(Continued from our Third Page.) posed implicit confidence in him. Sir George himself had proved a failure, and Bteod at present in a most humiliating' position. After two years' administration, attended by exceptionally favourable and inviting circumstances, what did they find ? He was cast aside, not by his political opponents, but by his own friends, who now protested that it was absolutely necessary, for tho welfare of Liberalism, that ho should stand aside, or, as ho had put it to himself, bo an outcast. Mr Hall said that what was wanted and what was aimed at in tho lato want-of-confidence motion was tho formation of a #j* strong Government, and ho had hoped members would havo lisen above mere party feoling, and given way for the good of tho colony. They wore on their side a compact body—ono in spirit, mind, and action—whereas the Opposition was composed of two, or rathor three, sections. He could not see any matoriai difference between themselves and tho Opposition so far as concerned political principles, and he was therefore the more sorry that tho opportunity for making a really strong Government should have been lost. Sir Georgo Groy argued that tho debate should be adjourned until supplies were voted. A messago from tho Governor, advising them to proceed with supplies, had been suppressed by the Government. Ho went on to say that he thought this was a timo when the Crown ought to interfere. Great distress was occasioned by tho Government acting in tho way it had done about supplies. In these circumstances it was tho duty of tho Crown to step in and put an end to such ; a state of matters. STONEWALLING. On tho motion for the second reading of tho Triennial Parliaments Bill, Mr Macandrew moved tho previous question. Mr Hall pointed out that tho bill proposod that Triennial Parliaments should como into force at once, whereas tho bill of the late Government proposed to delay its coming into operation until the close of the present Parliament. Ho said nothing would be gained by this obstruction. Tho Government and its supporters were determined that its measures should bo placed before tho country, and, having done so they would be prepared to go on with the other business. Mr Reader Wood said thoy desired tho bill passed; but, having been told that supplies were required, they wanted the supplies to be voted before anything else done.
Major Atkinson said that it was a mere pretence. They were not prepared to grant supplies. The Government, however, were determined not to have the business trifled with any longer. The fact was that road boards, &c, were calling out for subsidies. Now they would see how their constituents would look at their conduct. They would perhaps have an opportunity for testing that point face to face with their constituents. If supplies were not passed without delay, he couid just say that there was very groat danger of the bill not been passed at all. If it were thrown out as proposed, it could not be got again on the order paper this session. He therefore warned members that they were going into the lobby with an Opposition who were doing their best to defeat the measure altogether. Mr Shcehan Baid they possessed a majority in the other Bouse If they stood firm these measures would pass; if they did not, thon these measures would fail. Tho threat about a dissolution ho scouted. They had just come back from the country. Such a thing dare not take place. The delay was occasioned by persons pretending to lead the House who could not pass a single measure. They were keeping those who could pass them back from doing so. Mr McLean pointed to the late Government as one of tho most incompetent that had ever sat on tho Treasury benches. They had brought the finance of the couutry into a deplorable state. They had committed tho country to the expenditure of ono-half of a £5,000,000 loan which had not been negotiated, and the negotiation of which he feared was in the opposite of a promising state. Mr Tomoana said: I only wish to say a few words, I listened attentively to tho statement made by the Native Minister, After I hoard that statement I becamo vciy dark with myself. I failed to gather anything from it that would benefit the Maori people. It is true that I said, when I voted with Mr Hall, that I would givo my vote as a chief. What I have to say now is, that the Government must look for some one :w. else to fill my place on theso benches. I have voted as a chief, and I leave those benches now as a chief, as I am not satisfied with the policy of the Ministry, or that it will be any benefit to the Maori people. Tho hon. member then left the Government benches, and crossed tho House, bowing to tke SpcaW as ho did so. Several members spoko on either side, and Mr Hall said that tho division would not bo accepted as a voto of no-confi-dence. Mr Murray stated that lie would decline to recognise the voto as one of want-of-confidenco, and would voto in the hopo of shelving tho bill to which ho was opposed. Tho adjournment of tho debate was moved by tho Minister for Public Works, on which the House divided. Ayes, 31; noes, 37. The previous question on the Triennial Parliaments Bill was then carried on the voices. At 1.15 a.m. the Houso adjourned.
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Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1144, 25 October 1879, Page 1 (Supplement)
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931Untitled Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1144, 25 October 1879, Page 1 (Supplement)
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