PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3368, 8 October 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[Speciax. Wibb to " Sta»."]

(Fsb Pbbss Association.)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wellington, Last night. PETITION AGAINST Dtt WALIIS AND MB

HUB ST.

Tbe House met at 2.30, when the Speaker notified the receipt of a petition against tbe election of two members for Auckland City West. He added that, before the petition was inquired into, the petition would require to be on tbe table of the House for 10 days to allow an objection, being stated to the securities lodged. . '

Mr Hislop submitted, that as tbe petition was directed against two members, the forms of the Act could not be complied with, and under these circumstances he submitted that tlie petition, as framed, could not be received. The Speaker ruled ibat the point raised was one to be decided at a subsequent period. On the motion of Mr Hursthouse, Friday, tbe 11th day of October, was appointed as the day for inquiries into tbe allegations contained in the petition. PETITION AGAINST SIB G. GBEY. Tbe Speaker further notified the receipt of a petition from Mr E. Biehardson against the election of Sir G. Grey for Christehurch City. On the motion of Mr Bo wen, Friday, the 17th inst., was fixed to inquire into the allegations, and the same day was, on Mr Bowen's motion, fixed for its consideration. . | A PBBSONAL EXPLANATION. i

The Premier rose to make a personal explanation. A short lime ago remarks he made concerning the result of the famine in Ireland had been called into question by the.member for Grey and Sell by whom it was alleged that these results had been greatly exaggerated. He quoted from an authority on the subject to prove that what he stated was literally correct, and his remarks about the hardening effects of the land laws on the minds of the landlords had been called into question. In support of the statement he then made he quoted from a speech made by the Premier of England, Mr Disraeli, as published in the London Times.

Col. Trimble said that if the contents were read a very different construction would be put upon these quotations from the oue attempted to be given them by the Hon. member.

The Speaker ssid the matter could not be further considered just then, and the House adjourned half an hour to allow of the Address in Reply being presented to the Gorernor. On resuming, the Speaker read the reply made by the Governor, in which he stated that he was at all times anxious that his responsible advisers should be in accord with the representatives in Parliament, and that he had taken measures with a view of forming a new Government.

THE ACTION OF THE GOVBBHMENT. The Premier laid that he wished to explain on behalf of himself and his colleagues that they had placed their resignations in the hands of the Gorernor, who had been pleased to accept of the same. His Excellency had been pleased to request that they would retain office until their successors bad been appointed, and that therefore they only occupied their present position until a new Government had been formed. The Hon. Mr Hall said that yesterday afternoon he had been sent for by the Governor and requested to take upon himself, the duty of forming a new Government; after communicating with His Excellency he had undertaken to do so. Since then he had been engaged in that task, but as the House would readily understand, he had not yet succeeded in completing his arrangements. He had intended to hare asked the adjournment until Thursday, but as he understood the Premier wanted certain supplies voted immediately, he would ask for the adjournment until tomorrow with the with the understanding that upon supplies being voted, the House would agree to a further adjournment until Friday, when he would be enabled to announce the formation of a Government which would command the approval of the j House.

In seconding the motion, the Premier did so on the distinct understanding that he did not in any way commit himielf to the opinion that the new Government

would command the approval of the House. At 3.30, the House adjonrned till to-morrow at 2.30.