GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 752, 15 September 1876, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(From, our Exchanges.) Wellington-, September 5. After the Ministerial Statement, the question of the position of the Executive was Rees and Stout contending that the provisions of the Attorney-General Act prevented Mr Whitaker from keeping his seat in the House. To-day the Government agreed to appoint a Committee to consider whether the provisions of the Disqualification Act had been infringed. In the House to-day the appointment 6f Sir Julius as Agent-General was considered. Mr Andrew moved, “That the House does not approve of Sir Julius Vogel being Agent General.” Mr Stout moved the previous question. Sir Donald M‘Lean paid a high tribute to Sir Julius Vogel’s general ability and personal character, and said so conscientiously, as one of his oldest colleagues The Colony would yet admit he was one of, if not their greatest statesman.

Mr Reader Wood took up the same line of argument as Mr Andrew. He delivered a withering denunciation of Sir Julius Vogel being appointed to the office. He denied that he had a single statesmanlike quality, or ever did any good tor the Colony. He gave them nothing but taxation. He demoralised the House and the Colony, and after leading them bit by hit into the swamp, bksely abandoned them. He accused Him of being a man with whom, in transacting business, everything should he taken in.writihg; and in support of the statement’ referred at considerable length to the correspondence between Sir Julius Vogel, the Agent-General, and Crown Agents, &e. He had also been accused in 1871, by Mr Stafford, of stating what was false. That statement was still in Hansard.

A division was taken on the original motion,—viz., That the House does not approve of Sir Julius Vogel being AgentGeneral,” —which was lost by 41 to 24This was equivalent to carrying the previous question. Mr Whitaker introduces to-morrow a bill to repeal the Attorney-General’s Act. September 6th.

Sir George Grey gave notice to move for a select committee to inquire into the cost of Sir Julius Vogel’s two missions to England.

In reply to Mr j. C Brown, Mr Richardson said he expected that in about four months the railway to Lawrence would be open for traffic. Mr Murray gave notice to move that no member of the House he made a member of the Executive without going for reelection.

Mr Wakefield moved, that in the opinion of the House, the position of the Govern ment whip is incompatible with that of chairman of Public Petitions Committee. He disclaimed any personal or political feeling in the matter, but merely made the motion because there had been considerable dissatisfaction as to the incompatibility of the two positions. Mr Macandrew seconded it for similar reasons.

After some discussion as to the incompatibility of the two positions, and requests from several members that the question hoiild be Withdrawn,

The motion was accordingly withdrawn,

The Law Practitioner’s Act Amendment Bill, having special reference to the petition of Mr Smythiea, was Introduced. The Attorney-General considered that Smythios having given a receipt in full of all demands in consideration-of having received LI,OOO from the Colony he was not entitled to any further consideration from the House. The debate was adjourned till Wednesday. Mr Smy thies’ receipts are to be printed and distributed. The Goldfields Act Amendnleht Bill was read a sochnd time with the understanding that the discussion thereon comes Off on the motion for its committal.

September 7 th. The Solicitor-General aV.d Mr Travers have both advised the Committee of the Legislative Council that Mr Hall and Mr Gfiq. M'Lean are both disqualified. This confirms Messrs Rees and Stout’s opinions the illegal constitution of the Ministry. The Lawrence Athenaeum reserve, and the Cromwell Racecourse reserve Bills passed the Lower House to-night. The Queenstown Commonage Bill was read a second time. The Hon. John Hall was served with a writ for L2OO, for holding office for two days. Sir George Grey brings down a Permissive Abolition Bill. September Bfch. The Committee of the Legislative Council reported that the members of the Ministry are disqualified. Mr Whitaker promised to announce to the House on Monday the course the Ministry would adopt. An Indemnity Bill will probably be introduced, but the House will not likely sanction the increase of Ministers. It is understood that in consequence of Abolition more Ministers must be appointed.

The Waste Lands Administration Bill was discussed to-day. Mr De Lautor moved that the second reading be postponed for six months, because of the provisions relating to Canterbury runs.

The motions for Select Committees to fix the boundaries of counties in each island were withdrawn at the request of Mr Richardson, who said the Government would define the boundaries of the counties themselves, and be responsible for them. The Local Option Bill was thrown out by 24 to 12, the pairs being 8, and the Waste Land Bill read a second time by 41 to 12, the pairs being 9. The Council have struck from the Rating Bill the exemption of church, etc., and mining property.

Sir G. Grey has issued writs against Min. isters, and against Sir J. Vogel, for L 3,500, and threatens to demand the recall of the Governor. Mr Bastings has given notice for granting free passes on railways to members. The prominent opponents to the Local Option Bill were Messrs Pyke and Harper. September 9th. Things are getting more and more complicated. No one can say what the end will he., Sir George Grey has taken ont Supreme Court writs for the full amount of the penalty which he says Ministers have incurred under the Disqualification Act. There is one against each of the Ministers, and also one against Sir Julius Vogel for L 3500. What this latter is for no one seems quite to know. One party says it is for money illegally drawn in England as travelling allowance, in excess of the amount allowed by the Civil List Act; and the other, that it is for penalties under the Disqualification Act, incurred by him owing to his having become disqualified by accepting these extra travelling allowances. Mr Rees is undeistood to be acting as Sir G. Grey’s legal adviser. Ministers have been in cabinet all day, and their supporters pooh pooh the whole thing and say if any technical informality has occurred, it can easily be put right by an Act having retrospective effect. Any such Act would, however, he resisted to the utmost, not only by the extreme Opposition, bnt by a large number of the moderate members of the House, who say it Ministers are ■ disqualified, the law must take its course.

Sir George Grey’s action in the matter is, however, generally condemned. Whatever the upshot may he it is certain the Ministry has lost all prestige, and Mr Whitaker’s reputation has received a fatal blow. A great deal of time is sure to bo lost over the affair in the House, and even if Ministers keep their seats they are not now at all likely to carry their measures. The, prospect of Abolition being absolutely carried out this year seems very fa : nt now, and a good many people are speculating on the prospect of things remaining 'as they are till next session, the Provincial Councils being allowed to meet again. The position altogether is a most curious one, and no one sees the end. September 11th.

Sir Julius Vogel has issued a farewell address to his Wanganui constituents. It is pretty much a repetition of what he stated in the House.

It seems that Sir George Grey’s writs, although issued on Saturday, are not yet served, the lawyers having some doubts as to the disqualification of members of the Executive, as no travelling allowances are payable while Parliament is s : tting. These doubts, however, have been got over apparently, as lire writs were absolutely served this afternoon. That against Dr Pollen is for a very large sum.

Ministers intend moving to-night for a suspension of Standing Orders, to enable them to introduce and pass a Bill of Indemnity, which will also legalise nine members of the Executive. The Bill will be resisted to the utmost by the Opposition, and a very bitter debate may be expected. It is by no means certain that two thirds will bo found willing to suspend the Standing Orders.

The Argus to-night says that all hopes of getting the Counties Bill through this session must now be regarded as lost, and it severely blames the Government for their bid fhanageihont'.

Sir Julius Vogel to-day accepted the Agent-Generalship and resigned hlk seat' for Wanganui. ,It is understood that he goes home almost immediately; via Melbourne. Mr John Dutliie, a Wanganui merchant, will probably stand for.thc vacant seat, in the Ministerial interest.

Sir Julius Vogel is said to have sent a long farewell address to his constituents. Mr Andrew’s "acceptance of the headmastership of Nelson College wijl Cause a vacancy in.the representation of Wairarapa, but probably not immediately. Mr 0. R. Carter will likely get'the seat when vacant.

There is some hitch about the writs. Grey says ho has ordered them to be'served, and the Court officers say that they have been served; but Ministers deny having received them, and say Grey is frightened to proceed for fear of costs.