September 13th. THE SITUATION.

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

September 13th. THE SITUATION.

Nothing new has transpired in reference to the political situation. Before the result of the Government; caucus on Monday was made known to the Opposition, the chiefs of the latter wrote saying they accepted and agreed to the Government proposals ; then came the letter saying the caucus has refused to endorse these. The Cabinet had a lone sitting t)-dav. Mr Fiizherbert did not come into town till four o'clock, and, const.juently no me t tin« of Opposition le<Klrrs was held ; but it v understood Ministers will again meet Sir George Grey, Messrs Fiizherbert, Mac^ndrew, and Rolleston to-night Sir George Grey is understood to he very averse to any further yield, but he will probably be over-ruled. The other three are very anxious a settlement shou'd be arrived at, now the main point, that abolision f>hal not take place until after the new Parliament meets, has been cancelled. Sir George objects to giving the Legislative Council any say m the matter next session urging that a resolution of the Lower House alone should be necessary to stop the Act coming into operation. The Government party blame their leaders very muob. for the aotion they kave taken, and, this abolition question once finally disposed of, a direct vote of want of confidence would have a- very good ohaDce of being carried. There Is scarcely a doubt that a compromise must be arrived^ at now. Neither party c»u regain the position they occupied ou Friday after- j noon. The Government have gone too far to allow any hope of their being able to resume the fight with any show of success, and moderate counsels on both sides are pretty sure to prevail.

September 14th. THE POLITICAL SITUATION. The Post to-night publishes the following j— On the evening of the third (?) conferences be^ twoem the Government and Sir George Grey Messrs Fitzherbert, Macandrew, and Rolleston wore held, and long discussion took place. The Opposition made the following proposals : " That the Act should not come into operation except upon a proclamation of the Governor issued subsequent to the close of the first session of the new Parliament." To which' the Government repljed by submitting fche follow. >Qf popopitigne, which, jf a^ 9 m

Ministers would recommend for adoption by their friends : (1.) The Abolition of the Provinces Bill to come into operation on the 4th day after the opening of the first session of the new Parliament. (2.) That point being conceded, the details of the Bill now before the House shall be fairly considered in Committe e and settled in the usual course without unreasonable opposition. (3.) That Provincial Councils shall not meet again. That departmental appropriations bhall be provided for by an Act, of the Assembly at the rates now voted, until the close of the next session— the administration as already established being carried on. (4. ) That from the present date no contracts f t r works on which any |>üblic money may become payable shall be entered into by any Provii - rial Government without the consent of the Governor.

Ihe Premier suggested to the meeting that the Act should come into force at the end of the next session, unless repealed. After a discussion, a resolution to this effect was put and carried.

Mr Stafford said that tiie negotiations had been conducted with very great skill. The chief object was to get the Act on the Statute Book. It was not of so much importance on what particular day it should come into operation. He quite approved of the proposal of the Government as to the Act coming into force at the end of next session, but hoped the party would concede nothing further. He then moved the following resolution, which was carried—" That this meeting having learned the result of the interviews between Government and the Opposition, and the opinions of the Government thereon, is satisfied to leave the final decision in the hands of the Government upon the basis of the final proposals submitted to the meeting."

Mr O'Conor objected to the proposal not to allow Provincial Councils to sit again, and to all works being done by the General Government. It was impossible to have to wait for reference to Wellington for every ten pouucl job.

Major Atkinson pointed out that the Go\*errment only intended to use their power to check the expenditure on works for which the Provincial Councils had voted money far beyond their own revenue. The ordinary details of at', ministration would go on as -before, Govern, ment finding the money that would have been available for the Provincial Governments. The Government would also make proper provisions for local bodies.

The meeting then separated.

The Opposition also had a caucus, which lasted upwards of two hours. A very strong feeling was expressed that the Abolition Aofc should only come into operation 40 days after the new Parliament met could not be ente;« tamed. While the caucus was sitting it- became known that tho Government meeting had agreed that the Act should not come into force until the end of next session. A very general feeling was then expressed that this was a fait 1 concession, and one which should be accepted! As, however, no official intimation had been received, it was detei mined that the Government should be asked not to bring on the que: « tion to-day, so as to allow further lime to ar range a settlemen'. The Government has postponed until to-moi-row the further progress with the Bill, so as to allow time for the compromise, to the terms of which both parties are now really agreed, to be formally ratified and settled.