PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1082, 8 October 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

Welllxotox, October 7. In the Council to-day, after some formal business, Colonel Whitmore proposed the postponement of all business on the Order Paper, as he and his colleagues were about leaving office, and he wished to undertake no further business. Colonel Whitmore then thanked the Council and the Speaker for their kindness and assistance, and hoped any hasty word spoken in heat would be forgotten. He had accepted office with diffidence, feeling doubts as to his competence, and his doubts were not wholly removed by his two j'ears experience ; but he had done his best, though without the forbearance and assistance of his brother councillors even partial success would havo been impossible. The lion, gentleman was loudly cheered on sitting down. Sir F. D. Bell read a letter from Mr. Hall, explaining that in the unsettled state of affairs the Council would think it well to adjourn for a few days, whGn he hoped to be prepared with a Ministry and a policy that would satisfy the Assembly, the Governor, and the Colony. Sir F. D. Bell explained that the circumstance that the letter was sent to him had no political significance. The Council adjourned from 2.45 until 4 o'clock, when it met to deal with an Imprest Supply Bill, but as the Bill had not been sent up, the Council again adjourned until the usual hour next day. In the House of Representatives today, The Speaker notified the receipt of a petition against the election of the two members for Auckland City West. He added that before the matter was enquired into the petition would require to be on the table of the House for ten days, to allow of objections being stated to the securities lodged. Mr. Hislop submitted, as a point of order, that, as the petition was directed against two members, the form of the Act could not be complied with under these circumstances. He submitted that the petition as framed could not be received. The Speaker ruled that the point raised was one to be decided at a subsequent period. Oil the motion of Mr. Hursthouse, Friday, the 17th day of October, was appointed to inquire into the allegations contained in the petition. The Speaker further notified the receipt of a petition from Mr. E. Richardson against the election of Sir George Grey for Christchurch City. On the motion of Mr. Bowen, Friday, the 37th instant, was fixed to inquire into the allegations. The same day was, on Mr. Bowen's motion, fixed for its consideration.

The Premier rose to mate, a personal explanation. A short time ago the remarks he made concerning the result of the famine in Ireland had been called into question by the member for Grey and Bell, by whom it wa3 alleged that these results had been greatly exaggerated. He quoted from an authority on the subject to prove that what he stated was literally correct. His remarks about the hardening effects of the land laws on the minds of the landlords had also been questioned. In support of the statement he then made, he quoted from a speech made by the Premier of England (Lord Beaconsfield), as published in the London Times. Col. Trimble said that if the contextwere read a very different construction would be put upon those quotations from ihe one attempted to bo given them by the lion, member. The Speaker said the matter could not be further considered just- then, and the House adjourned for half-an-hour to allow of the Address in Reply being presented to the Governor. On resuming, the Speaker read the reply made by the Governor, in which he stated he was at all times anxious that his responsible advisers should be in accord with representatives in Parliament, and that he had taken measures with the view of forming a new Government. The Premier said he wished to explain 011 behalf of himself and colleagues that they had placed their resignations in the hands of the Governor, who had been pleased to request that they would retain office until their successors had been appointed, and that, therefore, they only occupied their present position until a new Government had been formed.

Mr. Hall said that yesterday afternoon he had been sent for by the Governor, ' and requested to take upon himself the duty of forming a new Government. After conversation with His Excellency, he had undertaken to do so. Since then he had been engaged in that task, but as the House would readily understand, he had not yet succeeded in completing arrangements. He would, therefore, ask for an adjournment to enable him to make the necessary arrangements. He intended to have asked the adjournment until Thursday, but as he understood the Premier wanted certain supplies voted immediatelj', he would ask for an adjournment until to-morrow, with the understanding that on supplies being voted the House would agree to a further adjournment until Friday, when he be enabled to announce the formation of a new Government which would command the approval of the House. In seconding the motion, the Premier said he did so on the distinct understanding that he did not in any way commit himself to the opinion that the new Government would command the approval of the House. At 3.30 the House adjourned until tomorrow at 2.30. October 8. The House to-day presented a petition from Hans Tapsell against Tamoana's return. An Imprest Supply Bill of L 200,000 is now being passed.