The Government' Caucus.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1702, 2 August 1875, Page 3

The Government' Caucus.

The result of the caucus of Government supporters on Saturday can scarcely be satisfactory to the conveners. Forty-six representatives were present, but amongst them were several who are not supporters of the Government. This Dr. Pollen accounted f. r by stating that he had invited not only tho3e who voted with the Government lafst session but those who during the lecess had expressed opinions favorable to abortion. He had no wish that attendance shouid be taken as a pledge of support, but wished to ascertain the feelings of those present as to the Government proposals. The members present were Messr3 Andrew, Atkinson, Jdallance, Blueti-, Bowen, Bradshaw, Brown, Brycs, Buckland,CarringtoD,Creighton,Cuthbertson, Gibbs, Johnston, T.Kelly, W. Kelly, Luckie, May, McGillivray, McGlashan, Sir I). McLean, G. McLean, Mervyn, Munro, O'Connor, O'Neill, Ormond, C. Parker, G. B. Parker, Pearce, Pyke, Reynolds, Richardson, T. L. Shepherd, Stafford, Steward, Wakefield, Wales, Webb, Williams, Wilson, Wood.

Mr Keader Wood practically opened the proceedings by slating that, although a thorough abolitionist, he would be do party to an illegal and unconstitutional act, and as he believed the Assembly had not power to abolish provinces, he Avould oppose any attempt to do so. After fully explaining his position he retired, and then Messrs. Bradshaw, Creighton, and Brown urged that the bills should not be pressed beyond the second reading this session, plainly intimating they would net support them beyond that stage

Mr. Stafford was enthusiastic in his approval ot tha Government proposals. He urged immediate abolition, and moved a, resolution pledging the meeting to support Ministers to the bitter end.

Messrs. Brown and other mombers repeated their statement that they would do, nothing of the kind, as they thought there should be an appeal to the country. Mr Buckland complained of the clauses practically continuing the compact' of 1856, localising land revenue, and complaining that these were in violation of the late Prtmiei'a pledge that the hill should be one for abolition only, aud not refer to the Laid reveuuo or that of the Gov< i-nmcnfc.

Messrs May and Wiliiama spoke in the same stiain, while Mr Wales would certainly not support tti« bill if the?e clauses were lc-fc out.

Sir Donald McLean explained that thr> details of 15:11s wore nofc cast iron and the Government would be quite willing to enteitain amendments in committee but were quite determined to press the measures.

Mr Gibba spoke doubtfully of going beyond a second leading, aud Mr Oarrington hinted a wish to consult his Provincial Couucil. Messrs T. Kelly, O. Parker, T. K. Shephard and Luckie were red hot for pushing matters to the last, but Mr Johnson spoke rather doubtfully.

Mr ± Jy"ke would not support the final passage of the bills this session.

Mr Pearce after some allusion to his not having voted last session, avowed himself a supporter of the measures this year, and Mr Wakefield spoke.

The end of it was that Mr Stafford's motion was understood to be agreed to, but with mental reservations to suit the consciences of each individual present. The caucus showtdthat in the Government pa<-ty there are irreconcilable differences of opinion on the most important points, not merely of detail but of principle, and that these prevail to an extent which must prove fatal to the Bills getting through this session.