GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1216, 12 August 1884, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Friday, August 8. The House met at 2.30. ADDRESS BY THE SPEAKER

Immediately after prayers, The Speaker addressed the Home as follows: —I have to report that, accompanied by my proposer and seconder, the hon. member for Taieri and the hon, member for Port Chalmers, and other members, Lwaited upon his Excellency the Governor, and communicatedctoihim ray election as Speaker of the House, He then read a statement of what had taken place between his Excellency and himself, the Governor approving and concurring in the choice on behalf of the Queen, and congratulating Sir M. O’Rorke on his re-elec-tion, which, he said, marked the appreciation of the House of Representatives of the impartiality and wisdom with which Sir Maurice had discharged the duties of his office. In conclusion the Speaker repeated his acknowledgement of the high honor conferred upon him. He added that he was not in a position to call for petition! or notices of motion at that sitting, as, beyond the election of Spehker, the House was unable to proceed with any other business until his Excellency should have announced the cause of having called Parliament together. TARING THE OATH. Four or five members who were not present yesterday took the oath and their seats. These included Sir Julias Vogel and Mr Ormond. RESIGNATION 0? THE MINISTRY!

The Premier then rose and said-j-Sir, I desire to ask the permission of the f House to make a statement as to the intentions of the Government. The Government, air, have taken into consideration the result oi the late election and the general position

of parties in this House, and have come to the conclusion that, under the circumstances, it is their duty to tender their resignation to his Excellency. That course has been followed. 1 placed the resignation of the Government in the hands of the Governor this morning. His Excellency did not ask me for advice as to whom he should sand for, and, as the hon, members are aware, it was not constitutional, or not a constitutional practice, for a Minister in my position to. tender advice that was not aaked for. I have, therefore, nothing further in that direction to inform the House, but simply that we hold office until the appointment of our successors. I therefore have to more that this House do now adjourn till Thursday next at two o’clock.

Mr Montgomery, who was imperfectly heard in the reporters’ gallery, said it . seemed to him that members were naturally anxious to know what progress would be made in tho promotion of a Ministry, and Tuesday would be late enough to meet again. He did • not rise for the sake of objecting, but pointed out that both the house and the country would be anxious to know if a Ministry had been formed by Tuesday. The Premier,; I should bo very happy to accede to the proposal of my hon, friend if I thought it would conduce in any way ‘ to the progress of public business, but I • feel it would not do so at all. The Go- , vernor has fixed Thursday next as the fittest day on which we can despatch any business at all. I think probably that any gentleman who may be entrusted with the formation of a Government will have quite enough to do between now and next Thursday. Sir George Grey : I think, sir, it might possibly be a relief to the House to know the name of the gentleman who might be entrusted with the task of forming a .Ministry if the House met next Tuesday. If he failed I think he ought to have an opportunity of stating to tho House that such failure has taken place, and making any remarks thereon that he thinks proper. There could be no harm inmeeting on Tuesday if the House agreed to that being done. Mr Seddon rose to speak. The Speaker said the hon. member for Kumars would hare to obtain permission of tho House to speak. • Cries of “Aye." Mr Seddon then pointed out that there could be no amendment, and he suggested that the question should be put that the House adjourn till Tuesday. The Speaker put the question in the *■ form that this House do now adjourn until Thursday next. The motion was agreed to on the voices, and at 2,45 p.m. the House accordingly adjourned till Thursday, 14th inst., at 2 p.m. August 9. _ His Excellency the Governor this morning sent for Sir Julius Vogtl, and the latter is now engagsd in forming a Ministry. Mr Stout has consented to take office under Sir Julius Vogel.