THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 911, 3 October 1879, Page 2

TH E GENERAL ASS E MBLY.

(Condensed from our contemporaries.) September 24th. Parliament met at two o’clock this afternoon. Hon. members were summoned to the Legislative Council Chamber, where the commission by His Excellency the Governor was read, appointing Sir William Fitzherbert, the Hon. Col. Whitmore, and Sir F. D. Bell commissioners to open Parliament in his (the Governor’s) absence. On returning to the House of Representatives, the proclamation convening Parliament was read and the roll called, the notifications of various members returned produced, and members sworn in. The Pi emit r than moved the election of Mr O’Rorke as Speaker. The Hon. John Hall seconded the motion, which was carried without dissent. The House then adjourned till the following day. September 25th. The House re-assembled at 2 p.m.. and lion, members were summoned to the Upper House, where the Governor delivered his opening speech. On returning, the Premier pave notice that he would ask leave to introduce the Triennial Parliaments Bill, ISTfI ; also a Bill entitled the Alienation of Maori Lands Act, and a Bill to provide for the representation of the people in Parliament; also a Bill to suspend plurality of voting in cases of elections for local governing bodies. Mr Andrews gave notice of the Address in reply. The House then adjourned. September 2Gtli. In reply to Mr Murray, the Premier said he could baldly be expected to say when

the Financial Statement would be brought down, but by it the House would bo informed if it was intended to reimpose the duties on grain, fl >ur, and timber. Mr A. P. Seymour was elected Chairman of Committees, anil a number of ses sional Committees were elected. The Premier then placetl a notice on tin Order Paper for Address in Reply. ami moved that the House adjourn till Tuesday The Hon. John Hall objected, saying the object was of course to postpone the Reply to the Address He begged to inform the Government that when the question was brought forward he would be prepared to m >ve the following addition as an amendment to the Address in Reply :—“"That while this House is prepared to give effect to the liberal measures desired by the conntry, they f«el bound to submit to your Excellency that your Excellency’s Government, as at present constituted, does not possess the confidence of this House ” He added that the Opposition was prepared to proceed with the debate at once, to go through with it, and to coma to a decision as soon as possible. He concluded by seconding the motion for adjournment •Tiie motion was agreed to, and the House re to sit again on Tuesday. . September 30th. In the afternoon, Mr Andrews moved the Address in Reilly, which was seconded by Or Hurst. The House then adjourned, and on resuming in the evening. The Hnu. Mr Hall moved his amendment to the Address, and the debate was still going on up to our last advices. ' The strength of parties is variously given, but there is no doubt that the Opi osition have a majority.