PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 226, 3 September 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Per Press Association.) Legislative Council. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBEB 2. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. Petitions. After several petitions had been presented— Adjournment. Mr. McLean, in view of the present Ministerial crisis, moved the adjournment of the Council till the usual hour to-morrow. The Council adjourned at 2.35 p.m. House of Representatives. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2. The House met at 2.30. Petitions. Messrs. Tole, Dargaville, Moss, Grey, Peacock, and Moat presented a petition from women, praying that the franchise under the Licensing Act be extended to females of mature age. Notices. Sir George Grey gave notice that he would introduce a Bill to amend the Property Assessment Act. Mr. Gore gave notice that he would introduce a Bill entitled “ The Workman’s Railway Act.” Adjournment. Major Atkinson intimated that, at the request of Mr. Stout, he had to ask fcr an adjournment till to-morrow at 2.30. He also intimated that he had tendered the resignation of his Government on Saturday morning.

Mr. Stout said that the Governor had sent for him, and he had undertaken the formation of a Government. He hoped to succeed in doing so by the time they met to-morrow. Mr. Joyce said that the proceedings of the last few weeks had brought representative government into actual contempt. He cited authorities to show that with the exception of this and one of the other colonies, members taking office in the Government had to stand re-election by their constituents. He suggested a motion to the effect that this practice should be brought into operation in this colony. He would on a future day move a resolution to this effect. Colonel Trimble and Mr. Barron made suggestions with a view of getting the business proceeded with. Major Atkinson did not share the opinion that the last three weeks had been wasted. The most important function was to secure a satisfactory Government. There was no great need for legislation, and that only left them the duty of redressing grievances. He objected to the proposal that members accepting office should go back to their constituents. The proposal would be of no use in the present crisis. He also objected to preliminary business being gone on with until a Government was decided upon. The constitution of the various committees, for example, was a matter in which the Government in office had a right to' have a preponderance of supporters. The House rose at 3.35.