THE HAWTHORN RAILWAY ACCIDENT.—CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION BY SUFFERERS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3605, 31 January 1883, Page 3

THE HAWTHORN RAILWAY ACCIDENT.—CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION BY SUFFERERS.

POLITICAL CRISIS IN VICTORIA,

MINISTERS ASK FOR AND OBTAIN A DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT WHILE OUT OF SESSION.

GREAT SURPRISE MANIFESTED IN

CONSEQUENCE

SIR JULIUS VOGEL OFFERS TO FLOAT BALANCE OF VICTORIAN LOAN.

THE ENGLISH CRICKETERS CHAL-

LENGE AUSTRALIA

MELBOURNE

January 30

Up to the present time claims amounting to £04 000 ugainst the Government have been- laid by persons who wore injured at the Hawthorn railway accident in December last, and the number of writs served is fifty-one

This day

The greatest surprise was occasioned last night when it -was announced that Sir Bryan O'Loughlan had advised the Governor to grant a dissolution, and that His Excellency had consented to .such a course. An official Gazette confirms the announcement, and states that Ministers presented a memorandum to the Governor representing that their future prospects were not encouraging for the transaction of business in the Assembly after tlic recess. They set forth, firstly, that there exists an evident intention to impede by concerted action any measures presented to Parliament, especially the Landßill; secondly, judging by the past conduct of the Opposition Ministers they foresee a succession of motions aiming at no definite result save the exclusion legitimate business;

thirdly, that some members, of adopting an opeu policy of obstruction, count on defeating fresh legislation, thereby disparaging the Government. Ministers review the proceedings of Parliament before the recess, and show that six motions tantamount .to votes of want of confidence were discussed, the debates occupying twenty-five <lnys ; further, that thirty-six motions for adjournment Avere brought in and were manifestly the outcome of a deliberate intention to obstruct business. In consequence of the facts set forth Ministers have come to the conclusion that it Avould be useless to ask the Assembly to proceed with business. The memorandum concludes by adducing further reasons in support of" the advice that Parliament should be dissolved. The Governor, in replying, says he is of opinion that the Government are entitled to a dissolution, and that he recognises that the Assembly is unlikely to transact any business. _ His Excellency therefore accepts the advice of the Government, which has not been defeated in the Assembly, and is still in the exercise of full responsibility. The Gazette announces that Parliament is prorogued until February 15. The dissolution will take place on Saturday. The writs for the election Avill be issued on February 9th. The nominations are fixed for the loth and the polling day the 22nd. The new Parliament will meet on the 27th February. Mr Berry has issued a circular to his supporters asking them to meet to-day to discuss the political situation. The Argus to-day declares that the Government has obtained a dissolution on a sham issue and under false pretences. It asserts that the real cause of Ministers asking for a dissolution is the certainty that they Avould have to face a A'ote of want of •confidence after the bungling of the loan, and declares that it is unfiir to take the country by surprise. It lias transpired that Sir Julius Vogel has offered to undertake to float the balance of the loan recently applied for in London. The Government, however, declined the offer.