Thank you for correcting the text in this article. Your corrections improve Papers Past searches for everyone. See the latest corrections.

This article contains searchable text which was automatically generated and may contain errors. Join the community and correct any errors you spot to help us improve Papers Past.

Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

WELLINGTON.

(from our own correspondent.) October 16. Nothing very startling has occurred in the political world during the past week, but a good deal of business one way or another has been got through. The Education Bill, as you are aware by telegram, has been withdrawn for this session, it being clear to the Government that it would be exceedingly difficult to arrive at a satisfactory settlement in Committee of the several vexed questions involved within the lime reasonably at disposal for the purpose. Mr Fox further expressed his hope that delay and the consequent reflection might tend to smooth over many of the rough places, and that the subject might be approached next year with a predetermination upon all sides to give and take, thus ensuring the passing a really useful measure creditable alike to the Parliament and to the Colony. The Government of Provinces Bill is also virtually withdrawn, notwithstanding the numerous professions in favor of retrenching both the powers and the expenditure of the Provinces. When this unhappy Bill came down with machinery to effect both objects, it was, to use a vulgar but complete expression, generally “sat upon.” The Opposition, naturally enough, opposed it en masse, irrespective of its provisions, simply because it emanated from the Government; whilst the ultra-Frovineialists, headed by Mr O’Korke, went in a header in favor of the Provinces, and the ultra-Centralists condemned the measure as not going half far enough. Under these circumstances, Ministers acted with judgment in giving way to the recommendations of their friends, and consenting to an adjournment for a week, with the distinct understanding that it wa« really sine die. This Bill and one or two others affecting constitutional changes are certainly much better left alone for the present. There will be quite work enough to do to carry through both Houses the measures necessary to give effect to the financial policy and the immigration and public works, and it would seem to have been injudicious in Ministers to have embarrassed themselves with questions of so debateable a character, and certain to split the House into fresh strata of parties. The Otago Waste Lands Bill has passed successfully through the Waste Lands Committee, and now stands upon the paper for committal in the House. It possibly may survive this ordeal, but its fate in “another place ” may be considered as sealed. There is a disposition on the part of those who opr posed the Bill upon its second reading, to come to terms with Mr Eeid and his friends j but all attempts at any compromise are understood to be upset by the obstinate position taken up by Otago members of the Legislative Council, who muster strong as tp numbers, and are not deficient in tact or ability. The Goldfields Bill, in accordance with the recommendation of the Goldfields Committee, is withdrawn for this session, with the view of a more complete measure being introduced ; and also that the working of the Mining Districts Bill, which it is desired to pass, may by that time have been tested in the Province of Auckland. This is a most excellently drawn Bill—clear, simple, and comprehensive; and the committee appeared to think that the general measure for the Southern Goldfields might, with advantage, he thrown into somewhat similarly perspicuous shape. The new Insolvency Bill has been favorably reported upon by the Select Committee appointed for its construction, and will be before the House this week. The Government state that they are very anxious it should become law, and that they will do all in their power to get it passed. I have, however, serious doubts considering the state of public business and the restlessness perceptible in the political world, whether it will survive “ committee of the whole.” There are many points in it which will undoubtedly be fought hard, and [ have heard more than one member say there is little chance of its being read a third time.

A meeting of the supporters of the Govern* ment took place upon Saturday, fifty members were either present or represented by valid excuses. It is no secret, I believe, that Ministers laid before the meeting a statement of what measures they considered it absolutely essential should be carried through this session, and took the opinion of members as to the disposal of other business upon the Order Paper. It was decided to withdraw the Transfer of Powers Bill, whicfy provided under certain circumstances for the taking over the management pf Provincial establishments either entirely or in part. It being not considered that any immediate or imminent emergency existed for the hurrying through so important a measure, and one likely to lead to a long and acrimonious debate. The meeting decided to support the Government with regard to the Public Revenues Bill and the Payment to Provinces Bill, and in leaving them unfettered action in the matter of the San Francisco Mail contract, by supporting the vote as it stands in the Estimates. Upon the Ways and Means, there was some difference of opinion, especially with regard to the proposed duty upon cereals ; this is now, however, clearly understood to be an open question as it very properly should be, and it will therefore be discussed and determined upon its merits, free from all party bias or pressure. The proposed stamp duties are not objected to upon the although many alterations and details were suggested, and many will no doubt be carried out ip the Housp. Altogether, the meeting was most successful, the unanimous opinion being that Ministers should receive cordial support in their Public Works and Immigration policy, and that others should not upon any mere Parliamentary fluke, step in and reap the fruit of the ability and labors of Mr Fox and bis colleagues. Mr Stafford has called his supporters together for three p.m. this day; it is understood that Mr Murray, Mr Thomson, an 4 Mr Shephard, of Nclsou, have given ip their adherence, so that the Opposition uiay be considered pqw as numbering 21, witl} some three or four rather shaky and dqubtful votes, Otago, according to anejent custom and invariable precedent is pretty well equally divided. I should put the number down as follows; Fob Ministebs—9. Opposition—B. Haughton Bathgate Macandrew Bradshaw M'Gillivray Brow a. M'Lean Cantrell Reynolds Mervyn M'Glasban Murray Steward Reid Tairoa Thomson Webster Nsutrals—2 Calder Shepherd

The two gentlemen I have put down neutral are, I think, inclined to support the Government generally, but cannot be reckoned as members of the party at present. The points of attack premeditated by the Opposition are pretty well known to be—First, the Public Revenue Bill, upon which they will take occasion to severely criticise the whole financial policy ; secondly, the San Francisco mail contract, which, they will urge, should he broken through, in order so to economise our resources as to render any lucreas- of taxation unnecessary; thirdly and mostly (to coin a good word), the Brogden contracts, which they will endeavor to prove are, in their details, highly disastrous to the Colony There will, of course, be the usual onslaught upon the Estimates, especially those for defence and Native expenditure. This will not however, ho confined to the Opposition, as there is a pretty general feeline that we are paying too dear for our whistle, -in re Militia and Volunteers, —and that it would be more prudent, and equally effective, to confine our expenditure, at all events in the Middle Island, to the providing prizes for rifle shooting and the drilling and training of cadet corps, service which should be compulsory upon all boys not physically incapaI have given you an idea of the political position, and shall leave you to ferret out the news from the local papers, which, no doubt, reach you by this same mail. 1 may, however, notice a decidedly favorable change in the conduct of your new members. They would appear to have taken the hint, and keep very tolerably quiet; oven the redoubtable T. L. Shepherd, having delivered himself of his wrath anent Mr Haughton and “his dog Bully,” has subsided into, for him, graceful repose. The Independent, I think, of Wednesday, contains the account of how, in addition to other grave misdemeanors, he accused MrHaugh‘or» of writina against him in the papers, grounding the charge upon the fact that “his dog Bully” had been seen “ sitting outside the Advertiser office. Jho House was in fits. Bully having pretty well a Colonial reputation, now culminated by figuring in Hansard, suj).; the mail is closing. I have plenty more to say, but must await another opportunity.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD18711019.2.10

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2706, 19 October 1871, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,433

WELLINGTON. Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2706, 19 October 1871, Page 2

WELLINGTON. Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2706, 19 October 1871, Page 2

Help

Log in or create a Papers Past website account

Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.

By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.

Log in with RealMe®

If you’ve used a RealMe login somewhere else, you can use it here too. If you don’t already have a username and password, just click Log in and you can choose to create one.


Log in again to continue your work

Your session has expired.

Log in again with RealMe®


Alert