PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 263, 15 April 1875, Page 3

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Wednesday, April 14. The Speaker took the chair at 5 p.m, PAPERS, The Provincial Secretary laid several papers on the table. BOOKS, The Speaker announced that he had received a message from his Honor the Superintending transmitting a copy of the “ New Zealand Handbook,” by the Hon Julius Yogel, and also “ Report on the Durability of New Zealand Timber,” for presentation to the Provincial Council library, MINISTERIAL CRISIS, Mr Montgomery —Sir, I wish to state for the information of the House that at ten o’clock this morning the members of the Executive tendered their resignations to his Honor the Superintendent, in consequence of the vote arrived at by the Council last night. I think it is possible that some other member of the House may have a statement to make, and therefore I shall be prepared to move the adjournment of the House to the usual hour to-morrow, in order that the hon gentleman referred to may have an opportunity of endeavoring to form a Government. Sir Cracroft Wilson— Sir—Before proceeding with the business of the day I feel it is necessary that I should make an explanation as to what has taken place. This day His Honor the Superintendent did me the honor to send me a note requesting me to see him, which I did. He then told me that he had applied to the hon member for Sefton (Mr Mask ell) to form a Ministry, which, however, that gentleman had declined to do. His Honor then asked me if I thought I could undertake the task of forming a Government. I told his Honor that I could not possibly give him an answer until twelve o’clock tomorrow, as it would be necessary for me to communicate with other hon members on the subject. I think therefore it would be as well if the House adjourned now until five p.m. to-morrow, when I shall be prepared to make a further statement.

Mr Montgomery —l will now move, Sir, that the House adjourn. Mr Wynn-Williams— Sir, —Before you put the motion for adjournment I should like to say a few words in explanation. I think it is only fair to those members who are absent, as well as to the public, that we should hear a statement of what has taken place from the gentlemen who have had anything to do with the matter. I may say that I was one of the members of the House sent for by his Honor. This morning his Honor sent for me, and having told me that he had requested the hon member for Sefton to undertake the task of forming a Ministry, but that hon gentleman had declined for reasons of his own, his Honor then asked me if I would form a Government, and 1 had no hesitation in at once answering the question in the negative, and for several reasons. I am always quite ready to take my part and share of the responsibility of serving the public with or without a paid office—[Hear, hear] —but I thought that I was not sufficiently experienced in the details of the matter to enable me to form a Government, more particularly under the present circumstances, with the large questions likely to come before the Council. I felt that it required a gentleman of more experience than myself at the head of the Government to enable matters to be carried out successfully. Another consideration was, that I felt that I could not command such an amount of the confidence of members of this Council as would enable me to form a Government. I therefore informed <Jhe Supeiintendent that I must decline the task.

Mr Maskell— Sir : With regard to this question, I have simply to say that the remarks which have fallen from the hon member for Papanui represent what I shall have to make, and that any observations of mine will simply be an echo of what that hon gentleman has said. His Honor the Superintendent did me the honor this morning to send me a note, requesting me to see him, which I did in his office. He then put the question to me whether I would be willing to endeavor to form a Government. It appeared to me that, as one inexperienced in official life, there was a very great difference in going to other members of the House and asking them to join in forming a Government, and taking a part with others as head of a political department. There seemed to me to be a very great difference when one had to ask other members of the House to join a Government of one’s own, and to lay down a line of policy upon which the government of the province should be conducted. Therefore it was, and feeling that it was not in my power to undertake the task under the present circumstances, 1 declined to do so—the more so as I, in common with other members of the House, know nothing of the financial position of the province. For these reasons I declined to take up the position of forming a Government of my own, I have now stated, I believe, all the facts of the case so far as I have been concerned in the matter.

The House then adjourned until five p.m. this day,