THE HISLOP-WARD AFFAIR.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 349, 10 September 1889, Page 3

THE HISLOP-WARD AFFAIR.

FIZZLE IN THE HOUSE. PREPARATIONS FOR THE ELECTION. Wellington. Saturday. There was a very full House yesterday afternoon, the galleries also being crowded, as it was expected that the proceedings would be of an exciting character. The Premier having announced previously that he would Btate the views of the Government on the no-confidence motion proposed by Mr Grimtnond. Sir Harry’s remarks were eagerlylooked forward to. After the preliminary business had been disposed of the Premier rose to make the promised statement. He (aid that the Goverment had carefully considered the amendmet, which came from a member of the lower ranks of the Opposition. (Criea of “ Oh! oh 1" and “ A much respected member.”) The Speaker interrupted the Premier to aav that all members were equal on the floor of’the House, The Premier said he accepted the rebuke at once. What he meant to say was that the amendment came from a gentleman who did not sit on the front benches of the Opposition. The Government having considered the amendment in that light, they did not intend to take it as a motion of no-confidence or. to debate it. I! the leader of the Opposition wanted to try the strength of the Government he (Sir Harry) was ready to meet him when he pleased, on condition that due notice was given. Ministers would decline to discuss the amendment because it was simply meant to harass the Government. Mr Fergus would not give an explanation with regard to the Christie case, neither would he (the Premier) do so till after the present motion was disposed of. After that was done he would make a full explanation, but he would decline to do so to a member of the Opposition after what had happened. The Premier then appealed to all members who were anxious to go on With the business to allow the Government to get into Committee of Supply, and so bring this matter to a close. Mr Ballance twitted the Premier with his change of front, and defended his own position, saying that It frequently happened in the House of Commons that motions vitally affecting the i policy of the Government came from tnc rana and file of the Opposition, Mr Seddon then rose and made a long harangue, but nearly the whole of the Ministerial side of the House left the Chambers, followed by many Oppositionists. The member for Kumara, however, continued speaking on the whole of the circumstances that led to Mr Hislop qresigna(ioD> for over an hour, and after Dr Fitchett, Mr Fisher, and Mr Hutchinson had relieved their minds by attacking the Premier and Mr Fergus in the most violent manner, the whole thing collapsed, the amendments being negatived without a division being called for, as it was evident that the Opposition were going to be badly beaten on it. The Local Government Committee have brought up their report. They consider it Very expedient that some new system of local government should be established, and that it should be framed with the following Objects (1) decentralisation, (2) reduction in the number of local bodies, (3) a definite and fixed relation between the finances of the General Government and that of local bodies, (4) the establishment of local districts with elective governing bodies, the four large cities with their suburbs to be separate districts and the remainder of the colony not to consist of more than sixteen districts, and (5) the instituting of local councils by election by the Borough and County Councils within each dstrict. The Committee recommend that for the further consideration of the subject a committee be let up early next session, A large number of members assembled ©n the wharf to see Mr Hislop off, and. as the Rotorua left for the South, hearty cheers were given for the late . Colonial Secretary. The prevalent opinion in Ministerial circles now is that the vecint folio will not be alioted at present, ana that if Mr Hislop is re-elected he will again be taken into the Cabinet. The prospect for the Oamaru election is now rather lively. Mr. Jellicoe, the Wellington lawyer, has determined *■? contest the seat, and leaves for the south in a day or two to begin the campaign. It has long been known that Mr. Jellicoe coveted a seat in and his return for one of the Wellington constituencies at the general election was looked upon as almost certain. Ever since he came from England to conduct the celebrated Waring Taylor prosecution he has taken a leading position at the local Bar, Bnd proved himself a very able man. He will probably prove himself one of the hottest opponents Mr. Hislop could face. Wellington, last night. Mr Hislop had a good reception on his return to Oamaru. Mr Jellicoe’s candidature is regarded by Mr Hislop’s friends as a joke. The other candidates announced are Messrs Firth and Dunn. Mr Jellicoe has placed himself reservedly In the hands of the Opposition, but unless they can induce the two local candidates already in the field for Oamaru to withdraw he will not contest the seat. He wishes to fight Mr Hislop singlehanded.