The Temuka Leader. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1887. THE GOVERNMENT DEFEAT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1670, 8 December 1887, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1887. THE GOVERNMENT DEFEAT.

In Committee on the Representation Bill at 2 o’clock on Wednesday morning, Mr Downie Stewart moved that the Bill should not come into operation until October, 1889, and a division resulted in the Government being defeated by five votes. The Premier moved to report progress, which was carried at 2.40 a.m. When the House met at 11 a.m. the Premier moved the adjournment of the House till 2 p.m., as Government would consider their position* At a caucus of Ministerialists held afterwards the Premier announced the Government would resign if the motion passed the previous evening was not reversed, and several members gave in their adhesion, and promised ,tp reverse the motion. Mr Stewart’s motion was proposed so that Government could not hold the threat of a dissolution over the heads of members. How when the Bill passes the Premier can control Parliament by threatening a dissolution, and can do as he likes, for if a dissolution took place the number of members would be 25 less, and 25 of those now in Parliament would lose their seats. The Premier’s conduct is the most autocratic that has ever been heard of, but the members who allow themselves to be thus browbeaten into abject submission are not fit for the position they hold.