STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 248, 26 October 1897, Page 5

STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER.

IMPORTANT MATTERS DISCUSSED,

EARLY CLOSE OF THE SESSION

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, this day

From various sources I am enabled to give the following as a fairly reliable statement of the proceedings at the Ministerial caucus held this forenoon :—

There were 41 members present.

The Premier, in introducing the proceedings, read a letter from Mr Lawry excusing his absence, but expressing a hope that steps would be taken to secure consolidation of the Government party* Mr Seddon then said there was great dissatisfaction amongst the great bulk of the party in regard to the action of two or three members who claimed to he members of the party, and the time had now arrived when the question should be decided whether the Government or the Opposition were to carry on the business of the country. The first question he would submit was as to taking private members' days. This was an exceptional session, and it. was quite clear that if the Government were to transact the business which they wished put through during the session private members' days must be sacrificed. He sympathised with private members, because he was once a private member himself, but.still the inevitable position was that there must be a decision as to whether the Government were to rule in the House or not.

Mr Fisher, referring to the action of Messrs Smith, Pirani, Montgomery and Taylor, said, while independence of character was one thing, their conduct was indefensible. He protested against Sir Robert Stout's myrmidons coming to a Government caucus and listening to what transpired. He could assure the Government and all Ministerial supporters present that if they submitted longer to any dictation from those members, that if there was any " kowtowing" to them on the floor of the House, lie would solve the position independently for himself by walking across the floor of the House and uniting with the Opposition. The position of the Government in future must not be dependent on the will of these four members.

Mr Morrison hoped there would be no more acceptance of the dictation or views of these four members. He cordially endorsed the remarks of Mr Fisher that if the Government played into the hands of these four members he for his own part would follow the course which he. had gapped out for himself.

The caucus lasted nearly a couple of hours.

It was decided with only two dissentients that should an adverse motion be tabled by the Opposition regarding Mr Seddon's con nection with the Anglo-Continental or foreign syndicates, the party, despite their personal opinions in the matter, would oppose it. It was agreed on the voices not to adjourn for the Christehurch Show and races or for the Palmerston North Show, the feeling of members being to stick to business with a view to bringing the session to a close. The Premier told the caucus he hoped to prorogue on December 15th. Mr Fisher and Mr Morrison suggest the exclusion of the left wing from the caucus but no action was taken.