AN UNEXPECTED MOVE.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 483, 25 June 1890, Page 4

AN UNEXPECTED MOVE.

SIR GEORGE GREY SPRINGS A MINE. Wellington, June 20 When the ordinary business had been disposed of in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon, and the formal motion for adjournment had been moved, Sir George Grey made a most unexpected move, by moving an amendment calling upon the Governor to dissolve Parliament without delay. Sir George had not taken anyone into his confidence, and his sudden appearance with such a decidedly hostile motion awakened both members and spectators out of a state of semi-interestedness to almost a pitch of excitement. The motion for adjournment was just about to be put, and there appeared very little doubt it would be carried without any discussion, when the member for Auckland East rose to his feet*and, in his usual quiet, deliberate fashion, expressed his opinion that the House should not adjourn. By this time everybody listened with the greatest of curiosity to know what was to be the unexpected scheme about to be propounded, and the interest increased as Sir George proceeded to say, “Sir, I beg to move an amendment to that.” . “ I have been very much struck,” he continued, “ at the extraordinary fact that while the Governor issued a proclamation calling Parliament together on the Bth May, the new Parliament was not in session before June this year, and that there has taken place great delay in the business of the country. After careful consideration, that fact has forced upon my mind the belief that the steps taken by the Government in nob providing for a dissolution of this Parliament at the date when they might have done so, and thus preventing a second session

being held, shows that the interests of the country have been sacrificed in point of fact for the personal ambition of the Ministers that are desirous of retaining their seats for a long period of time. P therefore propose to submit to the House that it is their duty, instead of adjourning at once, to resolve themselves into a committee of the whole with a view of drawing up a petition to the Governor praying him without delay to dissolve the present Parliament and then immediately issue writs for the election of another House of Representatives. It would meet probably within a period of six weeks from the present time. We could assure His Excellency at the same time that we can make ample provision for the necessary expenditure for carrying on the government during that shoft interval. The objects attained by this proceeding would be manifestly advantageous to the colony. What the present Government are attempting to do is to maintain possession of the Government for another twelve months, to prevent for that period of time new electors who will come upon the rolls to exercise for the time their proper power of voting—one man one vote —by which eveiy qualified individual in the colony may have some voice in shaping the destinies of himself and family. Further,, sir, I maintain His Excellency is not justified in taking advice to Che contrary effect from any Ministers, and it is his proper duty to try and find some person in this Parliament who will advise him to preserve a section of the subjects from being robbed of the proper functions and liberties they possess. The proposal you have made amounts to this, that for twelve months from the present time the colony is to be governed by a defur.ct Legislature; that for that period the defunct body are to maintain those benches while they do not possess the confidence of the country. I call upon Ministers to assist me in carrying out this project. In their hearts they must feel it is their duty to the country to have an immediate dissolution, and let their fellow men come into possession of the rights they possess and ought to exercise. 1, therefore, move, ‘ That this House do forthwith resolve itself into committee of the whole for the purpose of drawing up a strong but humble petition to His Excellency the Governor, praying him, without delay, to dissolve the present Parliament, and to cause rolls to be issued for the elec tion of another House of Representatives, and that they assure him that due provision shall be made for the efficient conduct of the public service during the short time that must elapse before the new Parliament shall assemble.’” Sir George went on to say that honourable gentlemen would no doubt point out that the effect of this motion would be to put the country to the cost of another session, but this was as nothing compared with the advantages to be gained. The Speaker ruled the amendment inadmissible in the absence of notice of motion, any amendment moved on a motion for adjournment being necessarily confined to that subject. Mr Taylor (Sydenham) expressed regret that the amendment was inadmissible, and spoke strongly on the same lines a 3 Sir Georgo Grey. He said the country was no doubt waiting for the Financial Statement to disclose the policy of the Government, but if it was anything like a surplus claimed by the Government it would be a very poor Statement indeed. He urged that this Parliament had no right to deal with any question of a vital character unless it was given effect to by a measure providing for one man one vote. Mr Fisher expressed regret that Sir George had not taken some members of the House into his confidence before taking this step. The amendment came on a house of 30, out of .95 members, and it was as much a surprise to those present as it would be to those absent. The country was ripe a year ago for an election, and it was only put off by three or four members voting in direct opposition to the wishes of the people. He also referred to the late date on which Parliament had assembled, and said it was the duty of the Government to have convened Parliament at least a month ago. Knowing the necessity that existed for the reorganisation of parties by an appeal to the electors, he would have voted for the amendment. The motion for adjournment was then put and carried.

Subsequent to the rising of the House I interviewed Sir George Grey, and he informed me that it was perfectly true that he had taken no one into his confidence with reference to moving the hostile amendment, for the reason that such, of course, might have frustrated his plans. He also expressed his intention to return to the attack to-day (Friday), being confident that he had the sympathy, not only of the people of the colony, but also of a large number of members. He does not regard his amendment as a motion of no-confidence, and hopes the Government will sea the reasonableness of the proposal so far as to facilitate its being carried into effect.