GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 698, 14 September 1876, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

{Per Press Agency.')

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wednesday, September 13. The House met at 2.30. RAILWAY BILL.

Sir G. Grey gave notice that he would ask to introduce a Bill for the construction of a railway from Grahamstown to the Waikato river. DISQUALIFICATION.

The interim report of the disqualification committee was brought up and read. The substance was that inasmuch as there were doubts as to the present position of the Attorney-General, it would be advisable to obtain legislation to remove all doubts pertaining to the matter. The Premier announced that under the circumstances they had decided that, in order to surmount the present difficulty, it would be better to reconstruct the Ministry. Accordingly eight Ministers, other than himself had resigned. Individually he did not come within the Disqualification Act. He now proposed to ask the House to adjourn till 7.30, to enable a new Government to be formed.

The House then adjourned. The House resumed at 7.30. THE NEW MINISTRY.

The Premier announced the formation of the new. Ministry, and also informed the House that he himself had also resigned and been resworn, To-morrow he said he would move for leave to introduce a Bill of indemnity to condone any past mistakes. Sir G. Grey said thit the mere taking of one oath and divesting themselves of another, did not constitute them Ministers of that House, and appealed to the Speaker, who declined to interfere in the matter. The House then went on with the orders of the day, No 1 (Civil Lists Act Amendment Bill) being struck out, though opposed by Sir G. Grey. The other immediate business on tbe paper was not of general interest,

After the Ministerial annonncement last night, a debate was taken on the Law Practitioners Act Amendment Bill, which relates to the case of Mr Smythies. Mr Whitaker opposed the Bill, on the ground that the receipt for the thousand pounds given to Mr Smythies by the House was a receipt in full for all claims against the House or on the Government. This was denied by the supporters of the measure, who held that was no bar to Mr Smythies trying his case again before the courts of the colony. The question was debated warmly, and ultimately the second reading of the Bill was carried by 30 against 28. The second reading of the Maori Representation Act led to a long discussion, introduced by Tairoa. The Bill provides for five Maori representatives for the North Island and two for the South. The Government asked for the withdrawal of the Bill, promising to consider the whole matter during the recess, but it being clear that there were many supporters for the Bill, it was read a second time on the voices. An animated discussion took place on Mr Montgomery's Disqualification Act, which provides against members going into the Assembly merely with the object of securing a billet. On a division, 37 were for the second reading and 15 against; some members of the Ministry voting for the second reading and some against. The House adjourned at 1.10 a.m. POLITICAL NEWS. {From a correspondent of the Press.) Wellington, Sept 18. A meeting was held this morning of members of the House of Representatives who generally support the Government. About forty-six attended. Major Atkinson began by admitting that through inadvertence on his part, nine Ministers had been put in his Ministry when only seven could be so legally. He stated also that three courses were open to escape the difficulty. First, for the whole Government to resign, in which case the constitutional rule probably would necessitate the Governor sending for the Opposition ; second, for all the Ministers save Major Atkinson, who is en all hands admitted not disqualified, to resign, and Major Atkinson to re-construct the Ministry out of them, an Indemnity Bill being brought in ; third, for two Ministers to resign. The first course was considered dangerous, and the third course invidious as regards the two retiring Ministers. Major Atkinson stated that the Government had decided to propose to their party the second course. He also stated, in answer to questions, that the Government would make the Counties Bill as elastic as possible, in order to allay any temporary irritation. The meeting resolved that the second course was the best, and pledged itself to support the Government in carrying the measures necessary to give effect to the policy of the party. (Per Press Agency.) The Hon Major Atkinson will announce the following members of the Ministry, who were sworn in this evening: Hon Major Atkinson—Premier and Treasurer. Hon F. Whitaker—Postmaster General and Telegraph Commissioner. Hon Dr Pollen—Colonial Secretary. Hon Sir Donald McLean—Native Minister. Hon G. McLean—Commissioner of Customs. Hon B. Richardson—Minister of Public Works. Hon O. C. Bowen—Minister of Justice. Messrs Hall and Ormond have retired. It is understood that a majority of the House have agreed to pass an Indemnity Bill. Sir Donald McLean and Hon Dr Pollen have not yet been served with Sir G. Grey's writs. The policy of the Government will remain unaltered.