THE POLITICAL CRISIS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 292, 9 December 1893, Page 5

THE POLITICAL CRISIS.

TWO MINISTERS RESIGN. |fc PARLIAMENT PROROGUED. ™* Sydney, December 8. - What makes the presenb political crisis ' unique is the fact thab the old Electoral ' Acb has ceased to exisb, while the new. Act, providing for single seats and the principle of one-man-one-vote, is not yet in operation. The machinery of the Acb is now being prepared, and it is possible ib will bo February before any election can be held ; therefore, in the event of a new Government being formed, there is no machinery to re-eleob them to their seats on taking office.

Speaking in the Legislative Assembly thia afternoon, Sir G. R. Dibbs said he regarded last night's vote as a snatch one. He announced thab shortly after the crucial division was taken he received the resignation of Messrs Barton and O'Connor of their respective portfolios in the Ministry, and had he (Sir G. R. Dibbs) consulted his own personal desirea, he would also have resigned immediately, but he felb thab a change cf Government ab the present time would bring about confusion and chaos. The Cabineb had not yeb decided what action they wonld take with regard to tho two resignations. Ab the close of his speech, Sir G. R. Dibbs placed a proclamation proroguing Parliament till January 16 in the hands of the Speaker, and remarked that they would then see whether the country was for or againsb the Government. MrG. H. Reid, leader of the Opposition, Bpeaking on the subject after Sir G. R. Dibbs' announcement, said a trick had been played upon the Governor, and an insulb offered to the Speaker, because the Legislative Assembly had prorogued before, tho Speaker took the chair, and consequently the House had norighb to meet as had been done.

At an Opposition caucuß to-day general satisfaction was expressed that the Governmsnb had decided to go to the country rather than place the responsibility of forming a Government on the shoulders of the Opposition* but exception was taken to the manner in which the Government had acted, Some members present blamed the Governor for showing a partizau spirit.