GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 2334, 10 September 1875, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Wellington, Sept. 9. Tho battle has now fairly commenood. When, or how it will end, none can say. Both parties have held meetings and divided their followers into three watohes or relays, so that each may have eight hours on and sixteen off. The House will certainly sit till daylight tomorrow, and there ore rumours of continuous sittings until Saturday at midnight. Both Earties are determined and confident, Sir •onald M'Lean says tho Government will have the Bill, the whole Bill, and nothing but the Bill. Mr W. H. Reynolds as usual, has blundered at tho very beginning on the Short Title. In Committee, Mr O'Rorke ruled that only tho clause itself oould be spoken to, but that on a motion for his leaving the ohair or reporting progress, the whole question oould be dobatod. Mr Reynolds boganto talk on tho gonoral question, replying to speeohes made at a previous stage. Ho was ohooked by the Chairman, whereupon Mr Sheehan moved to report progress. It was to let tho Commissioner of Customs say what he wished. Of course, to ro-open the whole question is oxaotly what the Opposition wish, A considerable number of Government supporters, however, are now known to disapprove strongly of tho extreme obstinacy of tho Government, and will not oonsent to oarry on tho contest for moro than the present week. There is a nioe little row about Mr O'Oonor and Mr J. 0. Brown getting their speeohes printed at tho Government office from the Mansard , type, as supplements to their local papors, at tho rate of 25s per 1000. Tho Reporting Debatos Committee were aware of the practice^ but when they ' report to-morrow an effort will be mado to have tho praotioo sanctioned as a general thing. The matter was raised in tho Houso to-day by Mr T. L. Shepherd, who pointod out that thero being no imprint to the supplements, the Government Printer was liable to heavy penalties. Mr Murray has given notice of a resolution for a spooial Convention, eleoted by tho wholo Colony, to settle tho question of Constitutional Changes. The Opposition will not oonaent to vote another penny when the present Appropriation is expended, whioh will be in a week or so. The opinion is steadily gaining ground that thoy hold tho winning cards, [From the Press Agency],