LATEST PARLIAMENTARY NEWS. House of Representatives. (From our Special Reporter.)

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 639, 24 June 1876, Page 2

LATEST PARLIAMENT ARY NEWS. House of Representatives. (From our Special Reporter.)

THE PJAKO SWAMP DEBATK

ESTIMATED LARGE MO JETTY FOR MINISTERS.

GOVERNHKNT BuiLDIXOS. Friday, 0.30 p m.

Sir J Vogol moved last nigh I <% chat the House will not interfere to prevent tho issue in its ordinary course of the Crown Grant for the Piako Swamp." The premier gave a complete history of the Piako land transaction, reading all documents relating thereto. He stated that the Native Mira^ter had conducted 1 the whole transaction, and lie maintained the expediency of the sale to large capitalists owing to the large expense whioh would be cntailel by the Government in draining it. He explained that a title to the land bad been nsked for, and that after Berious delays an order in Council was issued. He disapproved the accusation that -more lard had been sold than originally intended, and showed that the sale was a wise and judicious proceeding. He denounced in vigorous terms the insult which Sir Geo. Giey had passed on the House, tho Ministry, and the country, by daring to evoke the Imperial Government to settle domestic aff iirs of tho Colony. Such conduct, he said, was not to bo tolerated. (Cheers.) Sir George Grey was roahy an object tor commisoration. Sir Julius sat down amid great applajise. Kir George Grey in reply defended his actions, and insinuated that the documents read had been made to order. He referred to other land transactions between the Government and Mr T Kussel, and atiioked l)r Pollen and the Native Minister, whom he described as servants bound to obey the premier. He characterised the sale of tlve Pi'iko Swamp as unlawful, and urged that compensation be given to the Company, and the Swamp be laid out in sinali farms. He tauntei the House with approaching Ministers with sacrifices, offering 1 up a holocaust of 15,000 acres of the people's heritage to their friends in order to keep Ministers in office. Those arlio voted for him would enjoy undying fame in the future history of the Colony, while his opponents Would be covered with obloquy. Mr Stafford next spoke "witberingly of Grey. He said Sir Georgo Grey had not brought a particle of proof that the sale was not beneficial to the Colony. He admired the audacity of Sir Grorge Grey in tauntibg Ministers and the Governor that the latter had signed pa, ei-s in blank. When he (Mr Stafford) was Premier, and Sir Georgo Grey Governor, he, Sir George uand to sign a whole batch of documents and go to Kawau and leavo the Ministry to till t-liom up ns they liked. Sir George when Governor sent emisserios to Sydney to promise Imd in Waikato to people willing to setUo tharo, before c» T en the Government had an acre to givo away, lie t-hoght that ihe Honso had more important matters to discuss than those relative to the Piaku laud sale. Sir George cowered under Mr Stafford's remarks, while the latter was again and again loudly applauded. Mr ' Stout followed, denouncing the Govei'Bme-it ou all points, and moved, as an amendment, " that while the House 1 ivgrets I hat the exigencies of the Colony or Ministry phnuld ever require the sale of a lanre blocks of land as tho Piako Swamp to one individual, without competition, it is yet of opinion that the legality of tho grant may, if any person feel himself aggrieved thereby, be tested bcfo.re the Judicial Tribunals, Sir -Uonald__ McLean said the Government would not accept the amendment. The House then adjourned till to-day, at 7 p.m.

POSTAL 'CONTRACT. Tho Premier slated, in reply to a qxiestion, that the breakdown .of the Forbes Hall contract coat tho Colony .£18,675. Negotiations were pending to recover tho amount.

THE DEBATE. Sir Julius also stated that the Government would most likely press the Piako question to a division to-night. There probably will be from 45 to 56 votes for Government — a sweeping- majority. Tho House resumes at 7.30 this evening.