The No-Confidence Motion

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume IV, Issue 1088, 8 September 1904, Page 2

The No-Confidence Motion

Debate Finished Nfl Victory for tiie Government 44 to 26 Hy Tolpfrraph.-Presa Association.

Wklmngtoh, this daf. In tho House yesterday afternoon tho dobato on the land question was resumed by Mr. Colvin, who briefly urged tho appointmenus commissioners of men of integrity, experience, and practical knowledge, mon who would not bo moved by considerations of party, Mr, Paratt said tho Crown tnnnnta know porfeclly well tho conditions upon ,vhicb thoy took up their holdings on lease. No chango should bo made in tho system of tenuro until tlmsu tenants and tlio peoplegenerally Imd n complete understanding of the question. The solution of the Maori land troubles wns work. Let thorn work their lands and remove tho stigma of laziness, which, in tho eyes of many Europeans, was attached to them.

Mr Hall Jones, replying to Mr Hawkins' criticism of tho Government, said that as a mattor of fact the lion, member had no right to bb in tho Houso at all, and if tho proportional syslcm hud been in operation he novor would have been returned, The lion, membor claimod that his return proved tho Pahiatea constituency was in favour ol tho freehold, but it showed no'-h----ing of tho sort, tie did not represent the back blacks setilcrs at all, Mr Hall Jones urged that a lioyal Commission should bo set tip in order to facilitate tho pissing of any land legislation that might- bo brought down.

Mr. liutherford said lie was entirely oppoaoil to tho policy of the" Lund Iteforiners," Ho wns satisfied thai if not at next elections certninly at thoso following tl-e barriers raised by the leaseholders would bo swept away lilto cobwoba. The debato was intorraptod by tho a 30 adjourument. Tbo Honso roatimed at 7.30. Tho speakers in the land debato during tho evening woro Messrs Soddon, Duthio, Harding, Millar, Bollard, Sir W, Steward, and Messrs Boid and Sytnes. Tbo Premier said the House and country hud onou<?h of tho debato, and it was time Parliament wont on with the business. He deprecated tho personalities that had been used, nor could ho understand tho inconsistencies of some of the membors of tlio Oppisiiioo, They sheltered thbrasolvcs under Sir Goorgo Grey's land policy, and yet in bis lifetime thoy had rocoivod him almost with hate. Then thoy had thrown over Atkinson, who wi[i in favour of leasohold, and if ho, Mr. Soddon, bad hud his way he would have brought it in long ago.' He

I repeated that his back was sull to the door —and a pretty bro'id back, too. During the past few yoara proof positive had boon given of tho valuo of the leasehold tenure, am' now they wanted to abolish it. Ho derided tho idea jf freeholders on his sido of tho Houso following tin Opposition. Thoy wcr<! in favour of an inquiry, but wero pushed into opposition bv pressure from tho Opposition press and Farmers' Union local bodios would lose £219,000 under Massov's proposals in rents etc., nnd altogothor would looso half a million. The amendment was an insidious at'.ompt to repcnl tho Lands for Soitlomont Act, Only 9000 tenants would got the benefit of it if adopted. What about tho others vho must continuo as leaseholders? Thoro was a difference in vhluo now compared with tho original valuo ef 4820,000, and who was to get this, Besides, if freehold wero given to ouo section why should it not bo given to others, such as small runholdors and graziui;, homesteads, oto. The mcroaso in valuo was fivo millions, and yot tho proposal was to give up tlioso lands at tho original value. Mr. Massoy was unconsciously working in the intorosls of tho inouoy londors, for his proposal must increase tho rato of intorest. Tho Premier pointed out that (our millions had boon borrowed by tho Stato on the security of these lands, and now thoy wore advised to soil them, Thoro could ho only ono opinion about such a transaction, Thoro might bo some irksomo conditions attached to occupation, and disclosure of theso griovancos before a Commission would benefit the country. In conclusion lie chimed that tho people of tho colony had a right to bo heard, and thoy should go into tho mattor ci>lmly and dispassionatoly. On a division Mr Massey'g amondment was negatived by 44 to 26, THE DIVISION.

The following is the division list:— For Amendment (26) Aitkon Luwry Bedford Loth bridge Bollard Lowis Buchanan Mandor Dmliio Mnssoy Frnacr, W. MoKonzo, T, Harding Moss Hardy Roid Hawkins Rhmlos Hordmau Russell Homos Thomson, J. 0. Kirkbtide Thomson, J, W. Lung Vilo Against Amendment (44) Arnold Kiild IJarbcr Laurouson Baurao Major Bcnnott McGowan Buddo MoKcnzio, R. (liirroll McLaughlan Colvin Millar Davoy Mills Duncan Parata Ell Remington Fiold Ritthorford Fishor Soddon Pl'itman Sidoy Powlds Smith Frasor, A, L, D, Steward Hall Uyuos Hnll-Jonos Ward Hanaa W.'lford Heko Willis ■ Hogg Withoford Houston Witty J Minings Wood Mr Soddou's motion was then carriod by 45 l:i !»6. The House roso at 1,25.