THE MINISTERIAL CRISIS. GOVERNMENT VICTORY. A MAJORITY OF TEN.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 232, 10 December 1887, Page 13

THE MINISTERIAL CRISIS. GOVERNMENT VICTORY. A MAJORITY OF TEN.

Wi.MiiwroN, December 8. 'The developments which have followed the -reverse snfibred by Uio Government on the Repicscntdtion Bill kept the lobbies in a • state of excitement all day yesterday. The .gravity of tho situation was shown by the very large attendance at the caucus of the party, and by the zeal ■with which the Opposition ■whips were ■working to secure a confirmation of the defeat. The Premie 1 ' was blamed by some of his own supporters for making this a party question, but tho majority are convinced that a determined stand had at last become impet ative. There.aroa number of membeit> insincere in their huntings retrenchment pledge-?. They were very strong before Major Atkinson took office in insisting on " drastic " retrenchment, but could hardly have expected that he would ha\e brought down kuoli sweeping measures in such a short period. Now that he has done so he declares e\ery one must be ghen eflect to >or he will retire from office. The attitude which he took up yesterday morning has the position of the Government, with the House. The Caucus. The eiHs being now at an end, there is no necejviity for me to amplify the outline given yesterday afternoon of the proceedings at the (loveniment caucus. In view ot die present position of pauies, the names of those present at the caucus will bo interesting to your readers: — Pyke (Chairman), Beetham, Pcaison, G. F. Richardson, Whyte, 1-ard, Wilson, T. Thompson, JR. Thompson, McArthui, Buchanan, Moat, Dodson, Fulier, O'Conor, Oimond, Hodgkinson, Fergus, Uhodet-j Allen, Ivusjcll, Scobie MeKenue, Barron, Cargill, Hobba, McGteyor, Jack-on, Graham, Withy, Monk. Mai chant, Fulton, T. McKenzie, Se} incur, Goldio, Peacock, Cowan, liruco, Valentine, Hamhn, lloss, Tah\hanga, Andcison, MKchel-aon, llusseil, Tanner, Atkinson, Hialop, Menteath, Taipua. Further Consideration ol tlie Bill. The consideration of the Representation Bill -ua& resumed in Committee immediately upon tho assembling of tho House in the afternoon. All the galleries were well filled, and the members were present in full force. Consideration of the objectionable amendment was deferied till the remainder ot the measure had been disposed of. The first division was taken on the p.opo^l by Mr .Seddon that the bill ohould 110b be brought into operation until after the next ceiioUa of the population had been taken. This was rejected by 49 to 28. Increase of Four Members. The Premier then moved, "That the imiiibei of members should be 74 instead of 70, lour ot these being natives." This amendment was proposed in accordance v, itii a pioinise made to Mr Peacock at the crarj 's. The intention ot the amendment v,u- V) -eeuie that the two islands might be proper!) represented in pioportion to their European population. That proportion v a= a\ 4 -7 tn& to 3-7ths, and it was therefore cons-I'K.'ied desirable to have the number of European members divisible by seven. »Se\cnt\ avos, theretore, considered to be the n o^~ biiuablo. This amendment v, as carried b\ 49 to 29. Town Versus Country. Tlii , question was again raited by Mr W alkei , who moved that tho quota for city c ot toialc^in Auckland, Wellington, Chri&tclurch and Danedin, should be double the Dumber of those in all other electorates. Unless this was done he thought the cities would have far too much power. The Premier urged the withdrawal of the amendment, a- the time was not opportune to deal with the quota. He agieed entirely that ihe couuuy should ha\e a laiger pro| oitionate lepve&entation than towns. Mr Bruce al:-o urged that the amendment be wilhdiuwn, as the country members had been ino^ ing m the matter and were satisbea v. ii.li the piomi-je from the Premier that an opportunity would be given next session no cou^iuci- the quc&tion of quota. JSlr Walkei thuefoie withdrew his amendment, and Mr J. 13. Whyte abandoned another i-.men liiiy..u of v. hich he had given notice, pio\r<!i.jg foi the increase of allowance in .ta'vour ot country clistiiets from 18 to 25 per ccir... Mr Soddon took up this latter ameudmui 11,1 1, and iii van negatived by 48 to 34. More Scone-walling. The stonewalling tactics were again rcbortcd to, <md nearly two hours wasted in discM^s-iou oi the propo&al by Mr Seddon, that piogio&s should be reported and that the Speaker bhould leave tlie chair. Both were negatived by large majoiitics, but not until Mts-ro yeddoit, Walker, Samuel, and otheiishad thoroughly wearied the House. IvJr toeddon then took his departure from the Chamber, and dining his absence the iiou.se negatived, by 47 to 19, his amendment, t'uiu the bill MjOulcl not come into foice till tho boundaries fixed by Coir.mi'-f-ionei'?' desciintionthereot had been laid on tlie table of tho House, fixing the bonndtiiies. D< . Fitchetb made an attempt to hu\ onpi o « r iso in&ei'ted in Clause 3 calling on tlie Go' cmor to direct the CommisMoneio to map oat the new boundaries AvitLin six montiifi. The proposal was opposed by the Premier, JMesM-& Fish and K. Kecves, on the ground that an accession of population to the colony befoic next geneial election might be expected, and that it was therefore inadvisable to fix the boundaiicb at present. The amendment v, a.i negatived by 48 to 25. Mining Electorates. The fact that tho country members did not choose at the present stage to insist en their rights, to far as increasing the quota tf« concerned did not deter Mr Seddon from endeavouring to get special consideration for tho goldfields districts. He moved that the percentage in such districts should be increased from 18 to 25 per cent. Mr Taylor expressed a hope that no special iacihties would be given to goldfields districts. Mr Seddon again resorted to o.bptructive tactics and talked of nothing in particular lor more than an hour, the bell being frequently rung to secure a quorum during that period. j Amalgamation of City Electorates. A new clause, having for its object the amalgamation of electorate)!! of l>unedin, Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland, was proposed by Dr. JFitchett, who said 1 that in Dunedin there was. a great feel : ing of dissatisfaction regarding the present system of ward representatives. The Premier said he could not accept the amendment, which was inopportune ab the present time, but promised thab an opportunity for careful consideration of the question should be given next session. Messrs Downing, Stewart, and Allen, Dr. Newman, Messrs Seddon, W. P. Reeves, and Mills spoke in support of proposal, but in consequence of the Premier's statement thab the present time was inopportune for passing the clause, Messrs Mills and Allen said they should vote against it. The amendment was rejected by 44 to 12.

I The Party Fight. The fight on the party question commenced at one o'clock this morning 1 , when the Premier moved the recommittal of clause 2, in order that he might move to strike out the amendment inserted on the previous night, which Governmentdeclines to accept, and which delays operation of the Bill till October, 1889. Objections were raired that new business could not be taken after 12.30 a.m., but the Speaker overruled the objection on the ground that this was not new business. Mr Downio Stowart appealed to those who supported his amendment last night not to do him the injustice of reversing tho docision. He now avowed that he had never looked on the question asa party one or hostile to the Government. Mr Menteabh explained he was noL awaro that the question was a party one, and while he was firmly convinced oi the desirnb cness of the amendment, he never dreamt; that* its adoption meant tho destruction of the Government. As it would have such an effect, he would choose the lesser of two evils, and support the Government. Dr. Fitchett and Mr Reeves were somewhat severe on Mr Menbeath'fe action. Mr Scobie McKenzie said the chance they had was between the breaking up a party that was doing good ! work in the way of retrenchment and the returning those who had honey-combed tho country Avith political jobbery and demoialibabion. Ho would not walk out of the House when the question was put so as to embarrass the ' Government. 'Mr Moss said he was in the library when tho question was put on Tuesday night, but if he had boen in the House he would have voted with the Government. Ho wished to see the number of members reduced to 70, bub did not wish to tec tho chango eflected at the expense of the towns. He would vole for lecommittal. «