GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 696, 12 September 1876, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

(Per Press Agency.') HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Monday, September 11. The House met at 7 30. The Speaker intimated he had received the resignation of Sir J. Vogel, and a new writ was ordered to be issued. The Premier then moved the suspension of standing orders, in order to introduce and pass through all its stages the Civil Service Act Amendment Bill. After a good deal of discussion, the motion for the suspension of standing orders was withdrawn, and the second reading of the Bill was made an order of the day for Tuesday. On the motion for going into committee of supply, Mr Murray moved that upon a change of Ministry the members of the new Cabinet should go before their constituents for re-election. After a long discussion this was lost by 26 to 22, and the House went into committee of supply, and, after passing the vote for the Customs Department, progress was reported, and the House adjourned at 2.15 a.m. POLITICAL NEWS: {From a corespondent of the Press.) Wellington, September 11. The ex-Premier is making all preparations for an early start for England. He will probably proceed, for the convenience of his family, by one of the fast line of steamers direct from Melbourne. To-day he intimated his acceptance of the Agency-General, the offer of which had been in his hands for a week. He also sent in his resignation of his seat for Wanganui to the Speaker, and has written a lengthy address to his constituents, a copy of which will be supplied to the Press Agency. The threatened issue of writs against Ministers for penalties under the Disqualification Act, has ended in nothing. Ministers have been expecting them, but up to the present, they have not been served. Sir G. Grey had, however, gone to some trouble to have them prepared, and thus originated the story which expanded a la three black crows. The lawyers differ as to the Solicitor-General's and Mr Travers's reading of the Act A fresh point raised is that, inasmuch as travelling allowances do not exist during the session, therefore the unsalaried Ministers' seats are safe meantime; but to make all secure the Government are expected this evening to movo the 6U3pe"sion of tbe standing orders and to introduce a short Bill indemnifying their past action and removing any irregularity. To this course it is expected that the Opposition will offer every obstacle by talking against time and repeating the scenes of last year on the Abolition Bill; but it is hoped reason will reign over passion. If not the Ministerial supporters are prepared to sacrifice a large amount of Bleep and physical endurance. Members on both sides are being whipped up, with a view to a struggle and a succession of divisions. Another seat besides Wanganui is soon to be vacant—Mr Andrew's seat for Wairarapa. He has been appointed successor to the late Rev Mr Simmons, head master of Nelson College. Ridiculous canards have been abroad as to H.&I.S. Nymphe leaving harbor to-day at the request of the Governor, because Sir G. Grey meant to complain of her presence as a source of coercion. This story is associated with a jocular report sent to Auckland and republished here, that Sir G. Grey had telegraphed to the Imperial Government to stop abolition else there would be bloodshed in Auckland and Otago. (Per Press Agency.) It is understood that writs have been taken out by Sir G. Grey and Mr Rees against each member of the Ministry to enforce the penalty for sitting in the Legislature while disqualified. The writs have not yet been served, but if the Ministerial statement tonight is not satisfactory, they will probably be served to-morrow.