GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1051, 9 November 1877, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Tblegbaph.] [PEB PEES 3 AGENCY.] HOUSE OF KBPBESENTATrV r ES. 'J'HfBSDir, NorasrsES S. The House met at 2.30 p.m. PEOPOSED ADJOtJBNMEKI. Sir G. Obey moved— “ That to-morrow >eing the Prince of Wales’s birthday, the fouse at its rising to-day should adjourn to Vonday.” Major Atkinson hoped the House would iot agree to adjourn, although the Govern* meat might desire to treat the majority o£

the House with contempt and disrespect. In addition to a want of confidence motion, there was a large amount of public and private business of an urgent character, and the House should sit both to-morrow and Saturday. Mr Stout said if Major Atkinson had not obstructed the business the House would have been prorogued by the present time. He supported the adjournment. He spoke at considerable length on the conduct and motives of the Opposition, and especially of Major Atkinson, m bringing down the fresh vote of want of confidence. He did not attribute this to any desire or anxiety for office, but simply that he (Major Atkinson) wanted to deliver the speech which he should have delivered in reply on the last motion. Ho doubt others who had not then spoken wished to do so now; but of course none of them could possibly have the faintest hope of success. Mr Rolleston said a few days ago the House had been asked to adjourn till the privilege question, aa one of the greatest urgency, was settled ; but nothing more was now heard of that question. The House should now learn from Ministers in what position this privilege matter was. Sir G. Grey said he hoped the papers would be presented to the House to night. Mr Rees commented strongly on Mr Rolleston’s inconsistent conduct, and regarding the rumors about his being now willing to become Major Atkinson’s colleague in the Ministry after having so recently denounced that hon. member as unfit to sit on the Ministry. Mr McLean rose to a point of order, suggesting that this sort of talk was not relevant to the question. The Speaker warned the House against degenerating into a state in which it would be impossible to preserve order. Major Atkinson had, however, hurled accusations across the House, and it was only natural that a reply should be provoked. While the Speaker was speaking, Major Atkinson made a remark across the House to Sir G. Grey—“ Ho. 3 motion (the want of confidence motion) would settle it,” and the Speaker characterised this as an exceedingly improper and unparliamentary remark. After some further discussion the Speaker intimated his determination to maintain the dignity of his office, and to exercise the authority he possessed to preserve order. If the House would not support him he would not continue to occupy the chair. Mr Rees then proceeded to speak in support of the adjournment. He declared the Opposition would not he allowed to discuss the want-of-confidence motion this session, and they had no chance of getting back to office. If they chose to delay and impede business they could do so, but get back to office they could not. Mr Thompson supported the adjournment, as did also Mr Barff, Mr Murray, aud Mr Shrimski.

The House divided—Ayes, 3T7 ; Noes, 38. The motion for adjournment was therefore lost. QUESTIONS. In reply to a question from Mr Delautour, Mr Macandbew said that if Wardens were not elected in December for the Kyebum Hundred, the Waste Lands Board of Otago would frame regulations. In reply to Mr Taiaroa, Mr Sheehan said a Bill was then before the Council, which would, if passed, enable Natives to prevent illegal fishing in the Mangahoe inlet. THE NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION, Major Atkinson asked Sir G. Grey what facilities ho proposed to give for the discussion of the no-confidence motion. It was a usual courtesy to give such a motion precedence. Sir G. Geby repeated the statement made yesterday, that the Government did not propose to interrupt the course of ordinary business. TALK AGAINST TIME. Mr Rees moved that the House should on Wednesday go into committee to consider an address to the Governor to place on the estimates the sum of £3OOO to ensure due representation of New Zealand at the Paris exhibition. He spoke for upwards of an hour, and was succeeded by Mr Delautour, who spoke .up to the time of adjournment. Evening Sitting, tmb govbenoe and the ministey. The privilege papers were presented by command. The Governor in his final memo, adheres to his determination to submit the whole oorrespondence and the case to ,the Secretary of State. Major Atkinson has moved to postpone the orders of the day to allow the no-confi-dence motion to come on. The debate on this was interrupted by the privilege papers {being received from the Governor. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Thuesday, Novembee 8. A number of Bills received from the House of Representatives were read a last time. Ten days’ leave of absence was granted to the Hon. Mr Edwards. Several Bills were read a third tune. On the motion of Colonel Whitmoee the Council agreed at its rising to adjourn till Monday next.

the day be suspended to allow his motion to be made. If the House refuses to allow this, or the standing orders prevent it, the Opposition will press the adjournment of the House till to-morrow, and refuse to hear other business, or an adjournment to a later date. If the question is carried, Mr Lusk will rise to make a personal explanation about the line which the House inflicted on him, and they will endeavour to spin this out till evening. The House is full, every member is present, and both sides are determined to fight every inch. Even if the Government are defeated they do not intend resigning, but will insist on a dissolution, even if the House refuses supplies. By directions of the Governor, Sir George Grey has just laid on the table a memo, of the Governor to Ministers enclosing a memo, for the information of the House, and saying that ho would lay the whole question by the next mail before the Secretary of State for the Colony. The memo, is now being read by the clerk. The first memo, from the Governor asks Ministers’ advice on the vote of the House. In the second Ministers state that they must give the matter further consideration. In the third Ministers advise the Governor to say to the House that ho hopes good will result from the vote of the House. In the fourth, the Governor asks Ministers to reconsider their advice, and says the question first arose in confidence with Ministers, and that Ministers are solely responsible for the Governor’s conduct, and should have advised that his action was a breach of privilege. Ministers reply ambiguously again, and the Governor replies that ho has called Mr Wilson to the Council, and does not think good will result from further correspondence on the matter.