PARLIAMENTARY

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 536, 2 September 1881, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY

, IT.OM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, September 1

The " stonewall " tactics commenced on Friday, and since then no progress has been made with the Representation Bill. The sittings.on Friday, Mouday, and Tues-, day each terminated shortly after midnight as the motion was tho " House do now adjourn." After half past twelve in the morning no fresh business can be, initiated, and therefore the stonewallers work was done for the day, but yester" clay the discussion on the Bill was taken in committee, and the motion was immediately "to report progress,' and on the motion the discussion was continued all night and up till halfpast five o'clock this afternoon. The stonewalling will commence again at halfpast seven this evening, and will be continued night and day until one side gives way. The obstructionists think they will tire out those in favor of the Bill, and on the other hand the Canterbury and Otago members state they will never give in All they want is representation according to population in each Provincial District, and as this question has assumedamagni- ;- tude greater than any public question since Abolition, members feel very strongly, As yet thoro has been no evidence of irritation or ill-feeling, but as time goes on and members feel the continued stain of nii<ht and day attention to the House, the probability is that kindlyfeeling will give place to the opposite. Tbe peculiarity of the situation is that many members who wore a month ago strongly opposed to the Government are now supporting them for the sake of the Bill. All the Canterbury and Otago men, are in favor of it. None of them would do anything to unseat tho Ministry while this Bill is before the House. On the other hand, tbe Nelson members who were out and out supporters of the Government a month ago are now deadly opponents, and would support a vote of Want of Confidence if brought forward to-morrow. The nninber in favor of tbe Bill is about 50 against 32, so that there is a clear majority of 20. No one can say how long the present dead-locK will lastA few clays may decide, or a fortnight. The Akaroa High School Bill was thrown out by the Legislative Council to- *• day on the second reading.