The Opposition Caucus.

Hastings Standard, Issue 437, 28 September 1897, Page 2

The Opposition Caucus.

THE AWARUA SEAT

(By Telegraph.)

[From quk Special Reporter.]

Wellington, This daj. While there was a unanimity of opinion at the Opposition caucus that Mr Ward was ineligible to sit it was agreed that the matter should be treated in a spirit of fairness, and entirely outside party feeling. Most of the time was occupied in a desultory discussion over to be adopted. Mr George Hutchison expressed himself confident that the Awarua seat was vacant and that the proper course was to move for the issue of a new writ or that the matter should be referred to a committee of privilege, but it was eventually resolved, as I advised yesterday, that the first step would be to throw the onus of taking action on the Premier, for which purpose he will to-day be asked whether he is prepared to take any action. If not, or if the reply is unsatisfactory, the Leader of the Opposition will propose as a question of privilege (which must be dealt with without delay) that the seat be declared vacant, which will most assuredly give rise to a sharp debate. There was much dissatisfaction expressed at the caucus at the scandalously unfair nature of the sessional committees proposed to be set up owing to the enormous preponderance of Government supporters thereon. This will also lead to a sharp discussion in the House when it is proposed to set the committees up.