PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 260, 25 October 1865, Page 3

PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT.

(fbom a correspondent) Wellington, Oct. 14. The following is the remainder of our cor respondent's letter at Wellington, which arrived at too late an hour for insertion in our last publication : The House now stands adjourned until the !7th inst, when Mr Stafford will state what success he has had in his attempt to form a Ministry, and will, if definitely accepting office, briefly declare his policy, and probably ask an adjournment of some days to make his arrangements. At present, public opiuion runs strongly in favor of Mr Weld being induced to take the reigns ay;ain, with some slight modification in the Cabinet. Mr Stafford is said to have been unable, up to this time, to induce Mr Crosbie Ward to act with him, and no other southern politician of any standing would do so. Neither the country nor the House would put up with a combination of the extreme Radicals from Otago and Auckland, and should such a Ministry be formed a very brief existence may be predicted for them. Mr Stafford would, of course, endeavor to persuade the House to grant Supply for a limited period, and then dissolve at once—going to the country with a popular cry of "economy" and "reduced taxation." Mr Weld's party are, however, quite determined that until certain measures are passed and a clear line of policy delineated, not one farthing of money shull be voted. So altogether matters are in a nice muddle, and it is by no means easy to predict the end. The session has been very long and wearisome, and members are eager to get home again, so the prospect of another month or six weeks is by no means encouraging, and might even extend to the influence ot votes.

The New Representative Act is in a very awkward position, and it is much to be feared that it wiil not pass the ordeal of both Houses. There was a great fight about giviug two members to the West Coast, and it was only carried by a narrow .najority, Dunedin wants foui members for the city proper and two for the suburbs. This is strongly opposed by a large section of the House, and the Dunedin men, if not succcssfuli make no secret of their intention to throw out the Bill altogether, an I in this th-y wou'd have the support of Auckland, which, gaining no new members, loses the preponderating influence she has hithert? possessed. J. Stuart Grant's recent election will influence the votes very much with regard to Dunedin, as it is justly thought tint such a constituency should not be allowed to have too much weight in the Councils of the colony. The 'Oamaru Times' gives an interesting account of nn amateur concert held for the purpose of increasing the building fund of St Lukes Church there. It seems to have heen a success, and is to be repeated for the benefit of the Mechanics' Institute.