PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1309, 9 October 1872, Page 2

PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT.

RESIGNATION OF THE STAFFORD MINISTRY.

Wellington, Oct. 8.

Mr Sewell this afternoon announced the resignation of the Ministry, and laid on the table memoranda which had passed between the Governor and Ministers. From these it appeared that Mr Stafford had asked for a dissolution on the grounds that neither party had a working majority. The Governor asked if he were sure the House would grant the necessary supplies. Mr Stafford replied that Ministers had no reason to doubt it. The Governor, in a long and able memorandum, discussed the whole aspect of the crisis, and said that there had been no expression of public opinion throughout the country in favor of either side, the country regarding the differences between the leading public men rather as personal than political, and on matters of detail rather than of principle. There was no great political question to refer to the constituencies, and he was net at all sure that the House would grant supplies. He was not sure either that a new Administration could not be formed on such a wide basis as to command the confidence of the b House and country, and both evidently desired this. Under such circumstances, it would be premature to grant a dissolution, but, if assured of supplies, he might re-consider the matter., Mr Stafford then asked for a positive promise of dissolution if supplies were voted. The Governor refused, to give this, and Ministers, in expression of their dissent from the Governor's views, resigned. 8 p.m. Mr Stafford 1 3 announcement in the House of Representatives was similar to Mr Sewell's in the Council. In reply to a question from Mr Fox, he declined to sly whether lie had advised the Governor to send for anyone. Nothing has transpired since as to who has been sent for.