GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Kumara Times, Issue 2549, 22 August 1884, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[united press association.] HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, August 20. The House resumed at 7.30. Mr J. S. M'Kenzie moved the Ad-dress-in-Reply. W. C. Walker seconded the motion. In supporting the new Government, he took occasion to criticise the late Parliament. It was defective in respect that it had no cohesion. The East and West Railway was specially mentioned as a work which should not be neglected. The West Coast was a district which had only been scratched on the surface, and with proper facilities its development would be great and rapid. For this and other reasons he argued that it was of great importance that works should be gone on with as fast as possible. He reprobated the North and South Islands' dfference, and for that reason he conteuded that the lines of North Island were equally deserving of the immediate attention of the Government. J. W. Thomson said the Ministry was not well assorted. It was a case of extremes meeting—the Premier and Treasurer, the two chief men. Looking back at their speeches, it was evident they differed from each other like light from darkness. One was an old Tory and the other a Radical of Radicals. He could not see how they could agree on a land policy to promote settlement. They also differed on the question of taxation. He contended that the speech from beginning to end made promises to every class in New Zealand, and he hoped their desire would be fulfilled. He was certain that the speech was one which would not meet with acceptance by the House or the colony, and he looked on it as an insult to the intelligence of the House and people. He moved that the Government, as constituted, did not possess the confidence of the House. Hatch seconded, and followed in a similar strain to the last speaker. He eulogised Bryce's native policy as the most successful New Zealand ever had. He complained that the speech was defective in many points of public importance. The amendment of the licensing laws, of corrupt practices, and of consultations were specially mentioned as omissions of the Government. He would support the abolition of the gold duty if ic was desired by the West Coast members.

The question was then put that the amendment stand part of the motion, and the result was: Ayes, 52. Atkinson Levestam •Bruce Locke Bryce Macarthuv Buchanan, W. C. Menteath Buckland, W. F. Mitchelson Cadman, J. Moat Conolly Moss Cowan Newman Dargavillo O'Conov Dodson Ormond Fitzherbert Peacock Fraser Pyke Fulton Reese Gillies Richardson, G. F. Grey Rolleston Grigg Ross Guinness Shepherd Hakuene Smith Hamlin Te Ao Hatch (teller) Thompson, T. Hirst, H. Thomson, J. W. (telHobbs lev) Hursthouso Tole Hurst NY. J. Trimble Johnston, Yv'akeiield Joy co Wilson. Lake Noes, 33. Allwright M'Millan Ballance Montgomery Barron Morris Bevan O'Callaghan Bradshaw Pearson Brown, J. C. Pere Buckland, J. C. Richardson, E. Coster Samuel Duncan Seddon Gore Shrimski Harper Steward, W. J. Holmes Stewart, W. D. Lance Stout Larnach Sutter Mackenzie, M. J. S. Turnbull (teller) Walker (teller) M'Kenzie, J. White, W.

Paiks. For. Against. Beetham Fisher Whyte, J. W. Macandrew Russell Vogel. August 21. The House assembled at 2.30. After some formal business had been transacted, Stout said that iu consequence of the vote come to last ui»ht Government had this morning waited upon the Governor, to whom they had tendered their resignation as a Ministry. Under these circumstances he would not follow the usual course, but ask that the House at its rising adjourn until the usual hour on Tuesday. He had also to inform thein that the Governor had fixed upon to-day to receive the address in reply. Sir George Grey: I would ask the Premier to say if, on tendering his resignation, as he has just stated, he had recommended the Governor to send for anyone. Amidst cries of " Don't answer the question," Stout said that in tendering his resignation, he tendered no advice. J. W. Thomson: I this morning received a communication from the Governor, requesting that I should wait upon him as soon as possible. I waited upon him accordingly, and received from him the information that the Government had tendered its resignation. He asked me whether or not I thought I could form an Administration. I said I thought I could. He then said he would leave the matter in my hands. The Governor was also pleased to say that he would not bind me down to time, but that owing to the state of public business it was most desirable that a new Admin, istration should be formed with but as little delay as possible. The House then adjourned to enable the address in reply to be presented. On resuming, the Speaker reported that the address in reply had been presented to the Governor, who thanked them for their assurances, and said he recognised the importance of having advisers possessing the confidence of the country. He also stated that steps had been taken to form a new Government. The House adjourned at 3.10 until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday.