SPECIAL PARLIAMENTARY TELEGRAMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1242, 18 September 1875, Page 9

SPECIAL PARLIAMENTARY TELEGRAMS.

(FROM OUR WELLINGTON CORRESPONDENT.)

September 11th. Forty seven members attended the Government caucus to-day (Saturday), when Ministers submitted the Opposition proposals, their own counter-proposals, and the Opposition reply as arranged at the interview with Sir George Grey, Messrs Macandrew, Fitzherbert, and IloJleston.

Last night there was some rather warm discussion. Mr Bryce greatly blamed the Government for listening to auy terms, and warned them not to depend on i im any more in consequence.

Mr Stafford urged a fair compromise, but objected to the word "either" in the Government's counter-proposal, as very likely to incense the Council. He moved, as an amendment, that the wi r.l " both" should be substituted. As the discussion proceeded, however, it becamo evident thac the Government party were as averse to accepting the counter proposals as the original proposal, and Mr Stafford's amendment dropped. He subsequently moved a resolution that the party would not approve of the proposals put before them, but that the Government be at liberty to receive any other. The Opposition might make any such further proposals to be submitted to another caucus on Monday. This was carried almost unanimously. The only members who appeared favourable to the proposals were Messrs O'Conor, Gibbs, and Creighton, who are now gently put down as black sheep and probable deserters by the Government party. The general result of the expression of opinion by the caucus was that the party were quite willing to agree that the Bdl should be so amende 1 that it should not come into operation till thirty dayo (or even a longer period) after the meeting of the new Parliament, but they would not consent to any resolution of either or both Houses being required to bring it into force, or to intercept its being brought into for^e ; that, in fact, the date must be a definite one.

There were twenty- three at the Opposition caucus, and the greatest unanimity prevailed. They approved of all oir Uqw^ Grey and Messrs Kitzlitrbort, Rolleston, and Macaudrew had done, an! agreed to leave the futu-e conduct of tho negotiations to them, and accept whatever they agreed to. In the Cabiutt it is s;iid t>r Polleu and Major Atkinson are strongly opposed to any compromise, while Messrs Reynolds, Bowen, M'Lean, and Richardson are very anxious to settle the matter quietly. Those likely to be be t informed think that a definite arrangement Will probably be come to on Monday.