GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1233, 30 August 1884, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 7.30. p.m. on Wednesday last. THE CRISIS. After some formal business bad been transacted, The Hon. Major Atkinson said that he was not yet in a position to state definitely' the names of the gentlemen he proposed to form a new Government. He might, however, say that negotiations were in progress. He expected these would be completed so as to enable them to be submitted to the Governor and Ministers take their seats on Thursday evening. The Premier moved—“ That the House adjourn until 7.30 on Thursday night,” which was agreed to. The House rose at 7.35 p.m. The House met at 7.30 p.m. on Thursday. notices op bills and motions. Sir George Grey gave notice he would move for leave to introduce a Bill for the repeal of the Property Assument Act, and in lieu thereof introduce a Bill for imposing a land tax. Ha also gave notice

he would move for the reduction of Members’ honorariums this session ; and further, he would introduce a Bill to regulate the admission of persona to the practice of law ; and a Bill to admit affirmation in lieu of oaths. THE POLITICAL SITUATION. The Hon Major Atkinson said they were aware he had undertaken the duty of forming an Administration. He had so far succeeded, having secured the co-opera-tion of six gentlemen who were sworn in that afternoon. He himself took the portfolio of Premier and Commissioner of Stamps ; Mr Wakefield, that of Colonial Secretary ; Captain Russell, that of Postmaster General; Mr Hursthouse, Minister of Lands, Immigration, and Agriculture ; Mr Mitchelson, Public Works ; and the Hon. Mr McLean, Trades and Customs, That left one portfolio still to be filled up. This he hoped to be able to fill up before the House met again, at all events before they settled down to business next week. Considering the difficulty by which their proceedings were surrounded, he hoped they would extend to them the consideration the circumstances in which they were placed warranted. He trusted that by Tuesday next he would be in a position to make a statement as to the policy and proposals of the Government. He also expected on that day to be in a position to state when the Financial and Public Works Statements would be brought down, and their delivery would be made on the earliest date possible. In the meantime he would ask them to grant sufficient Supplies to carry on the Government for the time being. He would not ask a large amount ; in fact, be would simply ask the amount proposed to be asked for by his friends opposite. It would be a little over a fortnight’s Supply that would bo asked for, viz., a sum of £75,000 for consolidated revenue purposes and £75,000 for public works purposes. In reply to a question, the Hon. Major Atkinson said the portfolio of Treasurer bad not been filled up. It had not been decided as to whether or not he should take it up.

Mr Stout said the intention of the Opposition was not to stop Supplies that night. They recognised the necessity of these being granted. However, they meant to deal with the Government in another way. This was simply a renewal of the Atkinson Government, a Government against the continuation of which the country had in the late elections most distinctly pronounced itself. In view of that fact he would give them notice that he would, at the very earliest moment, move “That this House has no confidence in the Government.”

The Hod. Major Atkinson denied that the Government he had just named could in any way be designated a renewal of the old Atkinson Government. It was quite true he was Atkinson, but they would recognise the fact that he could not possibly help that. The Government was in every respect a different Government from what was known and understood as (he Atkinson Government. He was not prepared to go on with (he debate of noconfidence to-night, but would be willing to have it brought on to-morrow. He did not wish to delay the business of the country, and would come to a division on the motion with as little delay as possible. Mr Stout offered to go to a division at once on the question. The Hon. Major Atkinson declined, adding that he would be able to do so tomorrow. After some further discussion to the same effect, the Hon. Major Atkinson moved that the House at its rising do ■djourn until to-morrow. Mr Stout then said : I give notice that I will move to-morrow that the Mouse has no confidence in the Government as formed. SUPPLY. On the motion for going into Committee of Supply, Sir Julius Vogel attacked the financing of Major Atkinson, stating that items had been omitted from the financial statement. To this the Hon. Major Atkinson replied, and stated that in his next financial statement the whole question would be dealt with. On the motion of Major Atkinson, Mr J. W. Thomson was appointed Chairman of Committees for the evening. The motion was carried without comment. The House then went into Committee of Supply. A message from the Governor was read that an intermin Supply be granted. A Bill for the amount asked for, £150,000, was then introduced and passed through all its stages. The House rose at 8.45 p.m, till 2.30 p.m. on Friday. On the House resuming on Friday at 2.30, the no-confidence motion was, on the motion of Mr Stout, adjourned till 7.30. The Government will not fill the vacant port-folio during the present crisis. The own correspondent of the Guardian telegraphs that Major Atkinson’s Ministry cannot stand unless he coaleces with Sir Julius Vogel,