GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 740, 23 June 1876, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

—o—(Condensed from Dunedin dailies.) Wellington, June 16. The first session of the sixth Parliament of New Zealand was this day opened by the Governor. Sir R. Douglas gave notice that he would move the address in reply. Mr Bastings second it. Sir George Grey asked that the standing orders be suspended, in order that the following notice of motion be given, namely, that the Government be requested not to sanction the sale of any lands, or take any stejs whatever under orders in Council, 12'h. June, 1876, published in the Gazette, making regulations for the sale of certain lands known as Piako Swamp, until the House has had the opportunity, of discussing said said orders in Council. It was not his intention to discuss the legality or illegality of the sale ; he merely wished to prevent a great public Wrong being done beyond repair. _ Mr Stout seconded the motion for suspension. After some discussion, The motion was put and carried by 37 against 21. Sir G. Grey then moved the resolution itself. Mr Stout seconded the motion. A division was called for, the result being 29 for motion, 29 against. The Speaker gave his casting vote with the Noes, in order to afford opportunity for discussion.

The House adjourned at 5.30 to 7.30. At the evening sitting Sir J. Vogel said that the Government were taken by surprise, and he was not personally acquainted with the facts, no notice having been given of an intention to raise the question. Ho gave a positive assurance that there was no need for hasty action. No Government canid have done more under the circumstances. The action taken by the House was wholly without precedent. Wellington, June 17th (forenoon).

At the conclusion of the Premier’s speech last night, the original discussion was renewed on the motion for adjournment— Messrs Rolleston, Stout, Vogel, Grey, Rees, M'Lean, and Atkinson speaking. Mr Atkinson said the object of the Opposition was to drive the Government out of office, or suffer them tu retain it branded with dishonor. The House adjourned to Wednesday evening. The supporters of the Government, at a meeting held this afternoon, urgently requested Ministers not to resign office. 7.30 p.m. A meeting of Ministerial supporters was held to-day. Ministers were not present. 26 members were present, and 10 others were accounted for in addition to Ministers. After some discussion as to what had taken place yesterday, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Andrew, that Ministers ha requested not to resign until they had met their supporters. An amendment w moved by Mr Stevens, to the effect that the present issue was altogether too insignificant to determine the fate of a Ministry, and that Ministers should at once proceed to carry out their Abolition policy by introducing a short Bill to bring the Abolition of Provinces Act into immediate operation.' The inexpediency of any such course was forcibly pointed out, and the amendment was withdrawn. A very strong feeling was expressed by a number of members thac resignation was the most expedient and only dignified proceedingundertheoircumstanees, although it would be desirable to have a meeting of the party in the first instance. Otheis thought the matter too paltry to make a Ministerial question of it. The decision arrived at by the meeting having been communicated to the Government, Ministers promised to consider the matter. It is probable that they may meet their supporters before coming to any definite decision on the question, hut it is known that Ministers themselves are anxious to advise His Excellency to send for Sir George Grey, and their resignation is generally regarded as certain. When the division took place last night, several of Mr Stafford’s personal adherents left the House to avoid voting, and it is ru. monred that efforts to form a third party, with Mr Stafford as loader, arc being made, in the hopes of repeating the history of 1865. Mr Steven’s amendment at the meeting to-day is regarded as tending that way. No circulars for any official caucus have yet been issued, and to-day Ministers have been making the usual preparations preparatory to retirement. Nothing definite is likely to transpire before Tuesday. It is doubtful whether Sir G. Grey will even attempt to form a Government if sent for.

Wellington, Juno 19. j After the meeting on Saturday, the] Government notified to their supporters,] who had requested them not to resign, that] business could not be gone on with by them! until the House had decided that there waa no reason why a Grown grant for the PiakoJ Swamp should not bo issued. At the mcctj to-day, thirty-nine members were present,!

and unanimously adopted the resolution that tho Government should carry out tho Piako sale arrangement by tho issue of a Crown grant in due course. Eleven others who were not present promised to support the resolution, and in all probability either two or three others will do so. The Government will, on the meeting of tho House on Wednesday, move a resolution to tho above effect, and, if carried, will remain in office. A meeting of Opposition members was held this afternoon to discuss tho present position of affairs. Tho party was not fully represented, only comparatively few having been requested to attend. It was decided that none of the land transactions, or similar ones, would bo made party questions.