HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Inangahua Times, Volume VII, Issue 1092, 26 May 1882, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, May 25. Weston arrived yesterday, and was sworn in this afternoon. Weston and Petrie met the Ministers of Education and Mines in regard to Greymouth High School, and requirements of the several mining centres. The feature of Tuesday's proceedings in the House was the debate on the Address in Reply. Peacock moved "That a respectful Address be presented to the Governor, thanking him for the speech he had been pleased to deliver to both Houses of Parliament " Peacock announced that while he was prepared to support the present Ministry in many matters, he still reserved to himself the right to criticise their proposals. On resuming his seat, as on rising to address the House, he was greeted with warm cheers from all sides. Rutherford, seconder of the motion also received a very favorable reception, said that the speech having reference to Government proposals with regard to TeWhiti and Tohu, which proposals would meet with the approbation of the House. When Montgomery rose, which he did immediately after the member for Bruce had finished, there was no small amount of cheering from the Opposition benches; he alluded to the recent attempt upon the Queen's life and suggested the forms of the opening paragraph of the Speech from the Throne should be altered. He cursorily glanced at the present prosperous state of the Colony, which prosperity was due to the large and! general causes which had affected the whole of these Colonies. He next alluded to Mr Hall as Premier at his Leeston speech, in which he said Hall had given utterance to ideas on the question of leasing lands very different to those recently submitted in the programme of the present Ministry. As for the proposed measure to render the trial of Te Whiti and Tohu unnecessary he scarcely thought Parliament would agree to the proposal to release the men without trial, as such a course would be a violation ef the principles of British Law and Justice. He directed attention to the omission from the Address of any reference to reform of the other branch of the Legislature, notwithstanding Hall at Leeston had expressed I himself in favor of Legislation with a view to attain that object. On resuming two hours later he concluded his comments by stating that the Opposition were disposed to criticise the action of the Government fully and fairly and expressing a hope that their measures would be placed before the House at the earliest moment. No factious Opposition would be offered. He said that when the proper time arrived for a fair trial of Btrenafli. due warning would be afforded. " *rhe OoloniaT Treasurer was the next to speak. He assumed at once that Montgomery was the leader of the Opposition, and said that if that hon. gentleman's re marks include what was considered " Head and front of Ministers offending," he thought Government might certainly 'be congratulated. ' o doubt Hall would be able to explain his Leeston utterances. ! He (Atkinson) promised that Bills should be brought down without unnecessary delay, and that the House should be kept with plenty of business in hand. When Government had tried conclusions with their opponents the business of the country, he added, would be proceeded with quite fast enough. Delatour understood Mr Montgomery instead of impeaching the Government on numerous matters in connection with which they might have been impeached, had simply been CTa&fuUy and g°°d humoredly opening tholjalL Holmes, Tawhaio ana Grey also spoke, the latter accusing the Government of violating the secresy of the Telegraph Department, and making use of the telegrams of their predecessors. Joice moved as an amendment to the Address that Government be informed that the House desires that the Premier should be a member of the representative branch of the Legislature. This was seconded by Feldwiok, and on being put was lost, and the motion was carried, and the House adjourned.