SPECIAL TELEGRAM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6736, 18 September 1883, Page 2

SPECIAL TELEGRAM.

IFEOM OUH OWN CORBESPONDKNT.)

Wellington, September 17. All the members of tho Ministry (including Mr Oliver) are expected to assemble in Wellington the day after to-morrow, to deal in Cabinet with several rtatters of grave importance which connot conveniently be delayed, and which cannat properly be dealt with except by the. full Cabinet. These will include tho decision as to which Minister shall represent New Zealand at the approaching Australian Conference relative to Pacific island annexation; taking steps preparatory to tho now Bankruptcy Act coming into force, including the appointment of official.assignees; finally reviewing and deciding upon th 6 case of George Longhurst; and other matters of public importance. The news received to-day concerning Mr Bryce's interview with Major Kemp is considered specially satisfactory, as implying the removal of another incipient Native difficulty. Kemp has been behaving excellently for some time past, since his outrageous display of turbulence and lawlessness compelled the Government to removo him from the assessorship, and it was determined that when Mr Brycer met him byegones should be byegones if he conducted himself properly. This was duly acted upon, and, judging from the official accounts received of the interview, there seems every reason to anticipate that tho restored cordiality will not again be disturbed. Strenuous exertions are being used to get the new Acts printed and issued as soon as possible. Tho Government printers ara working hard, and other departments complain they can get nothing done 'at tho1 printing-office because statutes block the way. There has beeu a recollection, however, of the frightful grumbling and worry produced by last year's delay, and so every effort is being made to bring out the Acts with all practicable expedition. A large number are already completed, and a comparatively brief period will see them all out. Among the oarliest put in hand was the new Bankruptcy Act, of which I have just succeeded in obtaining an advance copy. In its present shape, as it finally left Parliament, it oxtends to 49 pages, and numbers 235 clauses. Without pretending to givo an exhaustive analysis of this bulky Act, I may just say that tho greater portion is a more reproduction of former laws on the' subject. Its chief features of novelty are : (1) llelegating the administration of bankrupt estates to official assignees instead of leaving it in the hands of trustees elected by creditors. (2) Providing for summary punishment of fraudulent debtors by process of Bankruptcy Court instead of committing for trial before a jury as under the present system, which renders convictions for this offence almost impossible to secure. (3) Making bankruptcy essential to tho validity of a composition with creditors, so that no man can compound with his creditors without first making himself a bankrupt under the Act. I lind the chief authorities are by no meanß expectant that this Act represents finality in bankruptcy legislation. The general feeling is that it is merely an experiment, and its results doubtful.