THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 243, 26 September 1872, Page 6

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

[By Electric Telegraph.]

(From our own Correspondent.)

'' , " ' .Fepfc. i 7. At a meeting of the Opposition to-day, Mr Fox announced hia intended resignation of the leadership of his party. He said he would still give it, his active support ; and would stick firmly to those who had been so r long identified with him. It was unanimoußly agreed that Mr Fox should continue to lead until the present Ministry is ousted from office.

The Opposition programme was unanimously agreed to. Mr Yogel is to move a want of confidence motion, to the effect that the country wants more specific statements than those given by Ministers, which are vague and unsatisfactory ; that if the motion be carried the new Ministry should embrace Messrs Yogel, M'Lean, and , Hall ; the Premiership to be offered to Mr Waterhouao,

if bewoulfl *coept; Mr Reyuolda's resolution re two Provinces, with Mr Macandrew's amendments to be withdrawn. The Opposition are united.

A Maori member, who was present at the meeting, explained his opinion of Mr Stafford's views on native affairs. They were only intended, he said, to seduce Mairi members ; but ha never know such conduct on the part of the late Government. Mr Stafford's promises were not likely to be fuelled.

Mr John Martin is at the bar ©f the House. He states he has withdrawn his application for a portion of Mr Andrews' run. It has been agreed to discharge him. Mr J. Strange Williams, of Christchurcb, is to have Mr Moorhouse's appointment. Mr Yogel introduced a Municipal Corporation Waterworks Act, the object of which is to save Municipalities applying separately for private Bills. The Bill was read a first time.

A large number of petitions were presented to-day, and a great many notices of motion given. The questions include the following : — V» hether the appointment of Crown Lands Commissioner is to be continued. If so, at what salary ; and will the office l>e included in the Ministerial office held by Mr Fitzherbert? Whether the Agent-General is to . be superseded ; and whether the Government has or has not considered the propriety of removing him ? September 18. In the House, last night, the Public Rev jiupb Bill was commtted. The Tele g:a|>h Notices, the Gold Duties, and Post Office Kills were committed, read a third time, and passe J. The Protection to Animals and Wellin :ton Debts Amendment Bills were rend a second time. Yesterday, several Bills went through the House In the Council, yesterday, the second reading of the North Dunedin Cemetery Bill was passed. In tho House, to-day, Mr Shephard (Nelson) presented petitions from Nelson Provii c against the dUmemb rment of SouthW st Goldh'iclds. Other petitions, questions, and notices of motion were tabled. In answer to a question by Mr Bathgate, whether members of the Legislature will be placed on the proposed Civil > ervice Commission, and whom it was proposed to place on it, the Government said they at first proposed to submit to Parliament certain names, but on further consideration they did not now think it advisable to nominate members of the Legislature. The other questions on the Order Paper remain unanswere 1, and there is every prospect of a long session. Sept. 19. Mr Macandrew yesterday moved his motion affirming the expediency of voting out of that portion of the Immigration and Public Works Loan applicable for water supply on goldfields, a sum not exceeding LIOO.OOO, to be placed at the disposal of the Provincial Legislature of < 'tago, to be by it applied exclusively towards the development of mining industry in that Province ; such sum to be charged against the revenue of said Province. Mr Stafford opposed the motion, which was virtually to authorise a Provincial Borrowing Rill, and in direct opposition to the principle affirmed by the House that the sole control and responsibility of the expenditure of the loan should remain with the General Government. The Government would, however, g'adly co-operate with Provincial authorities, and avail themselves of local machinery. The debate was interrupted by the dinner hour. In the Council, last night, the Oamaru Dock Trust Bill was i emitted to a Select Committee, to report on the 25th. In Mr Smythies' ease for re-admission, a feeling against it was expressed, but a measure for compensation would be supported. Mr Sheehan moved an amendment to Mr Macandrew's water supply motion to allocate the L 300.000 at once, which Mr Macandrew accepted. Mr O' Conor spokeagainst time to frustrate a division, Mr J. O. Brown (Taapeka) ai<lin§. The motion will now be ; placed last on the Order Paper. The Otago Waste Land Bill went into | Committee. The third clanso was opposed and postponed. On the 65th clause two amendments were proposed, but both were lost. After considering the 46th clause, the House adjourned. September 19. The Auckland Mechanics Institute Site Sale Bill and Auckland Temperance Hall Site Sale Bill have been read a second time. The Drainage Bill was read a second iime so as to affirm the principle, and then withdrawn, the Premier promising to consider the measuse during the recess. Mr Sheehan considered the measure premature ; but Mr Williamson approved <>f it. The Limited Liability Joint Stock Companies Amendment | Bill -was read a second time. The Otago Waste Lands Bill was committed. 47 clauses were passed, and progress was reported. September 20. The Financisl Statement is promised on Tuesday, and tho Public Works Statement on Wednesday or Thursday. The Municipal Corporation Waterworks BUI Interpretation Bill was read a second time, and the Otago Waste Lauds Bill considered in committee. In the Couuci), yesterday, Captain Fraser asked what action the- Government intended to take in reference to the Otago Education and other Reserves Mr Sewell replied they would act consistently, having regard to the interests of the rcmaindt r of tho Colony. The division on Mr Smythies' case was — Against re-admission, 21 ; favor, 7. In the House, leave of absence was granted to Mr Tolmie for ten days. Several questions were asked respecting railway works, in continuation of those already given. The answers were unfavorable, and evidently shadowed a stoppage of public works. The Commissioner of Customs intimated that the Government was disposed to remit duties on parts of agricultural machinery. , A Bill has been introduced by Taiaroa for the constitution of a Native Council for the Middle Island. Tararoa moved that LSOO pc placed on the Estimates for a road from Portobello to the Heads; Mr M'Glashan seconded, and Mr Stafford objecting. The motion was carried.

Mr Sheehan's amendment to Mr Macandrew's motion, re water supply to goldfields, was negatived by 29 to 23 Three of the Otago members voted with the Government, who opposed it. The Otago Waste Lands Bill passed through committee, from which it emerged at 1.30 a.m. to-day.

September 21. In the Legislative Council, the Oamaru Dock Trust Land Bill passed through Committee. •

For the New Zealand University Bill, on the motion that Crown Grants for the 60, 000 acres of confiscated land be laid on the table, the answer was that it should be complied with when the Government were able to do 80.

On the second reading of the Bill to allow Superintendents to sit in Provincial Councils, the ayes were 10, the noes 17. The Otago Dock Trust Bill, authorising the raising of LIO.OOO to complete the work, passed the second reading.

On the.tMttsndinQxits proposed by the liegialativo Council on the Drawbacks Bill being considered by the House of Representatives, Mr Yogel objected, on the eronnd that the Council could ? ot interfere with Money Bills. The Speaker ruled that the LegialativeConncil had no power to make the alterations proposed. The Stamp Duties Amendment Act passed ; the change to take place on the Ist December. The clause reducing the duty on cheques to one penny passed The Protection of Anim.-ils Bill passed with amendments.

The Maori Representation Bill occupied the whnle of the evening sitting. Progress was reported, and it will be resumed on Tuesday. Mr Reynolds proposed that the Bill should only con'inue in force to the end of the pre c ent Parliament, but as it was strongly opposed, the amendment was withdrawn: ■ Mr Sheehan's amendment, to give three additional members, was, after strong opposition withdrawn. Mr Stafford was willing to give one additional member. This was strong'y opposed, but will probably be carried.

'I he Supply and Public Works Statement is expected to be made on Tuesday.