THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Evening Star, Issue 3425, 12 February 1874, Page 3

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Telegraph.] Wellington, February 11. The House of Representatives met at live o’clock. The Clerk said that in consequence of the absence of the Speaker and Chairman of Committee, it would be necessary, accord* ing to the rules of the House, to adjourn till the following day.—Mr Vogel then made the following statement:—“ The meeting of members of both Houses yesterday arose through the non-appearance of an expected proclamation of prorogation. Some weeks ago it was intended to farther prorogue .Parliament. His hxeelleuey was advised to that effect, and signified hia willingness to comply with the ad vice. It is probable a proclamation of prorogation has been signed, but if ad, it has miscarried. As a few members of Parliament attended yesterday, some memDeis of the Government also attended the meeting which took place. Since then the Attorney-General’s opinion has been taken, and 1 attach it for your information. It is clear the present meetings do not constitute a session, and as soon as the prorogation can be proclaimed it will be. In the meanwhile, if members'in Wellington meet daily, such meetings will not constitute a session, and members will probably, after to-day, not paeptj at least so the Government will advice

them. To-day, they will probably meet, as yesterday they agreed to do so. 'J here seems no reason why you should put yourselves to the trouble of coming to Wellington at present. ” A telegraphic circular of the above was sent by the Government to each member of Parliament not in Wellington. The Attor-ney-General’s opinion says “ I think that . as his Excellency the Governor hasnot met and addressed the two other elements of the General Assembly, neither of those elements can proceed to any business, but adjourn till met by the Governor and addressed by him. Consequently n< ither House can sit. Each may meet, but cannot sit and proceed to business. It is held that a complete Act must be passed, otherwise there is no sesrion. lo constitute an Act, there must be a Bill passed by each House, and assented to by the Governor. Therefore there will be no session within the meaning of the section of the ( onstitutiou Act, and the Governor may safely and properly prorogue to a later date. The time elapsed between the date to which the Assembly was prorogued by the last instrument of prorogation, namely, 10thFeb., and the date of the next instrument of prorogation, will not have teen a Session, although members of each House of Assembly may have met and adjourned.