PARLIAMENTARY.

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 2969, 20 October 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

(FROM OLR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.)

RUMOURED COALITION

The " Post" to-night says :" We learn on excellent authority that the Opposition are making overtures to the Government with a view to putting an end to the deadlock which at present exists. It is understood that the Opposition propose a reconstruction of the Ministry, by which members of tbe late Government will have scats on the Treasury Benches. If their proposals are accepted, the Opposition will assist the Government Ito get on with tbe business of the country ! without any further delay, but if Mr Macandrew and his party could turn out the Hall Ministry and take their place, there is every reason to believe that there would be several secessions from his rankssufficient indeed, to render their tenure of oflico equally brief." The above statement is, I believe, without foundation. I have been at much pains to sift the rumour, and have been assured by Mr Sheehan and Mr Macandrew that there is not a word of truth in it. But 1 am informed that the Government on Saturday made p.opnsals to tbe Opposition for a coalition Ministry, offering ti sacance two or three of the present occupants of the Ministry to be replaced by Opposition men, and this has bean absolutely declined. An on dit in the lobbies is to the eftect that Mr Hall was again sent for by the Governor, and told that if he would not carry on the business of the country ho must resign. Mr Hall asked for further time in order to endeavour to form a coalition Ministiy, and the Governor consented to wait a few days longer. Mr Hall afterwards wrote proposals to Mr Macandrew, which have been absolutely declined. Meantime strenuous influences are being used to get over votes from the Opposition, but have so far failed. OPPOSITION CAUCUS.

At the caucus of Opposition members this morning forty-five were represented. The following resolution was passed:—"We are authorised by the committee of manage ment of the Liberal party to state that the absurd rumours which have been circulated in the papers respecting a coalition, are entirely without foundation. No member of the party ever contemplated such a movement. We are further authorised to state that no member of the party will agree to a coalitiou, and no overtures of the kind have ever beeu made by the Opposition." COALITION PROPOSALS THIS MORNING. Mr Hall made the following proposal this morning to the Opposition :—That Mr Whitaker be Premier, airl that Messrs Hall and Macandrew, as other members of the Ministry, to select the remaining portfolios alternately. The Opposition Committeee is now considering its reply. The proposal will be rejected. The Government caucus is postponed till 3 o'clock this afternoon. LATER. Mr Macandrew, when Mr Hall's proposal was made to bim in favour of Mr Whitaker as Premier and other members of the Ministry to be selected alternately, scouted the proposal as absurd. The representative of Government who made the proposal on behalf of Mr Hall, admitted that the Ministry must resign to-morrow if they canuot get Supply. It is said that the Governor is much annoyed at the present position. AUCKLAND CAUCUS.

A caucus of Auckland members decided that a deputation consisiiug of Messrs Moss, Swanson, Hamlin, and Colbcck should wait on the Government to try aud get them to take over the City Improvement Commissioners property in the interest of Education.

THE MAORI MINISTER.

Mohi Tawhaia,M.H.R.,was to-day served with a 'vrit against his election at the suit of Sydney Taiwhanga on the ground of his being a Govcrnmeu. Assessor in receipt of pay at the time ot bis election. The petition against Tomoana by Hans Tapsell broke down through informalities. SUPPLY. There is said to be only a few thousand pounds available in the Treasury out of the last vote, aud the Government must ask for supplies on Tuesday. The Opposition will not refuse supply, but will tack on to tbe motion lo the Governor .^pressing want of confidence in Ministers. THE GOVERNOR AND MINISTERS. It is reported on the authority of a Ministerial supporter that the Governor on Saturday told Mr Hall the business of the country could not be suspended to keep any particular set of men in office. The Government must either obtain supplies on Tuesday or resign. The Opposition, in reply to overtures from Mr Hall's whips, replied they would grant supplies on condition that the no-contidence motion be debated immediately afterwards, and a division taken on , Wednesday. The Government supporters meet to-day to consider action. THE "NEW ZEALANDER'S" VERSION. The " New Zealander" gives the following version of the coalition proposals :—On Saturday the Hon. R. Campbell interviewed Mr J. C. Brown suggesting that a compromise should be cllccted between the Opposition parties. The subject was mooted to the leaders of the Opposition, and their ultimatum unreservedly expressed was this :—We will not consider the proposal for coalition, but we will give you our votes for granting reasonable supplies for public service if you will allow the uo-confidenco debate to come on immediately thereafter. Outside readers will understand that Mr Hall's Ministry are straining the forms of procedure to keep this debate low down on the order paper, swamping it by irrelevant notices of motion. The Uppo.itiou still await a reply of the Hall Miuistry, and the statement made by the " Post" is absolutely misleading, and bears every evidence of haviug been maliciously devised.

WHAT THE " TIMES " SAYS.

The "Times," referring to the fear of the Government to ask the House for supplies lest a no-couiidencc motion should come on, says:—"The trenches were opened for a little time again in front of Government House, and on Saturday last war was declared against Sir Hercules Robinson by his late responsible adviser, tho campaign being opened with a perfect storm of ' thunder and turf' from a two thousandpounder in the Grey redoubt on Lambton Quay. Supply has been, it is true, cut off, but the Governor in Government House has not yet suffered very much. Indeed a sortie was made on Saturday night, aud a considerable quantity of provisions successfully enrried off from the Legislative Council Chamber, where the Lords had established a depot for the relief of the besieged. ' No surrender' is now the cry. Mr Hall will not be given up till ho can be exchanged for Hiroki. Our latest advices, we are glad to say, inform us that his Excellency is as well as can be expected."

[Per Press Agency.]

THE GOVERNMENT ATTITUDE,

It is said that the Government will remain firm in their determination to keep back the want-of-confidence motion till such time as their measures of reform. have been passed oruegatived, perfectly regardless the Opposition grant supplies or not. IMMIGRATION. The following correspondence on immigration has been laid ou the table :— •'Minister of Immigration to AgentGeneral. " Immigration Office. " Wellington, 14th August, 1579. "Sir,—The question of continuing, undor the existing circumstances of the colony, the present system of free immigration has encaged the attention of the Government, and I have tho honor to communicate to you for your information and guidance tho following conclusions at which they have arrived on the subject. The engagements which, under instructions from this office, you havo already made for grauting free passages during the current financial year will result, as far as I am able to judge, in the despatch, at the entire cost of the colony, of three thousand immigrants. ' The telegrams (copies aunexed) have been sent to you to stop, so far as engagements which you have made will permit you to do so, further despatch of immigrants under the present terms, aud the future conduct of British emigration is to be on the following terms:—(l) The sum of livo pounds (£5) is to be paid in advance to the Government on account of each male immigrant, and you are to engage no passages unless previously advised that this sum has been paid in the colony or unless you have received it iv the United Kingdom. (2) Each immigrant is to be selected under proper inquiry by you out of the nominated list and from other applications received in your office, nominated persons to have priority. (3) Free passages may be given to female adults, married, who are not more than 45 years of age aud who have not more than throe children under 12 years of age. • all eligible. Single females will receive

passages upon the same terms as at present that is to say, free railway fares to port of embarkation,and of remission of the usual outfit money of £1 per statute adult. This new arrangement is to apply to emigrants whose passages have not been engaged and I shall be obliged by your informing mc a_ early as possible as to the probable number likely to avail themselves of the system during the present financial year. Respecting the special class of emigrants—farmers refeired to iv your letter of 21st May last' I have to state that while the Government have no objection to your endeavouring to make arrangements with the New Zealand Shipping Company ior passages ot these men and their families, it must be distinctly understood that no liability or responsibility is entailed thereby on the colony. The company must altogether look to the men themselves for all payment.and as informed by cablegram you arc not to afford any pecuniary assistance to this class of persons.—l have, etc., :"W. Gisborne,

" Minister for Immigration."

The Hon. the Premier to Agent-General. Wellington, New Zealand, August 12,1879' (Telegram) Immigration.—" Reduce the number ordered.—G. Geey."