POLITICAL NEWS.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 701, 18 September 1876, Page 3

POLITICAL NEWS.

(.Per Press Agency,) Wellington, September 16. The origin and present position of the obstruction in business in the House of Representatives are as follows. The report of the disqualification committee was brought up on 12th inst in these terms—“ That the committee are of opinion that the provisions of the Disqualification Act, 1870, have been infringed by the members of the present Ministry,” Sir G. Grey moved—“ That this House proceed with no further business until the report brought up on the 12th inst by the disqualification committee be considered.” The Hon Major Atkinson moved as an amendment—“ That the report of the disqualification committee be taken in consideration forthwith,” The amendment was carried on the voices. Sir G. Grey then moved—“ That this House concurs in the report brought up by the disqualification committee on the 12th inst," to which as an amendment the Hon Major Atkinson moved as follows—“ That it is expedient that a Bill of Indemnity should be forthwith introduced and dealt with as a matter of urgency, to indemnify the several members of the Executive Council appointed by His Excellency the Governor on the Ist day of September instant from the consequences (if any) that may have arisen under The Disqualification Act, 1870, and The Civil List Act, 1863, Amendment Act, 1873, in respect of such appointments.” The subject was debated from about 3 p.m. until midnight, when a division took place, with the result for the amendment of Major Atkinson, 36 against 24, majority 12. The following amendment was then proposed by Mr Ballance —“ That the question be amended by the addition of the following words at the end thereof ‘ and further it having been referred to the disqualification committee No 2 to consider whether any of the provisions of the Disqualification Act, 1870, had been infringed by the hon the Ministry, and the committee having reported that they were of opinion that the provision of the Disqualifi cation Act, 1870, had been infringed by members of the Ministry, this House resolves, that under the special circumstances of the case the seats in this House of the members referred to should not be vacated, and are not vacant.’ ” Some members spoke to this amendment until about half-past one a.m., when Mr J, 0. Brown moved the adjournment of the House The effect of this would have been that the amendment proposed by Major Atkinson, which was agreed to, and ordered to stand part of the question proposed with Mr Ballance’s additions, would have lapsed, and rendered it necessary for all that had been done during the day to be commenced over again. The Government resisted this act, and the Opposition have ever since been talking against time on Mr Brown’s motion for adjournment of the House. Mr Thomson, at 5.30 p.m, was still speaking against time. Government will agree to the following:— That Mr J. C. Brown’s motion for adjournment be withdrawn or negatived ; that Mr Ballance’s amendment be debated on its merits, and disposed of on Monday; that the Indemnification Act pass through all its stages on the same day; an honorable understanding to be come to that all questions will be debated on their merits; and talking against time and other means of creating delay only, not to be made use of; the House to adjourn till 2.30 on Monday. The Government require this to be agreed to by Sir G. Grey, either in writing or by a formal statement in the House. Sir G. Grey objects to both, but asked for an adjournment of the House from one to three this afternoon, to consult his friends. Government refused this as unnecessary, seeing that their supporters alone were keeping a quorum. A caucus of Sir G. Grey’s friends is being now held, but the result is unknown. Several of his friends have left him, being dissatisfied with what is considered by some factious opposition. If no terms are arranged, the House will adjourn at midnight, till Monday morning. There is not the slightest chance of the Government giving in.

The House having no gas last night, Mr J, C. Brown asked why candles were substituted for gas. The information was then elicited that the House was burning 20,000 feet nightly, and that the quantity could not be supplied, so the jets in the Chamber were turned off. A great deal of discussion arose in the way of personal explanation, arising out of trivial interruptions and other points of minor importance. At midnight the House adjourned till ten o’clock on Monday morning.

(From a correspondent of the Press.') The talk against time in the hope of catching a count out of the House is still proceeding day and night, Mr Bees talked for fifteen hours, ending at ten minutes past one on Saturday morning, husky in voice and footsore. He had called for a count of the House about twenty times, but the Government had their sentries on the watch, and their supporters in ambush, and on each occasion a quorum was obtained. Mr Bees managed to maintain a good humor, and while always inviting interruptions affected to complain of them as interfering with the continuity ot thought. During his speech, shortly before midnight, Mr Wason rose to a question of privilege, and said he had been threatened in the precincts of the House by Mr Dignan, who brandished a chair, and had threatened to knock him down. Mr Dignan said he had done so, and explained that Mr Wason had come into a room where members were asleep on sofas, and turned on the gas so high that he thought he meant to cause an alarm of fire. Then he (Mr Dignan) threatened the imaginary incendiary with a chair. Mr Wason explained that he was simply looking for members to make a quorum, and had not turned the gas on extravagantly high. Mr Dignan was ordered to withdraw, and Mr Wason moved a vote of censure, but withdrew it on the suggestion of the Speaker. Mr Thomson (Olutha) followed Mr Bees, and spoke till ten minutes past six. He resumed at ten a.m, and continued till eight in the evening, when Mr DeLatour commenced and spoke till midnight, when Mr O’Rorke left the chair, saying he would resume at ten a.m. on Monday. It is understood that the Opposition will continue their tactics. Mr Murray and Mr Swanson have left them, and Mr Wason is dead against the present procedure. Mr Stout is endeavoring to effect a compromise, but Ministers will concede nothing. One question is the payment of Sir G. Grey’s costs in connection with the writs. Ministers would not object to pay them out of their own pockets, but decline to put them in the Bill. The new Counties Bill will be brought down on Monday, but without the schedule attached.