TUESDAY, AUGUST 29.

Clutha Leader, Volume III, Issue 112, 1 September 1876, Page 3

TUESDAY, AUGUST 29.

In the Legislative Council,

After some formal business; Colonel Whittriore complained of the want of courtesy shown to the Council by the Goverilm'ent in not informing the Council of rumored Ministerial changes.

Dr.JPollen said, if fchei Council would adjourn till 7;30> he would make a

similar statement; to that to be delivered in the House of Representatives.

In the House of Representatives,

Ten days' leave of absence was granted to Mr Williams. Mr Murray- Aynsley asked if the Government intended this session bringing down a bill to amend the Regulation of Elections Act, so that the nominations of members may be written nominations, and not by show of hands. The Premier said it was proposed to take the question into serious consideration during" the recess, with a view of bringing down a measure on the subject.

The Abolition Financial Arrangements. Bill was discharged from the Order Paper with the view of bringing down a new bill that would be more in harmony with the Counties Bill. The Public Works Bill was also discharged with a view of being first introduced in the Legislative Council. The Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill, was further considered in Committee. The following 1 Bills passed : — Rating Bill and Building- Societies Bill. In Committee on the .Debtors and Creditors Bill, in clause 14-, making the registrar trustee in the first instance, Mr Stout moved the insertion of the words "unless some person be appointed provisional trustee." As this was directly opposed to the principle of the bill, th 3 Government opposed the amendment, and the House divided, the result being that the amendment was rejected by 31 against 16. The clause was then passed in the original form.

The remainder of the afternoon was occupied oh the bill without any material alteration being effected.

At the evening sitting,

I The Premier said, in reference to the promise he mada on Friday, that it was very well known to all hon. members I that ever since the appointment of Agent-General his name had been connected with it in one way or another. The Premier then made a personal explanation to the effect that while at Home he was so ill as to make a speedy return to the Colony unadvisable, and that, while there, certain inducements-of a pecuniary nature had been held out to him to remain ; but though his health was such as to make a lengthy stay in England advisable, yet feeling- that his return to New Zealand would be looked for, he came back as soon as his health permitted, and on his return he informed his colleagues that he feared the state of his health would preclude him remaining- long in the Colony (and his experience this session had not changed this opinion), and probably prevent him taking part in public life any more. Hs had discovered, too, that public life was inconsistent with attention to one's own affairs. Considering' he had been 17 years in public life in New Zealand, he thought the welfare of his family had claims upon him that he was not justified in ignoring. He hoped that under these circumstances he would not be accused of deserting his post. Upon his return to the Colony, and when his colleagues were kind enough to request him to resume the Premiership, he told them he could not retain office long, and that as soon as they could relieve him he would be pleased. At that time it was not known that any vacancy •would occur in the Agent-Generalship. When he had been asked on two occasions what was to ba done regarding the Agent-Generalship; the matter had not been referred to in the Cabinet, but within the last eight ' or ten days they had discussed the majter, ' and bis colleagues, being aware that he was not going to remain long in the Colony, suggested his acceptance of the office. On his return he told them that in any case he-, could not promise to perform the duties of the office for longer than 12 or 18 months. It was manifestly impossible that he could appoint himself Agent- General ; so that the office remained still open. Under the circumstances the only course open to him was to place his resignation in the hands of his Excellency,- which he did, advising him to send for Major Atkin- .' son, who had been sent for, and who waited upon the Governor at 5.30. The Premier' then went On to say that New Zealand- was the land where he formed his dearest ties, and the land to which he owed what reputation or distinction he possessed, and he only hoped some future day to be able to take part in the affairs of the country. It was not without sorrow and regret that he was pursuing this course, though he felt he was doing what was right, Major Atkinson informed the Ho^ise that his Excellency had honored him by asking him to form a Government, and that he requested a day of two to consult with his friends. He thought it was reasonable; therefore; that be should ask the House to adjourn till half-past 7 on Tuesday. Mr Rolle'ston said that the situation was one of an unprecedented character — the resignation of a Ministry that had existed longer than any other in this country because of a vacancy in a subordinates office in the Government. The Premier now asked the opinion of the House on this subject* arid he felt he should not be fulfilling his duty if he did not express his opinion that the country had not had ihat confidence placed in it which ought to have been. I The Premier had done his- .colleagues a , ■ wrong. It was new to him that the

Premier owed __ hU existence to his colleagues. There were many men who had sacrificed their health and their all in the service of a country, but it should not be pleaded as a justification that the Premier was resigning office on the ground of ill health, the precedent was a most dangerous one, and he hoped an opportunity would be afforded for the discussion of this question. Mr Andrew said it was unusual to speak to a question of this kind, but it was very strange that in the middle of a session, with a glowing majority, and whilst great constitutional questions were being discussed, the leader of the Government should resign in order to take a petty office in London. He regretted that the state of the Premier's health should compei him to forfeit the public esteem.

Mr Stout thought that neither of the previous speakers had adopted a constitutional course in bringing 1 on a discussion on the question of adjournment the Ministry had resigned. He declined to go into discussion, and hoped the House would consent to the adjournment.

The House then adjourned.