House of Representatives.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 220, 27 August 1884, Page 2

House of Representatives.

The House met at 2.30. Mr. Stout stated that if no Ministry were formed in the meantime, he would move tomorrow, “ That interim supplies be granted.” Mr J. W. Thompson explained that since they last met he had been in communication with members on both sides of the House, and had received many assurances of support from them. When, however, they came to discuss the political situation he had reason to believe the state of parties was such as would prevent him forming a stable ministry—one capable of carrying out the work of the session. Therefore he lost no time in communicating that fact to the Governor, and he hoped the House would give him credit for not having wasted a single moment unnecessarily. Sir George Grey said that he had been sent for by the Governor on Friday afternoon last, and was asked to undertake the duty of forming an administration to carry on the Government of the country. He replied that he thought the task a most onerous one, and it took some time to consider the matter. He found he was unable to determine the point until the Monday evening, and he had asked the Governor to grant him extension of time for consideration until this morning. Accordingly this morning he had had another interview with his Excellency, at which he had assured him that he had done his best to bring about some arrangement by which some other person than himself might be enabled to form a Ministry. He had not succeeded in the task of forming a Ministry himself, and it. was with an expression of deep regret that he gave the Governor to understand that fact. He then ventured to suggest that Major Atkinson was the only person who could succeed in forming a stable Government, and he was much satisfied to find that the same opinion was held by the Governor himself. The Governor had been pleased to authorize him to make that statement to the House. Major Atkinson said the Governor was pleased to send for him that morning. He asked him if he thought he could undertake the duty. He asked for a short time to enable him to consult with his friends. He was not in a position to make any definite statement. He z was, however, fully alive to the importance of having this interruption to the business of the country brought to a close at the earliest possible period. He hoped, however, to-morrow to be in a position to state something satisfactory. The present was a time when he would strongly counsel them to lay minor differences aside and unite together in bringing the present state of things to a conclusion. He had great hopes of being able to do something satisfactory to-morrow; but, at all events, they could reply upon this one thing. He was alive to the fact that what was to be done was to be done quickly. Mr. Seddon said that this was the fourth attempt to form a Ministry, and probably a fifth would be made before they got into

working order. On behalf of the younger Ministers it was but right that the true cause of this state of matters should be understood. He blamed Sir (’eorge Grey and Mr. Montgomery for not having formed a Government when the vote of confidence last session was carried, instead of forcing a dissolution. It was a case of rivalry between these two leaders. When the New Parliament came back the Government was in a decided minority. Instead of resigning as they had done, they ought to have done what they now propose doing, that is reconstructing. He blamed Sir George Grey for being the first to unseat the Vogel-Stout Ministry. Despite the fact that at least three of his old colleagues were in that Government. That fact simply convinced him of the truth of the statement that had been already made, that lie either could not, or would not work with those with whom he was leagued. Again they found that Sir George Grey was the very first to support and co-operate with Major Atkinson. Despite the charges of political corruption he had repeatedly made, they found him supporting the head and front of the continuous Ministry, and now they were told to-day that he had told the Governor to send for Major Atkinson. Conduct like this was most extraordinary and altogether unexplainable, after what Sir George Grey had said about Atkinson. If the vote was to be taken over again they would now find that the Vogel-Stout Administration have a large majority in their favor, an(l if a poll of the people was taken Mr. Stout would be retained as Premier by the voice of an overwhelming majority. In the view of what was said about, the public finances it was tloubly necessary that the Stout Government should have been allowed to retain olfice. As for Sir Julius Vogel, he thought that his past services should have been better recognised than by putting him off the Treasury Benches without being heard. There was no doubt but that the policy in the

Governor’s speech was endorsed. It was only the personnel of the Government that was objected to. He admitted that there was an objection well founded in that respect, hut then they must bear in mind that when Sir Grey was asked to take part in constructing that Government he replied, “No I He would take part in no Government in which Sir Julius Vogel had a seat.” So that he had a good right to complain against the the Government as constituted. Referrring to Mr. Thomson he said he had no doubt that he had been misled. First he went to Major Atkinson and had got the cold shoulder ; then he went to Sir George Grey and he got no countenance there. They Had been told that this was a greatly improved Parliament ; but he asked them to say where was the superiority in proceedings like these. Next Sir George Grey was sent for. That was making the first last, and they would all agree with him in saying that Sir George Grey should have been sent for first. He too applied to Major Atkinson with no better success. Then he went to Mr. Stout. No doubt Mr. Stout took the proper course when he too refused. Had he done otherwise it would have been an act of treachery to have deserted his colleagues. Together they ought to stand or fall, as together they had formed a Ministry. As a next step Sir George Grey called a meeting of members to advise as to what was to be done. That was shirking the responsibility on the part of Sir George Grey. That meeting declined to giving any advice, but expressed an opinion that he could coalesce with the Stout-Vogel party. Sir George Grey’s advice to the Governor to send for Major Atkinson was advice in which a majority in the House would not concur. It appeared that the Governor was only to know four men, and that the formation of a Ministry must devolve upon them. That was absurd. Major Atkinson had to resign only the other day, and he should not have been again named. There was a large majority against the Atkinson Government being again brought back to office. Seeing the leaders cou.d not form a Government, some of the younger members should have been entrusted with the task. If Major Atkinson could not form a Government, he apprehended that they would have a dissolution to face, and in what position would that place them.

Mr. Stout said that he did not wish to complicate matters. All he would wish to say was that he regretted that they had not observed strict party lines in follrwing their leaders of late into the lobby. The House rose at 3.25 till 7.30 to-morrow.