WELLINGTON.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2668, 5 September 1871, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

PKO.H OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. August 31. The Government, it is stated on pretty good authorit}', have offered seats in the Cabinet to Messrs Stafford and Hall. The former has declined, it is said, because his friends have advised him to do so. They consider he went too far against the Government during the recess to bo able, with honor, to join them now. The unfortunate allusion to Mr Vogel at Timani is remembered now, and it is to be deplored that any expressions used, perhaps hastily and without due reflection by the hon. gentleman, should stand in the way of his accepting office. As he is now, Mr Stafford’s power for good is almost nil; and in a country where political talent is by no means too abundant, the loss of his services to the State is to be greatly regretted. The Government itisqu te clear, though numerically weak, is too strong to be upset by any opposition; and a change of Ministry in present circurastances is felt tp hp too perilous Who lightly attempted. There is, besides, no organised Opposition. Mr Giilics, with all his ability, will n.ver bo a leader, and has no following. It is believed he can only influence the votes of throe of his own Auckland taiL My Stafford affects no leadership; while Mr Hall and Mr Fitzhepbort are rdgkfined Go'vernmont supporters. Jti§ somewhat amuse* ing to scs Bunny and Haughtou, the two

Government whips ; but they have hitherto had to do their spouting gently, the Opposition not yet having arrived at that stage of adolescence which develops this “political’ phenomenon. Mr Collins, member for Collingwood, once a Foxite, seems now (always excepting Gillies) the most bitter opponent of the Government, and made a great ass of himself in a question about Vogel s mission. It is pretty well reported in the Independent, but being in the House that day m the Stranger’s Gallery, I can assure you that the report gives a poor idea of the lively scene. He was constantly stating his opinion that the mission of Mr Vogel to England was not necessary while in the very act of putting the question, if t was necessary, and was, of course, frequently interrupted, and there was great laughter at the successive rebuffs so good naturally received. Talkin'* of reports, reminds me of the strike of printers engaged on Hansard, which, for the sake of your readers, I have enquired into. I find, however, that beyond saying that I think both parties w r ere to blame, it is not worth while filling tip your space with it. During the interregnum an offer was made by Mr Mackenzie to the Debates Committee, not yet published, but so far as I can learn, it amounted to this—that for the sura the Government now pay for Hansard, he would print daily in the Independent 14 columns of reports in brevier type, and afterwards bind them into Hansard ; the Government, as at present, to employ and supervise the reporting staff, and members to get punted slips of their speeches daily for correction, before being “eternised” in Hansard. As a journalist, you will see the advantage of this, as every steamer leaving Wellington would carry away so many times fourteen columns as the days since the departure of the last proceeding Hansard not getting out for ten days (and it is often a week after before it can be sent), is too old to be reproduced for your readers Besides the reports in the Independent are very meagre. Mr Fox’s speech in reply to Mr Stafford on the Address in Reply, is considered here the best speech yet delivered this session, and the Independent has not a word of it! The two Houses know nothing of each others doings from day to day, of which there was a very amusing illustration last session. The Hon. Mr Waterhouse, in the Council, got a Bill passed doing something or another to Intestate Estates, and Mr Travers was getting another printed for the House of Representatives on the same subject, before it was discovered ! The Legislative Council exercised a very important influence on the legislation last session, and will be no less a power this year. Witness the proceeding yesterday. They passed the BjU for Marriage with a Deceased Wife’s Sister, by 11 to 10. I was present during a part of the debate, and beard four of your Otago Lords. Dr Buchanan, Capt. Fraser, and Mr Paterson against, and John M'Lean for the BiR. The speech of Dr Buchanan was a very able and interesting one, displayed great research, and was delivered with more animation than I expected. I looked for it in the Independent this morning, and lo and heflold there was “ never a word,” the only speech appearing being that of Mr Waterhouse, the introducer of jibe Bill. Captain Fraser made a funny and telling speech, Pateyson, a very short speech, not on the merits, and M’Lean, who has a large Share of the pcrfervklum tngenium Scotorum, very earnestly supported the measure. I must go in ofteuer to the] Lords —they speak better and more to the purpose than the now parliament, where some of your Otago members have already acquired the reputation of bores. It is a strange thing, however you may account for it, that the new member; from all the other provinces, many of whom can speak well, seldom or never trouble the House. Thus, Nelson has returned a Shepherd, whose reputation rests upon one shert speech on a Nelson Town Bill, delivered simply and with no pretension to anything but common sense, and he is selected for important committees and accorded a deference to which your more pretentious Shepherd will never attain. So, too, of Wellington’s new members, only one hj vs yet spoken, and he only once. I mean Mp Pearce, of Wellington, whop* Mr Stafford pomplipaeptpd by saying that the address in yoply was mver so ably moved. I’ e is an admirable parliamentary speaker, and must he a favorite in the reporters gallery, speaking with great deliberation, distinctness, and method. Some of the others are infinitely superior as orators tofyour representatives, and although Wellington Bills and Wellington subjects have been on the tapis they have contented themselves with voting in Silence. In consequence of this “golden” silence, they are much respected— the aphorism vir sapit qui pauca loquitur being especially true of members of parliament. In Canterbury, except the seconder of the address, no new member has yet opened bis bps. Eyon Teddy Wakefield, the hon. member fop Christchurch, acknowledged to be the best public speaker in New Zealand, has not yet uttered a word. “ O’ wud some power the giftio gee us”—the- president of your Caledonian Soqety cap translate and pontipqo. Mp Mapandrews Constitution Reform resolutions are greatly discussed in priyate, ftnd some of thp oldest and most thoughtful politicians have stated theiv opinions privately that they fully endorse them. Major Richardson is freely reported to have said that he will vote for them all except that about the Legislative Council, and that they are the very thing. I do not know what the Government are saying to them yet. They oeme on on Tuesday. The Publi i Petitions Committee have recommended Mr Sraytines to bo beard before the bar of the House ; but I am not sure if the House will support it. Mr Fox, who has been noted for a desire to maintain the reputation of the bar, even to rancour, is said by the knowing ones to be altogether opposed to his re.ad mission. By the way, the most important bill of the session comes on to-day, Mr Fox being to move the second reading of the Education Bill. You will have seen the bill, and I need say nothing about it. Mr Fox has given extraordinary attention to this subject, education being one of his hobbies. He has read everything that he could lay his hands on on the subject. It is said that he knows by heart all the Education Bills now in force a)l oyep. the world, and has reafl ajl flip' debates in all fhe deliberaHve'asssmbliea of the world, t don ( t exactly believe this ; but I happen to know that for the last four months ho has given this measure the very best of his attention. There are various estimates of Mr Fox’s ability. His earnest advocacy of the Permissive Bill has given great offence hqq, ivnfl made him the butt pf opr annuli wits, afidipdirectly has affected’ Iris' fpnher reputation, The 'Education Bill will be a fair test of his S' etal; and if fle will manage to pass copnaedly this the most difficult and most imI wtaut measure conceivable, it will be for

ever redound to his credit. Ml* Vogel was entertained to dinner by the club on Tuesdaynight. Our club here is a peculiar institution, and deserves a chapter to itself; but as it is not “in the part ,r you have set down for me, I shall leave it for future treatment. I had almost forgotten to tell you that your Maori member’s speech was greatly applauded, and that he has been elected to serve on one of the most important committees (development of the producing forces of the Colony). This is the first Maori member so distinguished. His swarthy colleagues are all line-looking fellows, and are a wonderful improvement on those of last 1 arliament. They vote in a solid block with the staunch Government supporters, and answer readily to the whip.