THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Southland Times, Issue 1614, 2 August 1872, Page 2

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WELLINGTONS August 1. A meeting of Superintendents and other Provincial officers holding seats in the Assembly has been held, at which certain resolutions were agreed upon, which will probably be proposed in the House somewhat in the following shape : — That if the Immigration and Public "Works policy is to be efficiently and economically carried out, a change is necessary in the existing system, experience having proved that the practical details of the policy cannot be satisfactorily administered from any one centre ; that the Colonial Government should use Provincial machinery for carrying out the policy, the duties of Eesident Ministers or Agents being performed by the Provincial Executives, but the Colonial Government to retain the supreme control and responsibility ; that this arrangement would lead to the exercise of local knowledge and experience of requirements, economy, and the speedy execution of works. Mr Togel is believed to be favorable to the new proposal, but the other members of the Ministry are divided. It is believed that the Cabinet will resist to the utmost, but it is known that the Governor will not grant a dissolution. A powerful majority has been formed to carry the resolutions. The Centralists in opposition will probably remain neutral. The Government feels certain of a defeat. The opening of the Hutt railway has been postponed, it is believed in order to coerce the "Wellington members. In the House of Representatives yesterday, the Government promised to lay upon the table papers containing the offer made by Mr Brogden to form a company in London to construct railways. The National Currency Bill was read a first time. Mr O'Rorke moved a resolution in favor of granting the Government House and ground at Auckland for a University on condition of Auckland expending £10,000 for a new Government House if required ; all moneys voted by Parliament for University education to be divided equally between Dunedin and Auckland. Mr Donald Reid suggested the repeal of the University Act, as the Dunedin University would meet all requirements. Mr Bathgate supported the resolution, and denounced the New Zealand University as a sham, saying that the funds were wasted in travelling expenses, and praised the Otago University. The debate was adjourned. Mr Sheehan's motion in favor of rendering the ouiC3 of Attorney-Geueral a political one was debated and adjourned. The Hduse passed the second reading of the Licensing Bill on a division by 28 to 26. In the House of "Representatives today, notice of motion was given of the Inverc.irgill Special Rates Act. In the debate on the motion for printing the immigration returns, several speakers referred to the Aijent-Greneral's neglect of Ireland as a field for immigration. The motion for rendering the office of Attorney-General a political one has been negatived. _____________^___