GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Inangahua Times, Volume IX, Issue 1416, 20 June 1884, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

- „ -♦ — __ — Wellington, 18 i Fish contended that the course taken by the Government in asking for a dissolution was improper. The vote taken- oh 'Thursday showed. -ttictt there could be no doubt of the ; ability of the Opposition to form a Government. Moreover, it would be a dangerous precedent to allow a government which did not possess the confidence of the country to retain oflice a moment, longer than was absolutely necessary. He charged the Governor with- having acted in this matter as a. political partisan of the present Government. Dargaville suggested that they should adjourn till 7.80 that night, so as to afford the Opposition an opportunity for considering what course they

ought to pursue in the circumstances. , Macandrew spoke in favor of adopt- • ing the course proposed by Atkinson. | In reply to J. W. Thomson, Atkinson j riaid that no correspondence passed be- ! tween the Governor and the Govern- j ment r* the application for dissolution. I Grey said that if he had occupied the position of a leader on this occasion, he would have felt it is duty to move a resolution to the affect that Parliament earnestly solicits the Governor to call to his counsels advisers possessing the confidence of the House. He would ask the mover of the adverse vote to follow that course, as it would be downright dangerous to leave the administration in the hands of the present government. Turnbull concurred in the proposal. Government had all along taunted the Opposition that they could not form a Government, and now that it was prepared to do so they unconstitutionally deprived them of the opportunity. Montgomery objected to the length of time asked by Government to make the writs returnable. Grey, in 1879, under similar circumstances made them returnable in 30 days. Atkinson said the condition of affairs was different from what it was in 1879. Now they had to run the elections all ou the one day, and it would not be safe to make the writs returnable at so short a date. The adjournment till Thursday was then put and carried on the voices. The House adjourned at 4.50. Wellington, 14. Sir George Grey, in an eloquent reply, impeached the Government on their Native policy and land administration, and urged that action should be immediately taken to carry out the vote |of the House. He further attacked the Native Department, and 3aid it was iv as bad a position as ever. Bryce replied to the attack, aud stated that the Department only cost halfasmuchas during Grey's administration. Neither Moss nor Fillet voted on the recent division, although both were in the buildings at the time. It is said the Shaw-Brandon election well form the subject of a Parliamentary enquiry. It is rumored that some strange facts in connection with the delay of the execution ofDonohue are likely to be brought to the surface The Times this morning, in commenting upon that part of the Premier's speech, wherein he expresses his gieat regi'Pt at 'the disaffection of the member for Greymouth, hints at Mr Petrie not being quite in accordance with either section of the Opposition, and is likely to be one of a new party if re-elected for next Parliament. Wellington, 14. Later on in the afternoon a caucus of the Government supporters was- held to consider what should be done, but no division was arrival at. It is said that a large majority were in favor of the view held by tlie Opposition, by' appealing to j the country, but a minority, including j the Premier, wish the Government to resign. I A formal meeting of Ministerialists will be held on Monday to decide the j matter. Sir Julius Yogel has arrived here to prosecute his claims against the Government