THE ARRANGEMENT.

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

THE ARRANGEMENT.

There is now no doubt that matters will be arranged on the basi-s that the Abolition Act does not come into force till the last day of next session. Sir George Grey U the only obstruction ; the other three cbk-f« and their warty are watistied with leaving- it to a new Parliament to repeal the Act, if desirable ; but bir George Grey wants the Act to bo brought into operation by proclamation, so that a. majority of the Lower House would practicallynave control of the matter, and it would bebeyond the power of the Legislative Council tw nnerfere. He will, however, be overruled and must yield m this. Minister-i and the four Opposition chiefs met together again tt»-nMit-to arrange fiual terms, and the Opposition wilt have another caucus 10-niorrow to confirm at to-day's caucus. The question of granting a further imprest supply was discussed. Home members wished to .oppose ttuy further supply till tho question; of Abolition wan disposed of. The majoiity however, said that under any circumstanced the necessary services of the couutiy must be provided for, and even if no agreement were twine to on the other question, no objection sboald be offered to supplies being granted from month to month, at -last this plan prevailed and was! adopted. The Post, after narrating the progress of fcbcJ negotiations between the Government .and the Opposition, says we must say that we think the Government and their supporters, in consenting to the terms originally suggested by us, Home ten days ago, that the Act should only come into force at the end of next session of Parliament, have made every cwiceS' sum which could reasonably be expected from them. In fact, they have done more, and have shown a more conciliatory spirit than wa had any right to expect from tnem. The principle for which tho Opposition have b«m contending irf most fully conceded in tho proposed compromise, and if the Opposition refuse to accept such honourable terms, they will certaii%place themselves in the wrong iv the eyes of the country, mid -will bring discredit ovej themotives by which they have hitherto pr,-jfe hS eul to be actuated. The concession now offered i& sufficient to satisfy the most punctilious stklder for the constitutional right of the yeojAs to express an opinion on the proposed constitutional 1 , change •. It will satisfy the country, and if ifc does not satisfy the Opposition in Parliament , so much the worse for that Opposition. '*