THE REPRESENTATION BILL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1730, 8 December 1887, Page 3

THE REPRESENTATION BILL

(From odk Correspondent.)

Wellington, December 7. Daring the whole of the morning nu little excitement was shown, and considerable speculation manifested as to tho outcome of the peouliar crisis which has arisen over the defeat of the Government on Mr Dotvnle Stewart's amendment on the Representation Bill. Rumors of all BOiti were flying about, m which it was itftted freely that Government had thoroughly made np their minds to re* ■ign, and that Mr Fergus and tho Premier I bad distinctly intimated that unless the amendment was taken back they would resign. Visions of another month or two's sitting, and no Christmas holidays, loomed up m the mindß of members, and were dlscnsaed, and as a number of members of the Government psrty were reported to have Intimated their determination to adhere to their votes of laet night, the prospects of a change of Government looked very rosy ; Indeed there was considerable aaspenße m the lobbies during the time the Government caucus we a being held, bat this was soon allayed when the members cam? trooping out, and it was ascertained that all differences had been settled. The statement which the Premier htd announced his intention of making m the afternoon, did not, therefore, exolte that curiosity which night have been expected, and when the question of Sir J. Vogel's resolution had been disposed of, the Major rose and stated that the Government had come to the conclusion that they would ask the House to go Into Committee on the Bill, and having dealt with the remaining olanses, to recommit the Bill for the purpose of altering it to its original condition. Sir J. Yogel wishes the Government to delay the committal of the Bill till the evening, to enable the Opposition to consider the position, but tbe Premier stated that m view of the pool tton of obstruction to tbe Bill taken np by Sir Julias on the previous day, he would go straight on with the business The House then went into Committee on the Bill, and the crisis was over for the time being. Wellington, December 8, The whole of yesterday's sitting was occupied over the Representation BUI. The BUI nearly passed at half-paßt three (bis morning. At five minutes past three a motion to re-commit the Bill was carried by 19 to 17, and the Bill waa put In Committee for consideration of clause 2, which had at a previous sitting been amended so as to provide that the Bill should not'oome into force on any diaolutlon taking place before Bth Ootober, 1889. The Premier moved to strike out tb*t amendment, and this waa carried by 29 to 16. Mr Seddon made an effn-t to alter the number of members from 74, as fixed m the sfternoon, but was defeatod on the voices. The Bill waa (hen reported and its third reading set down for next day, *