GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1235, 4 September 1884, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 on Tuesday. After several petitions had been presented, the Hoo. Mr McLean, in view of the present Ministerial crisis, moved the adjournment of the Council till the usual hour on Wednesday. «. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House mat at 2.30 p.m, on Tuesday. PETITIONS. Messrs Tole, Dargaville, Moss, Peacock, Moat, and Sir George Grey presented petitions from women, praying that the franchise under the Licensing .Act be extended to females of mature age. notices op bills. Sir George Grey gave notice he would introduce a Bill to amend the Property Assesment Act. Mr Gore gave notice he would introduce a Bill entitled the Workmen’s Railway Act. THE POLITICAL CRISIS. The Hon Major Atkinson intimated that at the request of .Mr Stout he had to ask for an adjournment till Wednesday at 2.30 p.m. 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 on Wednesday. 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 for re-elec-tion 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 that effect. Colonel Trimble and Mr Barron made suggestions with a view of getting the business'proceerled with. The Hon. Major Atkinson said he did not share the opinion that the last three weeks had been wasted. The most important function was to secure a satisfatv tory 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 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 3.5 p.m.