PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 216, 22 August 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Per Press Association.) THURSDAY, AUGUST 21. Legislative Council. The Legislative Council met at half-past 2. Answers to Questions. In answer to Mr. Buckley. Sir George Whitmore said : (1). No copies had been prepared of the Civil Service Report by Messrs. Seed and Batkin. (2). That a more recent report by the same gentlemen on the same subject was of a confidential nature, and only intended for Ministers. (3). That a Bill in pursuance of such reports had been printed by the Atkinson Government, but the type had been distributed. Sir George Whitmore announced that the Government had lost no time in tendering their resignation after the adverse vote in another place, and the Governor had accepted it. His Excellency had not asked for any advice, and none had been tendered. Motions. Mr. Waterhouse, in accordance with notice, moved, “ That in the opinion of this Council it is essential to the working of our constitutional system, and to the efficiency of this branch of the Legislature, that the Government of the day be represented in the Council by a Minister holding a portfolio.” In speaking to the motion the hon. gentleman complained that the Council should have to put up with a Minister without portfolio. The gentleman who had last been appointed was in all respects excellently adapted for the position of a Minister with a portforlio, and so strongly did he feel on this point that he considered it would be the duty of the Council, if another case of the sort arose, to make a decided stand and demur to proceeding with business until such a state of things was remedied.

Mr. J. C. Richmond seconded the motion in a few words.

Sir G. Whitmore said he had no opposition to offer to the motion. Were he not connected with the present Ministry he would warmly support the mover, because anything

that gave greater weight to the Council he believed to be in the true interests ot New Zealand. He contended there ought to be two Ministers in the Council. Mr. McLean thought it was desirable the Council should put on record their objection to being represented in that chamber by a Minister without portfolio and hoped the motion would be carried unanimously on the voices. The motion was then put and agreed to. On the motion of Sir Geo. Whitmore the Council adjourned at 3.25 p.m. till to-mor-row for the purpose of considering the Address-in-Reply. House of Representatives. The House met at 2.20 p.m. After some formal business had been transacted, Mr. Stout said that in consequence of the vote come to last night, the Government had that morning wailed upon the Governor, to whom they had tendered their resignation as a Ministry. Under these circumstances he would now follow the usual course and ask that the House at its rising would adjourn until the usual hour on Tuesday. He had also to inform them that the Governor had fixed 3 p.m. to-day, to receive the Address-in-Reply. Sir George Grey—l would ask the Premier to say if, on tendering his resignation as he had just stated, he had recommended the Governor to send for anyone. Amidst cries of “ Don’t answer the question,”

Mr. Stout said in tendering the resignation, he tendered no advice.

Mr. J. W. Thomson—l this morning received a communication from the Governor requesting I should wait upon him as soon as possible. I waited upon him accordingly, and received from him 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 administration should be formed with as little delay as possible. The House then adjourned to enable the Address-in-Reply to be preeented. On resuming, the Speaker reported that the Address-in-Reply had been duly presented and a reply made thanking them for their assurances, and recognising the importance of having advisers possessing the confidence of the country. It also stated that steps had been taken to form a new Government. The House adjourned at 3.10 until 2.30 p.m. next day.