GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 753, 22 September 1876, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(Prom our Exchanges.) Wkllinoton, September 12. After long argument on the position of the Ministry, Mr Ilolloston hoped theGovemnulht would see the propriety of placing their resignations in tiro hands of his Excellency, and leave to him to ’determine what should ho done. Mr Reader Wood thought the only way out of the difficulty was to'tfet the matter in the Courts of tho Colony before the House interfered at all; and if it was necessary to do this, the House should ho prorogued. Sir George Grey moved— “ That tho House adjourn, on the ground that tho members of tho Ministry were not qualified to ’transact the business of the country. Wellington - , Sept. 13. Tho House met at 2.30 on Wednesday. The Premier announced that under the circumstances ho had declded'that. in order to surmount the present'diflxculty, it would be better,to rcconstruct'the Ministry, The House then adjourned. Tho House resumed at 7 30. The Premier announced the formation of the new Ministry, and also informed the House that ho himself Bad also resigned, and been re-sworn." To morrow he said he would move forileavo tojjfutrodnce, a Bill of Indemnity.,to condonejany past mistakes. Sir George Grey; said.li.that the mere taking of one oath and divesting oneself of another, did not constitute’them Ministers of that House, and appealed to the Speaker who declined to interfere.

Tho action of the Tshows that the stand the Opposition took'was"right. The policy of the Government will remain unaltered.

The new Ministry are Dr Pollen, Colonial Secretary ; Mr , Richardson, (.Works ; Mr Bowen, Justice ; Mr G.i M'l.ean, Customs ; SirjD. M‘Leah, Native ; Mr Whittaker, Postmaster' General ;_MajorJ Atkinson, Premier hndjLands. September 14. fast nightjwas spout 6nJthe|Maori Representation and Bills, the latter'providing that no member can accept office within twelve months of resigning his seal. Both’bills were carried. To-day the whole of the afternoon was spent over the position of the Ministry.

Mr Wason moved that new afrits be issued for Ministers’ seats, but this was ruled out of order.

Upon the report of the Disqualification Committee being discussed, Mr Pyke in an under-tone said that Sir George Grey was a common informer. These words were taken down, and what is to be done is not yet determined. A vote of censure was lost by three votes. Party feeling runs high. At the evening sitting Mr Stout continued the debate, he deprecating Mr Fyke’s expression. The Premier objected to singling out this instance ; at the same time he asked the lion, member for Dunstau to withdraw his expressions. Mr Swanson insisted upon everyone who transgressed obeying the Speaker’s orders, and Mr Pyke had refused to do that. After further remarks, a motion censuring Mr Pyke was passed. Mr Pyke then re-entered tho Chamber, and when apologising, said he hoped his martyrdom would be'the means of inducing softer language in debate than had prevailed hitherto.

Mr Ballance moved his amendment, which was in substance that none of the Ministerial scats were vacant. Mr Stout tried to move an amendment intercepting this, but was ruled out of order. Mr Rees then took the floor, at three o’clock, and kept up the debate till 7.10 a.m.. when The Speaker said he would resume the chair at 10 a. m. September 15. Mr Rees is still (1.40 p.m.) talking. Tho Opposition refuse to allow tho Rouse to decide on Mr Ballance’s amendment. The Government are determined to fight it out, and the question is now one of pure physical endurance. The debate is not likely to end for a week. At 10 o’clock this morning the House resumed. Mr Rees continued, admittedly speaking against time. Just a sufficient number of members were present to form a quorum. September 16. In the House of Representatives to day, Mr Rees concluded his speech at ten minutes to 1 a.m. Mr Thomson followed, and continued his discourse on things in general, and, at about 10.30, was quoting from Burns, “ A man’s a man fora’ that.” Mr Thomson finished at about a quarter to 8 ; then Mr De Latnur commenced, and continued till 12, when the Speaker adjourned till 10 on Monday. Some desired to sit on Sunday, but the Speaker said he would adjourn until Monda-, unless objection was taken ; and none was taken. • * Mr De Lautour’s speech was one of the ablest of the sossirii^—clear, calm, and cutting. The Ministerialists term it an eloquent speech wasted. he surprafcd his most ultimate fripnds, andiffiept up the attention of a restless House. 's September 18th. At ten o’clock this morning, Mr De Latour resumed his speech,'and continued till shortly after noon, when The question was put “ that tho House do now adjourn.” A large number of the Opposition members entered the Chamber, and it looked ns if a surprise was intended. Sir Robert Douglas got up and made a few remarks and then sat down, when Mr Hialop commenced to speak, and after going on for twenty minutes tho question was again put and a division called for, the adjournment being lost by 34 to 23. Mr Ballance’s amendment was then put.

Mr Murray moved a further amendment, which was practically a vote of censure on Ministers, which was negatived. Mr Bal-

lunco’s amendment was carried by 3S to 24. Major Atkinson brought in the Indemnity Billy and Mr Stout moved all kinds of points of order against it, and was overruled in every instance by the Speaker. Mr Macandrow declared that if it was to bo pushed forward without their having time to read the Bill ho would leave the House. Ho was about doing so, when Major Atkinson said the Government would not go on with it till half-past seven. This was about half-past four, and so no further business could bo gone on with, the Speaker said ho would leave the chair till half-past seven. Mr Stout objected to his doing this, but the Speaker said ho gathered the sense of the House to be in his favor, and'ho did not think it necessary that the Housoshould bo unanimous. Ho hold he had power to leave the chair when ho thought fit, and he intended to do so. Mr X C. Brown got on his legs to speak, but the Speaker .paid no attention to him, and left the chair. Parties are, it seems, getting more excited and bitter than ever. The Indemnity Bill is sure to be fought line by line to-night. 8 p.m. M- Stout is now arguing a point of order against the power of the House to proceed with the Indemnity Bill.