NEW SOUTH WALES POLITICS.

Otago Witness, 14 December 1893, Page 16

NEW SOUTH WALES POLITICS.

A CRISIS. (Per Press Association.)

Sydney, December 8,

The Government deciding to take Mr Lee's motion with reference to Attorneygeneral Barton's holding a brief from Mr Proudfoot in his action against the Railway Commissioners in the ordinary way, Mr Lea sought to gain his end by moving tbe adjournment of the House last night in order to discuss the matter. A long debate followed, resulting in the defeat of the Government by G9 to 48. Sir G. R. Dibbs said the attack was not upon Mr Barton, but upon the Government, and declared that he was quite prepared to abide by the result.

After the House adjourned Mr Reid, leader of the Opposition, expressed tbe opinion that the Government would remain in office until the electors repeated last night's dose. Mr M'Millan was al-:o interviewed, and he thought the best course the Government could pursue was to pass tbe Estimates, and go to the country as soon a3 the electoral machinery could be put in order.

The debate itself was rather tarns, and ended unexpectedly.

The Sydney Morning HeralJ considers the decision of the House shows that Mr Barton's action admits of no argument, but disapprobation should not have involved the downfall of the Ministry. It attributes the result more to the tactics of the Government in baulking tho discussion on Mr Lee's motion. The Daily Telegraph says that when Mr Lee, by a sort of coup d'etat, placed himself suddenly and inexplicably in command of the Opposition; he scored an admitted success, but proved dismally unequal to the responsibility, and plunged the country into political chaos unprecedented in the history of the colony, and the way out of it it is impossible at the present time to foresee. A vote of confidence, if moved immediately, would show whether the real object of the House was to vindicate a principle or precipitate a crisis.

What makes the present political crisis unique is the fact that the old Electoral Act has ceased to exist, while the new act providing for single seats and for the principle of one-man-one-vote is not yet in oparation. The machinery of the act is now being prepared, and it is possible it will be February before any election can be held. Therefore, in the event of a new Government being formed, there is no machinery to re-elect them to their seats on taking office.

Speaking in the Legislative Assembly this afternoon Sir George Dibbs said he regarded last night's vote as a snatch one. He announced that shortly after the crucial division was taken he received the resignations by Messrs Barton and O'Connor of their respective portfolios in the Ministry, and had he (Sir G. Dibbs) consulted his own personal desires he would ateo have resigned immediately, but he felt that a change of Government at the present time would bring about confusion and chaos. The Cabinet had not yet decided what action they would take with regard to the two resignations. At the close of his speech, Sir George Dibbs placed a proclamation proroguing Parliament till January 16 in the hands of the Speaker, and remarked that they would then see whether the country was for or against the Government. Mr G. H. Reid, the leader of the Opposition, speaking on the subject after Sir G. Dibbs's announcement, said a trick had beeu pliyed upon the Governor, and an insult offered to the Speaker, because the L°gisla ive Assembly bad prorogued before the Speaker took the chair, and consequently the House had no right to meet, as had been done.

At an Opposition caucus to-day general satisfaction was expressed that the Government had decided to go to the country rather than place the responsibility of forming a Government on the shoulders of the Opposition, but exception was taken to the manner in which the Government had acted. Some members present blamed the Governor for showing a partisan spirit. December 9. Mr Barton, the ex- Attorney-general, thinks it would have been wiser if Premier Dibbs had accepted the resignations of Mr O'Connor and himself, and then tendered the resignation of the Ministry to the Governor, who must be assumed to know exactly the course which should be adopted ia the interests of the country. Having resigned, he knew nothing of the intentions of tbe Government until the announcement was made in the House. While the effect was dramatic, it was an error of judgment, and it would have been better if the Speaker had been informed of the prorogation.

Mr Reid, leader of the Opposition, characterised the action as a melancholy farce. The unbroken practice has always been to post the proclamation pororoguing Parliament on the outer door of the Assembly.

Sir H. Parkes said the action was the most intensely stupid thing he could have dreamed of men doing, and to a large extent was an act of political suicide. Some of the supporters of the Ministry approve of the course adopted, while others consider the Ministry should have recoa-

structed and have completed the important measures before the House. The Labour party are considerably annoyed that so much useful legislation has been abandoned, but failed to see how any other vote could have been taken. The Herald states that the Ministry, in advising prorogation, refused to recognise the authority and opinion expressed by the House, and says it is hard to find in constitutional history a parallel for the present proceedings. The Daily Telegraph states that the effect is to completely nullify responsible government and to give six weeks' uncontrolled power to a Ministry under the paia of censure. December 11. The leader of the Labour party in the House (Mr Cook) says that, owing to the action of the Government in the present crisis, the whole power of the party, which hitherto was not unfriendly towards the Government, will now be arrayed against them. Sir H. Parkes condemns the Governor's action in connection with the present crisis, and thinks if there is any public spirit in the colony representations will be made to the Secretary of State for the Colonies on the subject of the stoppage of Parliament. Sir Henry contends that it means nothing short of an intention of the DibUs Government to do what they are doing behind the back of Parliament and in defiance of the people. The Governor (Sir R. W. Duff) states that the whole crisis ha 3 ari3en through there being no constituencies. He admits that according to constitutional precedents the SDvereign should not accept prorogation as a means of evading Micisfcerial defeat, and should require either the dissolution of Parliament or the resignation of the Government ; but in consequence of the Opposition allowing the Government to pass a measure repealing the electoral law, he was entirely at the mercy of the Government and could not appoint their successors, for their successors could not be elected. The effect of the Opposition allowing the Repeal Bill to pa--s was to make Sir G. Dibbs dictator of the country. Under ordinary circumstances he would have declined to prorogue Parliament, bit he was left no choice in the matter.

There is very little fresh to relate in connection with the political situation. It is understood the Opposition will make an effort to call a large public meeting with Sir H. Parkes in the chair, Mr H. Reid to be chief speaker. The Ministry are in Cabinet this evening, and it is expected they will arrive at some decision respecting the resignations of Messrs Barton and O'Connor. His Excellency the Governor sent for Mr Reid, leader of the Opposition, to-day, and discussed the situation with him. It is understood his Excellency desired to be in touch with both political parties. December 12. The Cabinet has accepted the resignation of Messrs Barton and O'Connor, but has done nothing the direction of filling the vacancies Mr M'Millan says that the more closely the action of the Government is investigated the more outrageous it appears. It is absurd to say that no other course was open to the Government, for several courses were open to adoption. All sections of the House think that a motion of censure will be carried within 48 hours of Parliament meeting in January.