PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 677, 28 June 1870, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

THE DEBATE ON THE REPLT TO THE ADDRESS. The Post says : —The debate on the reply to his Excellency's speech scarcely deserved the title. It was rather a little bit of pleasant conversation, reminding one somewhat of the interchange of compliments which used to take place in the days of chivalry between knights about to engage in mortal combat —at least he would be a bold man who would venture to predict the probability of things going as smoothly as they have begun. The address, as usual, a mere echo of the speech, was moved by the new member for Omata, Mr F. A. Carrington, the Superintendent of Taranaki. The debate is thus briefly summarised by the Advertiser : The mover dwelt strongly on the advantages of peace, and praised the policy of the Government towards the natives, as calculated to secure that boon. Mr Rich (member for Waikouaiti, Otago) seconded the motion. Immediately upon this,' Mr Stafford rose, and stated that he had no desire to quarrel over the wretched past, but that doing well for the futme must be looked to. He threw some doubt however, upon the alleged special services for which so much praise had been awarded. Mr Fox followed. He thanked the leader of the Opposition for the good feeling he had displayed. He strongly inveighed against the Imperial Government for their bitter desertion of the Colony in the hour of her peril. Mr John Hall used plain language in saying he was not sorry the object of the Commissioners had failed, because ho hoped and believed it would result in the recognition of the independent ground the colonists had taken up.

The question was then put, and the Address virtually carried without amendment; and the House then adjourned. In the "Upper House, on Friday, the only feature of importance was the moving of an address, in echo of the Vice-Regal Speech by the Hon. Dr Grace. He strongly eulogised the appointment of Mr M'Lean as Native and Defence Minister, and attributed much good result, more of which was to accrue to both races, from his influence with the native population. The Hon. Mr Waterhouse seconded the motion. PROCEEDINGS IN THE HOUSE. The proceedings in bot i Houses on Tuesday and Friday were mostly of a formal character. We note a few points of interest. POX AND STAFFOBD. In the debate on the reply to the address, Mr Stafford said that the speech made very special mention of the very valuable services rendered to the colony by Mr Oruiond. Now he did not find that gentleman's name mentioned at all in the papers which had been laid on the table of the House. So far as he was aware, Mr Ormond had done nothing more than send anonymous telegrams to the papers, which was perhaps a very good thing in its way, and calculated to calm the apprehensions of the settlers in other portions of the colony, but he really could not see that this entitled bim to such special mention, amounting in fact to a vote of thanks to that House.

The Hon. Mr Pox in reply said Mr Ormond was not one to sing his own praises through the medium of long despatches, but he (Mr Fox) took this opportunity of stating that the Government were under deep obligations to Mr Ormond for the very valuable services rendered by him. In criticising the speech the Hon. Mr Hall thought that the removal of the troops from New Zealand was the dawn of returning prosperity. (Hear, hear.) He hoped that the Commissioners would be able to obtain from the Home Government something more beneficial to the colony than troops.

THE BALLOT. The Hon. Mr Pox moved for leave to bring in a bill to make provision for the regulation and conduct of elections of members of the House of Representatives, and Superintendents of certain Provinces, and members of Provincial Councils. The hon. gentleman said that the measure would have been passed last session, but for the circumstance of it having been delayed till too late, as it had a majority Gf both Houses in its favor. Hon. members would see that in England they had adopted the vote by ballot, and he thought that it would be a great boon to this young and rising country. Seeing that it was favorably regarded by the branches of the Legislature, the Government have resolved to take the measure in hand this session themselves.

Leave given on the voices, read a first time, ordered to be printed, and ordered to be read a second time on Wednesday. TELEGRAPH FROM PATEA TO TABAKAKI. The hon. Mr J. C. Richmond asked the hon. the Postmaster-General whether it is the intention of the Government to extend the Electric Telegraph from Patea to New Plymouth, and how soon ? The hon. member said that he felt sure the hon. Post-master-General would be glad to answer his question, as it was a thing of great importance that the benefits of telegraphic communication should be extended to New Plymouth. The hon. Mr Vogel said he was very happy to inform the hon. member for Grey and Bell that the wire for the extension of the telegraph was already ordered from England, and the work would be pushed on as fast as possible. —(Hear, hear).

IMPORTATION OF SOUTH SEA ISLANDERS. Mr Swan asked the Premier whether the Government is acquainted with the fact that a cargo of South Sea Islanders has been imported into the Province of Auckland for the working of flax fields in the Province, and this by collusion with the chiefs of the islands where such cargo was obtained, and by dispensing of douceurs to such chiefs ? Also, whether the Government is aware that it is the intention of the parties engaged in the traffic to continue it, by the introduction of further cargoes ? Also, whether the Government is prepared to place the trade in these islands under proper control, both in the interest of the public and the natives themselves; or to bring down a measure to prohibit the traffic in the South Sea Islanders altogether ? Mr Fox said the Government had no information as to how the islanders in question had been obtained; if, however, the Government ascertained there had been or were likely to be such gross abuses as hinted at were likely to occur, the Government, after due consideration with the Auckland members, would take duo steps to remedy the evil, but the Government would act very cautiously in the matter. The Government' had already sought information on the subject from the Superintendent of Auckland.