an answer to the objection referred to. He had no desire to see the Government turned out this session, or to precipitate a dissolution. Still, he had no confidence in the Government as constituted, and would therefore vote agaiust the motion. Totuoana complained that justice had not been done lo the Maoris, and intimated his iutention of opposing the Government. Mr Jonea said the local bodies throughout the whole colony were discontented with the proposals now before them, and with the present state of affairs the local public works board would operate most inconveniently for the local bodies, and the proposed constitution was of such n nature that it was bound to demoralise the House. At present both he and his colleagues knew from experience that it waa only the supporters of Government who could get the reasonable requirements of their district attended to, and under the provisions of their bill that evil would be perpetuated and increased. He blamed Major Atkinson for taking advantage of the failure of the City of Glasgow Bank to aggravate the financial difficulties of the colony. The Patetere business was also one which were it inquired into, such facts would be elicited as would bring a blush iuto the cheeks of even a Boss Tweed. Although | they might not be turned out this might, the time was not far distant when by their own act its members would sink into political graves unwept, unhonoured, and unknown.

Mr Fyke said the House having considerately waited for biin to return from the South, he felt bonad to express the views he held. The country demanded extensive measures of reform jn local government, and large exteusktu of powers*

to local bodies The people had exp cted a remedy, but were disappointed Even sufficient funds lo perform their narrow functions were denied them. If Government had improved their Treasurysbalance it was by what he must term political robbery and violence. This was particu larly the case in the ten per cent, reduction. The natives were uo more satisfied than the Europeans with the present Government. This was shown by the native members unanimously opposing their proposals. The country would not, a» d could not, be governed from Wellington alone. Decentralisation was imperative. It was not his business to propose a policy ; that was the duty of the Government. He was not at all frightened by the threat of dissolution. He would like to see them all sent to the country for it to express its opinion on the question of local government. He did not care for any side issue. He was not called on to declare confidence in the member for Clive, and he was quite prepared to declare that he had no confidence in the member for Selwyn. He strongly coudemned. the delay in bringing down important measures like the Kedtstribution of Seats and .Railway Bills, and wasting time o»er useless matters until it would be too late to deal with real business. No doubt Ministers would endeavor to throw the blame on what they would call a factious Opposition. He would vote for the amendment, and if its effect was an ignominious withdrawal of the Government bills, then it would not have been brought forward in vain, nor would the time have been wasted. If they were strong enough to turn Ministers out, the Opposition were strong enough to perform their legitimate functious, and prevent them doing mischief.

Mr Seddon complained that they had far too much legislation, and too little common sense. He concluded by saying he would vote for the amendment, in order to scud the House as soon as possible to the country.

Mr J. B. Fisher said the issue was one between centralism and decentralisation. He agreed with Sir G. G-rey's proposals to the extent of making magistrates elective. The people would then elect men in whom they had confidence to dispense justice. He criticised and condemned the provisions of the Rating Bill and the Road Construction Bill. The latter was one of the most vicious measures ever submitted to a Parliament. He saw the board was to fix the design of its seals. He would suggest one to the Colonial Treasurer as the board enthroned on high, with the daughters of the horse-leech prostrate around, crying ever " Give ; " and for a motto the words, "Bribery and corruption." He did not believe Government really intended that any Redistribution Bill should pass this session. The question was then put, that the Crown and Native Lands Rating Bill be now read a second time, when the House divided. THE DIVISION. The following is the division list : — Ayes 4.l.—Allwright, Atkinson, Bain, Beetham, Bowen, Brandon, Bryce, Bunny, Colbeck, Dick, Fox, Fulton, Gibbs, Hall, H. Hirst, W. J. Hirst, Hursthouse, Johnston, Kelly, Kennedy, Levin, Mason, McCaughan, Murray, Pitt, Richardson, Rolleston, Russell, Saunders, Seymour, Shanks, Stevens, Studholme, Sutton, Swanson, Trimble, Wakefield, Weston, Whitaker White, Wrighi. Noes, 37.—Andrews, Ballance, Barron, Brown DeLautour, Finn, J. B. Fisher, J. T. Fisher, George, Gisborne, Grey, Hamlin, Harris, Hutchison, Jones, Levistam, Lundon, Macandrew, McDonald, Montgomery, Moss, Ormond, Pyke, Reeees, Reid, Seddon, Sheehan, Shrimski, Speight, Taiaroa, Tawhai, Te Wheoro, Thomson, Tole, Turnbull, Wallis, and Wood.

Paiks. —Ayes : McLean, Oliver, Moorhouse, Collins. .Noes : Stewart, Bastings, Tomoana, Shepherd. Mr Lundon stated that having voted with his party against the bill, he would now, for the benefit of his constituents, rote for the bill. The bill was then read a second time. Major Atkinson moved that it be com mitted to morrow fortnight. Mr DeLautour asked if this was an indication that the bill was to be wi'hdrawn. If so, they should say so at once, and not waste further time. After some further discussion, Major Atkinson said of course the Opposition always knew better how to conduct the Government business than the Government did. A.s long as they were on those benches, however, they intended to conduct their business their own way. The bil was ordered to be commitfed to-morrow fortnight. The House rose at 12 30.