THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Evening Star, Issue 2989, 17 September 1872, Page 2

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

[By Electric Telegraph.]

(From our own Correspondent)

Pept. 17. At a meeting of the Opposition to-day, Mr Fox announced his intended resignation of the leadership of his party. He said be would still give it his active support j and would stick firmly to those who had been so long identified with him. It was unanimously agreed that Mr Fox should continue to lead until the present Ministry is ousted from oliice. The Opposition programme was unanimously agreed to, Mr Vogel is to move a want of confidence motion, to the effect that the country wants more specific statements than those given by Ministers, which are vague and unsatisfactory ; that if the motion be carried the new Ministry should embrace Messrs Vogel, M'Lean, and Hall : the Premiership to be offered to Mr Waterhouse, if he would accept; Mr Heynolds’s resolution re two Provinces, with Mr Macandrew’s amendments, to be withdrawn. The Opposition are united. A Maori member, who was present at the meeting, explained his opinion of Mr Stafford’s views on native affairs. They were only intended, he said, to seduce Maori members ; but he never knew such conduct on the part of the late Government. Mr Stafford’s promises were not likely to be fulfilled. Mr John Martinis at the bar of the House. He states he has withdrawn his application for a portion of Mr Andrews’ run. It has been agreed to discharge him. Mr J. Strange Williams, of Christchurch, is to have Mr Moorhouse’s appointment. Mr Vogel introduced a Municipal Corporation Waterworks Act, the object of which is to save Municipalities applying separately for private Bills. The Bill was read a first time. A large number of petitions were presented to-day, and a great many notices of motion given. The questions include the following Whether the appointment of Crown hands Commissioner is to be continued. If so, at what salary ; and will the office be included in the Ministerial office held by Mr Fitzherbert ? Whether the Agent-General is to be superseded; and whether the Government has or has not considered the propriety «f removing him?