ABOLITION CRISIS.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 341, 17 September 1875, Page 2

ABOLITION CRISIS.

SOTEESTMES'T COKCESSIOif. The following are the proposals of the Gfo» vernmeht:—l.._" That the Abolition Bill be passed this" session, -with a provision that it should only take effect on a day to be named, by proclamation of the Governor, but that no such proclamation shall issue should a resolution of either House of the Legislature to the contrary be introduced within one month after the meeting of the next Parliament, and passed before the close cf the session2. •-'That the Provincisl administrations shall continue until the Act is so- proclaimed that appropriation for departmental purposes shall bo continued by the Assembly at present rates." _ 3. "That public works already authorised by Provincial Councils shall be undertaken, but that no Provincial Council shall meet again unless the Act lapse." GOVEBJOIENT CATTCtTS. It is only necessary to telegraph briefly what occurred at the Government caucus yesterday. Firstly, there -were 48 members present, and there -would have been 51 had Messrs. Pyke, Jackson, and Kiclimond been in town. Dr. Pollen stated to the meeting that on Friday, while the House iras sitting, certain irregular overtures towards effecting a compromise were made to the Government by the Opposition. These were not entertained; and in order to have something definite to lay before their snpportera, the Government suggested that the proposals should be reduced to writing. They were not favourably re-, ceived, and were modified. The chief point,. Dr. Pollen further stated, was to the data on which the Act should come into operation. Mr. M'Glashan thought the Governmentwere wrong consenting to adjourn the House until the first clause of the Bill was -passed. I Sir D. M'tean admitted that the first clause ! should have been passed before consenting j to adjourn, but the Government had rejected the first proposals and were not in any way bound by the others. The Goyernment made no advances, and never thought of doing so, but they thought that when there was presented something sufficiently tangible, the consideration of which might lead to the atop--page of an unseemly contest damaging to the credit and dignity of Parliament, it would Xi&ve been charged as obstinacy had the Government refused to consider it. Mr. Stafford said he thought the date of the Bill coming into .operation was not so important as getting it passed. If not passed soon the bill would be attacked in detail: on local grounds, and on small points which might affect certain localities. The great point was to get the Bill through. The proposals as they stood were objectionable, but .might ba satisfactory with some amendments. He would say, pas 3 the Bill, and make its - repeal dependable on the actions of both Houses of Parliament. The present proposal of depending; on cue House was an insult to ihe Legislative Council. He moved —"That this party does not approve of the proposals submitted to it, but will be prepared to consider any other proposals which might submitted." - Dr. Pollen, as Premier, remarked that the Government had gained a knowledge of the opinions of their party, and would be in a position to deal further wibh the Opposition if they desire it, arid report at a further meeting. _ It is doubtful if Sir George Grey; will consent to the operation of the Act being made dependent .on the action of both Houses. The opposition accepted the Government proposals. The compact has yet to be ratified by the Government party. —' Guardian. 3