VICTORIA. MINISTERIAL CRISIS!

North Otago Times, Volume VI, Issue 110, 29 March 1866, Page 3

VICTORIA. MINISTERIAL CRISIS!

Melbourne, March 16th. On Tuesday, after a debate that lasted until near midnight, the Legislative Council rejected the Tariff Bill by 20 to 8. The Ministry resigned. On Thursday, the Governor sent for Mr Fellows, who advised that the Protectionists should have the opportunity of forming a ministry, if able to do bo. Dr Enibling was accordingly empowered ; but nothing like a list has ycfc been circulated. It is reported that if Dr Embling fails, Mr Fellows will submit a list to the Governor.

March 17th. It is understood that Dr Enabling has not been very successful, and the greatest excitement prevails. In the Assembly yesterday, it was ordered on tho motion of Mr M'Culloch that Hugh Q-eorge, publisher of the " Argus," bo brought to the bar on Tuesday next, for having been guilty of a scandalous breach of privilege in a leading article published on the previous day, and which commenced thus : — " Tho statement of the Chief Secretary, "when announcing, yesterday afternoon, the resignation of tho Ministers, fairly bristled with falsehoods." Mr Levi moved that the publisher of the " Leader" be brought to the bar for a libel against him published on the 3rd inst., but the motion was withdrawn. Mr Cope moved a resolution pledging the House to withhold its confidence from any administration " refusing or neglecting to adopt forthwith the Bill of Supply." Four motions for adjourning the debate were negatived. Mr Aspinall said that ho would sit until doomsday, rather than allow the majority to pass such important resolutions at so late an hour. Mr Langton introduced a privilege motion against Mr Byrne, for threatening outside the House to take steps to resent expressions used by Mr Langton in his place in tho House. At five o'clock in tho morning, strangers were ordered to withdraw ; and at seven, the House adjourned until eleven o'clock.