PARLIAMENT. [BY TELEGRAPH.-PRESS ASSOCIATION.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1862, 12 June 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENT. [BY TELEGRAPH.-PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

- , TUESDAY. - In reply to Sir G. Whitmore, Mr Oliver said it had been found impossible to prepare a return showing nil expenditure froni loans in the different counties. Mr Wilson gave notice to amend the Bankruptcy Act, so that all bankrupts whose debts were under £20 might be dealt with lumnifirily. Mr Waterhouse brought in a bill to amend the law relating to the guardainship and cJuntody of children, which was read a first time. Sir G. Whitmoro moved for all the papers connected with the cases of Ropata and Te Kooti, strongly condemning the action taken in- reducing Ropata's pension. Mr Oliver defended the action of the Government, and Mr Waterhouse, Colonel Brett and Captain Fraser condemned it, and hoped Ropata would be restored to his former position. The motion was carried. Mr Hart's Criminal Code Bill and Mr Oliver's Land Transfer Registration Bills j were read a second time.

WEDNESDAY. The Council met at 2.30, »nd on Mr Oliver's motion at once adjourned, pending the result of the no-confidence debM;e in the House of Representatives.

WEDNESDAY. . The Hou.se met at 2.30. Mr Sutton gave notice that he would move, in the event of Mr Steward's amendment to the Address-in-Reply being carried, " That as it is moat unlikely that any Government may be formed that will sooure the confidence of a majority of the House aB at present constituted, the Governor be requested to send down an estimate providing for interim supplies, »ud that he dissolve t le Parliament with a view to a new election.

THK N6-CONFIDENCE MOTION. The debato on the no-confidence motion was resumed by Mr Shrimski. He charged Government with haying no policy to disclose, and with having passed the Roads and Bridges Construction Act, well knowing they could not raise the money provided for under the Act. Government had favoured the Bank of New Zealand by giving it a large sum on fixed deposit out of the insurance fund at 5 per cent., whereas they charged the local bodies, 6 per cent, on money required for permanent works. Mr I vess. contended that the xeduction proposed to be made this year could have been made much better last year, and he reminded them that Government frustrated an attempt of that kind on the part of the Opposition. Mr W. Thompson twittei Government with its seeming determination not to say a word in reply to the grave charges preferred against them, and blamed them for not making any proposal for remedying the deprtssioh which they refcognis'ed to exist/ Mr Smitli said it was the so-called financial abilities of the Treasurer that got the Government into office, but now they had wakened up to the fact that these abilities were a mere delusion, and that ' despite the fact of increased taxation, their finances had been allowed to drift into utter confusion. The House adjourned at 5.30, The House resumed >t 7,30, Mr Hursthouse denied that any sufficient, indictment had been made oit against the internment. v The tpeech was, he thought, an exceptionally good one. Before turning out the present Government they should know who were to take their places. He would, not v trust p either Otago or, Canterbury. " All Mr^Steward wanted was .to get rid of the Government and go to the 'country, >^» r |*a admitted , the other side, douW not form * Government Jfw himself

he did not believe it. If the Opposition I would sink private differences they could form a Ministry. Sir G. Grey and Mr Montgomery appeared afraid of each other. He criticised the lato Hppeches of both. He strongly opposed separation. He objected to the expense of a double session this year. It was a wickpd waste of time and money, and a dissolution now was not likely to alter or affect the position of parties. At the sumo time, there were many things the present Government had done with which he did not agree. Mr Moss objected to such a motion being brought forward by a member like Mr Steward. It deprived consistent oppositionists like himself of any flag to fight under 1 . He could not support such a proceeding. The present was a melancholy exhibition. Such a dissolution as was asked for would be a j palpable abuse, involving, as it would, a double honorarium. The honorarium ( should be made annual and not sessional before any dissolution took place. The . raising of the Canterbury railway rates was really at the bottom of the present combination against Ministers. No more righteous increase was ever made. Mr Connolly had never known a motion of want-of-confidonce introduced in so extraordinary a, manner as the present one. He blamed Mr Montgomery for putting Mr Steward forward to do what he was I afraid to do himself. If it had not been for the Canterbury railway tariff question the Opposition would have had no chance of carrying such a motion. The same selfish and cowardly constituents who howled down j thePremieratChi istchurch might now drive their members to vote against the Government on this question. Those members would ere long regret their desertion of their {tarty. There were other members who, ike rat?, showed their readiness to desert what was supposed to bo a sinking ship, j He defended the Ministry from a number of accusations made against them. If the I Government were turned out it would b; because they had not yielded to the selfish demand of one section of the community, not because they had failed to do their duty to the colony. Mr Wakefield complimented Dr Newman on the moving of the reply to the Speech, which was one of the worst Governors' speeches he had ever known. It was a complete record of what was not intended to be done during the session. He criticised the various clauses «f the Speech, and emphatically condemned the perpetual leasing system. He eulogised Mr Bryce's native administration. He altogether opposed the Ministerial policy on the question of federation, [Left sitting.!