PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 1012, 11 October 1872, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Wellington, Oct. 4. Last night the Speaker read a letter from Mr Harrison stating that, on Monday last, Captain Holt, Mr Bro«--den's Private Secretary, interviewed him, and offered, on behalf of the firm, to enter into an arrangement for the use of his (Mr Harrison's) as a journalist, in furthering, through the Press of the Colony, certain undertakings contemplated by the firm, particularly water supply, on the Goldfields, aud the construction of railways by the company. He was willing to enter in such arrangements, hut Holt then added the condition that he should as member of the House, use his influence to forward the interests of the firm, and that, while not committing the 'lndependent' to support the present 'Government or to vote for the Government himself, be should use his interest to pi-event Mr Yogcl from bringing down any motion likely to involve the defeat of the Government. The whole tenor of the proposal was that the receipt of remuneration from Brogden would involve his services as a member of the House. The inter view commenced by his giving Holt a pledge of secrecy, but on this dishonorable proposal being made he felt it his duty to consult the Speaker as to what he should do. The Speaker advised him that where two men voluntarily entered into an engagement of secrecy, it rested on the basis that the communication was honorable to both parties, and that if one proposed anything disgraceful or dishonorable, the other was fully justified in considering the pledge of secrecy at an end. The Speaker also advised him that his clear duty was to bring the matter before the House. A rather bitter discussion ensued, Mr Stafford asking time to consider what course the Government would ask the House to adopt, and statins his own opinion that nothing could justify a breach of a pledge of secrecy. Messrs Fox, Vogel, Reynolds, aud others defended Mr Harrison's conduct.

Mr Gillies thought the matter should never have been brought before the House.

Sir D. Munro said that if the statement were substantiated, the House had been subjected to one of the greatest indignities possible, The Speaker said Mr Harrison had acted entirely by his advice, and he took the whole responsibility of what had been done in bringing the matter before the House. He also pointed out that Mr Harrisson's written statement and the verbal one made to him in the first instauce, differed in that in the latter Mr Harrison made no mention of any particular Government.

To-day Mr Stafford moved the appointment of a Privilege Committee, consisting of Sir 1). Muuro, Sir J. C. Wilson', Messrs Sheehan, Fox, M'Lean, O'Eorke, Pearce, Eolleston, Andrews, and G. B. Parker, with power to examine witnesses on oatb, to examine into the Harrison and Brogdeu case. Mr Brogden has written to the Speaker denying that Captain Holt had authority to make any proposals to Mr Harrison, and Captain Holt has written denying he ever made such proposals as stated by Mr Harrison. The Auckland University and the Maori Eepresentatiou Bdls, were passed. Mr O'Conor asked the Government whether they were in reseipt of a resolution passed by the Provincial Council of Nelson recommending the adoption of means to secure a cheap and adequate supply of water upon the Charleston Gold fields, and what action the Governrnont contemplate taking in that behalf. I

Mr Reid replied that the resolution! had been referred to the GoldfielU Committee, and were still before th tl body. ' J The Nelson Special Settlements fijfl has passed the Committee. ] THE NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION. 1 Mr Yo a el moved " That this HougJ has no confidence in the Government"! The speech occupied two hours i a | delivery. Mr Vogel was the only! speaker. J I Mr Stafford said the Government would not debate, but take the division at once, and thus Mr Vogel would not have the right of reply. Mr Fox complained of their party being taken by surprise, in the division being pressed without any debate. Mr Vo«el twitted him (Mr Stafford) and he rose to speak, but not till the Speaker had taken the voices, thou -h not declared the result. Mr Vogel said " Too late j " but the Speaker ruled otherwise, and Mr Stafford was proceeding to speak, when the Government whip, Ingles, went to him and said, " It is all right!" .Mr Stafford then said, "As Mr Vogel wished to take a division at once be would not baulk him." ' The division was then taken. Pol the motion, 37 ; against, 34. Ayes,:—J. E. Brown, Studholme Pox, Reynolds, M'Lean, Andrews' Seymour, Luckie, Bathgate, Kelly' Pearce, E. Richardson, Rhodes' Steward, Macandrew, Tairoa, Katene' Bluett, Ormond, D. Parker, Pa rata' O'jNeill, T. L. Shephard, Tribe, Kelly Jackson, Vogel, Reeves, O'Rorke M'Glashan, Carrington, Peacock' Creighton, J. Shepherd, Hunter M'Gilvray, Henderson.

Noes .-—Messrs White, Ingles, J, 0. Brown, Murray, Bunny, Buckland, Williamson, Kolleston, Thomson, Clark Calder, O'Conor, Collins, Gillies Sheehan, Johnston, R. Richardson' Stafford, Bradshaw, Bryce, Wood' Karaitiana, Kenny, Fitzherbert, G. B. Parker, Curtis, Williamson, Wakefield Munro, M'Leod, Brandon, Hallenstein' Reid, Swanson, Sir D. Mnuro. Pairs—Ayes: Harrison, TolmieNoes : Mervyn, Webster. Mr Vogel, in his speech, said that the question of the administration of the West Coast must be dealt with immediately, and pledged himself that if he returned to office he would deem it his duty to deal with the matter this session. He opposed the proposed bridle track from Ahaura to Kaikoura, as being a pure Provincial work, and likely only to benefit a few statiou. holders. A dissolution is talked of, but is not probable. The belief is that man? of the Government supporters wou.il be beaten if a new election took place. Other members will come round.