IN THE LOBBIES.: ]BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.]

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1244, 19 June 1880, Page 2

IN THE LOBBIES.: ]BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.]

[FROM OUR OWN 1 CORUESPOXDENT ] Wellington, Last Night, 11.30 p.m. The division on what was really a trial of strength cime on last night, on the question us te whether Grey should be allowed to withdraw his Bill to abolish the Property Tax. Many were abhent, having paired. The position of the Hout>e, as shown hy the voting and pairing, is : Ministry, 50 ; Opposition, 37 ; the Speaker making 88. It was a regular sell tor all hands, as a vote was neither counted or expected by cither hide. The debate now proceeding is fearfully dull, and the speeches hitheifo, with the exception of (Nicy's and Hall's, below mcdiociity. One of the most witty members of the House, in allnding to the very inferior charai ter of the speeches, said to me. "Did you ever hear snch a debate on the finance of a colony owing twentyseven millions of money, and h iving a delicit on the annual revenue of a million. It reminds trie of a ship that i-> sinking and the crew go and carouse Avith the captain." There certiinly was a levity and want of earnestness about the deb ite opened by Sir Geoige Grey and the subsequent speaker, which was very painful under the cireums anoes. The loan papers show exclusively that if the loan had not been raided for a week later than it was, the colony mv.st have suspended payment. MesMs Ballauco, Mot.*, and Trimble, who have spoken to-d;iy, have redeemed the character of the deb.ite. Mr Ballance speaking will now give the Government a majority the same as List time. Gieat amusement w.ib cuised to-day, when 131 persons, mostly of the fern de periu<\sion, were summoned for polling liquor without a licence, at old Johnny Martin, M.L.C., and a gallant Colonel, a Southern legislator, each t.ikmg a seat on the Bench during the trial. Gay old dogs! They are bMh over 70. After this debite is over we shall get on rapidly with business, and be homo, I hope and believe, by the middle of August, at latest. Ballance has ju&t concluded, after speaking four houis and 'tluee-quarteis. He put his foot into it by calling the English laborers, of whom we have lately imported 1-30.000, "the mo-t degraded peasantry in the world." I wonder how the working men will like that? Reader Wood is now talking splendidly, depit cuiting the considerations* of the finances from a paity point of view. The House i& crowded in all parts.