LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2405, 29 September 1892, Page 4

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS.

London, Sept. 26. It is officially announced that the Marquis of Kipon supports the New Zealand Ministry in their dispute with the Governor, and directs Lord Glasgow to appoint the members of the Legislative Council as desired by the Government. The Secretary of State for the Colonies does not censure Lord Glasgow for the position he took up. He considers that his attitude is partly on the lines followed by Lord Onslow, but advises him that the demands of the Cabinet should be fully met.

Wellington, Sept. 26. Mr Seddon, the acting Premier, made his statement with regard to the Legislative Council appointments in the House at half-past 3 o'clock this afternoon. Most of the members were in their places in the Chamber, and Lady Glasgow and a large party from Government House occupied seats in Sir Patrick Buckley's gallery. After the second reading of the Naval and Military Settlers' Bill had been carried, Mr Seddon rose and said that he had an important statement to make to the House on the question of the proposed Legislative Council appointments. His Excellency the Governor had informed Miuisters that he had received a telegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in consequence of which he waived his objections to making the proposed appointments, and that he was now ready to grant the twelve appointments to the Council, which Ministers advised him to make. Mr Rollestoii said it was needless to state that large and important issues were involved in this matter. That being so he trusted Ministers would take 1 an early opportunity of stating to the House what their intentions were in respect to it, and not keep them in suspense any longer than was absolutely necessary. He hoped also that His Excellency would be advised to lay all the documents and memoranda in connection with this decision on the table of the House, together with any other information with respect to it. Such an assurance was, he thought, only what was due to the House and country. Mr Sedd.nn said that so far as the Legislature was concerned, it was no fault of the Government that the House had been kept in suspense, and Ministers were not responsible for the delay that had occurred. As to the decision of the Government in the matter, lie did not think Mr Rolleston so unreasonable as to expect the Government to come to_ a decision within an hour after the receipt of the cablegram sent to His Excellency. He (Mr Seddon) had simply stated that the Governor had received a cablegram from the Secretary of State, and had placed it at the disposal of Ministers, who had communicated the information to the House at the express wish of the Governor. He had no doubt that on receipt of fuller information the Government would be willing to state its decision on the whole question to the House.

The House then proceeded with the next Order of the Day.