HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4087, 27 August 1884, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

The House met at 2.30 p.m SUPPLY.

Mr Stout stated if no Ministry were formed iv the meantime ho would move on the following day that interim supplies be granted. THE CRISIS. Mr J. W. Thomson stated that since the Houso.last met he had been in communication with members on both sides of the House, and had received many assurances of support from them. When, however, they came to discuss the political situation he had reason to believe the state of parties was such as would prevent him forming a stable Administration — one capable of carrying out the work of the session. He therefore lost no time in communicating that fact to the Governor, and he hoped the House would give him credit for not having wasted a single moment unnecessarily. Sir George Grey said he had been sent for by the Governor on Friday afternoon, and was asked to undertako the duty of forming an Administration to carry on tho Government of tho country. He replied that bethought the task a most onerous one, and he took some time to consider the matter. He found he was unable to deteimine the point until the Monday morning, and he had asked the Governor to grant him an extension of time for consideration' until that (Tuesday) morning. Accordingly that morning he had had another interview with tho Governor, at which he assured his Excellency that he (Sir George) had done his best to bring about some arrangement by which some person other than himself might be enabled to form a Ministry. He had not succeeded in the task of forming a Ministry himself, and it'was with an expression of deep regret he gave the Governor to understand that fact. He then ventured to suggest that Major Atkinson was the only person who would succeed in forming a stable Government, and ho was much satisfied to find that the very same opinionwas held by the Governor himself. His Excellency had been pleased to authorise him (Sir George) to - make that statement to the House. Major Atkinson said the Governor had been pleased to send for him that morning, and asked him if he thought he (Major Atkinson) could undertake the duty of forming a Ministry. He asked for a shori time to enable him to-consult with his friends. He was not in a position to make any definite .statement to the House, but he was fully. alive to the importance of having the present interruption to the business of the countiy brought to a close at the earliest possible period. He hoped to be in a position on the following day to state something satisfactory. The present was, he thought, a time when he would strongly counsel members to lay minor differences aside, and unite together in bringing the present state of, tilings to a conclusion. He had great hopes of being able to do something satisfactory by ; the following day, but at all events they could rely upon this one thing that he was alive to the fact that what was to be done must be done quickly. Mj.- Seddon said that this was the fourth attempt to form a Ministry, and probably a fifth would be made before they got into working order. On behalf of the younger members it was but right that the true cause of this state of matters should be understood. He blamed Sir George Grey and Mr Montgomery for not having formed a Government wheu the vote of no-confi-dnnce lust session was carried, instead of forcing a dissolution. It was a case of rivalry between these two leaders. When the new Parliament came back the Government was in a decided minority, but instead of resigning as they had done they ought to have done what they now proposed doing —tjiat was to reconstruct. He blamed Sir G. Grey for being the first to unseat the Vogel - Stout Ministry, despite the fact that at least three of- his old colleagues were in that Ministry. More, that fact simply convinced him of the statement that had been already made, that Sir George Grey neither could norwouldwork with those with whom he was leagued. Again, they found that Sir George Grey was thevery first to support and co-oper-ate with Major Atkinson, despite the charges of political corruption Sir George Grey had repeatedly made against Major Atkinson. They found, in fact, Sir George Grey supporting the head and front of the Continuous

Ministry, and now they were told to-day that he'had told the Governor to send for Major Atkinson. Conduct like this was most extraordinary, and altogether inexplicable after what Sir George Grey had said about Major Atkinson. If the vote was to be taken over again they would now find that the Vogel-Stout Administration would have a large majority in their favor ; and if a poll of the people was taken Mr Stout would bo retained as Premier by the voice of an overwhelming majority. In view of what was said about the public finances it was doubly necessary that the Stout Government should have been allowed to retain office. As for Sir Julius Vogel, he (Mr Seddon) thought that Sir Julius's past services should have been better recognised than by putting him off the Treasury benches without being heard. There was no doubt that the policy in the Governor s speech was endorsed; it was only the personnel of the Government that was objected to. He admitted that to some extent the objection was well founded, in that respect, but then they must bear in mind that Sir George Grey was asked to takepartin constructing that Government, and Sir George replied, "No, he would takepartin no Government in which Sir Julius Vogel had a seat." So Sir George had no good right to complain against the Government as constituted. Referring to Mr Thomson, Mr Seddon said he had no doubt that MiThomson had been misled. First he wont to Major Atkinson, and had got the cold shoulder. Then he went to Sir George Grey, and got no countenance there. They had'been told that this was a greatly improved Parliament, but he asked them to say where was the superiority in proceedings like these? Next Sir George Grey was sent for, and that was making the first last, for they would all agree with him in saving that Sir George Grey should have "been sent for first. Sir George applied to Major Atkinson with no better success. Then Sir George went to Mr Stout, and no doubt Mr Stout took the proper course when he also refused. Had Mr Stout done otherwise it would be an act of treachery to have deserted his colleagues. Together they ought to stand or fall, as together they had formed a Ministry. As the next step Sir George Grey called a meeting of members to advise as to what should be done. That was shirking tho responsibility on the part of Sir George Grey. That meeting declined to give any advice, but expressed an opinion that he could coalesce with the Stout-Vogel party. Sir George Grey's advice to the Governor to send for Major Atkinson was an advice which a majority i™ the House would not concur in. It appeared that the Governor was only to know four men, and that tho formation of a Ministry must devolve upon those four. That was absurd. Major Atkinson had to resign only the other day, and he should not have been again named. There was a large majority against the Atkinson Government' being again brought back to office. Seeing that the leaders could not form a Government some of the younger members should have been entrusted with the task. If Major Atkinson could not form a Government he apprehended that they would have a dissolution to face, and in what position would that place them ? Mr Stout said that he did not wish to complicate matters. All he would wish to say was that he regretted they had not observed strict party lines iv following their leaders of late into' the lobby. The House rose at 3.25 till 7.30 p.m. the following day.