THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Evening Star, Issue 2961, 15 August 1872, Page 3

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

[By Electric Telegraph.]

(From our own Correspondent.)

In the the House last night Mr Curtis moved his resolution re General Government utilising Provincial machinery, in lieu of his motion on the order paper,* which had been shelved. The Public Works and Immigration Policy was not satisfactorily administered from one centre. He quoted tho resolutions of the public meeting at Auckland against the delay and waste by tho General Government, and said his resolution, was misrepresented. It simply affirmed tho necessity for the General Government availing itself of the assistance and experience of tke local authorities. Mr Fox said the resolution proposed reversed the Public Works Policy of 1870 wnen the House affirmed the fundamental principle of leaving the sole control and responsibility to the General Government, and quoted speeches from Hansard. He read leading articles from newspapers. The Go- • vernmtnt would not treat the motion as one of want of confidence, but if carried they would resign.—(Cheers.) Mr Gillies said the resolution did not contemplate interference with the powers of the General Government, and upheld the Superintendents. He said the resolution implied a. protest against maladministration ; and referred to definite cases of faulty administration by the General Government in the Province of Auckland. He deprecated party

spirit. , , Mr Webster delivered a telling speech against Provincial institutions, and compared the Colony to a small engine with a number of useless cog-wheels working in conflict. Mr Harrison opposed the motion, and attacked Mr Curtis’s Supei inteudeutal administration. Mr Collins defended Mr Curtis, and opposed the motion. Mr Bathgate condemned the whole administration of the General Government, especially the immigration promised Otago and the neglect of Scotch immigration. He condemned letting contracts without public tender. He said the Mataura Railway contract given to Mr Brogden was L 30.000 or L 40,000 above engineer’s estimates. Mr O’Korko moved the adjournment of the House, which was agreed to. Mr Stafford’s supporters meet to-day to decide what action they should take with regard to Mr Curtis’s Provincial resolutions, whether to move a distinct amendment condemning the general administration or await the financial statement t) move a vote of want of confidence. Great anxiety ia felt by the Provincialists regarding the intentions of Mr Fitzherbert and Mr Macandrew. The downfall of the Ministry is considered inevitable. 3 p.m. Mr Stafford has prepared an amendment to Mr Curtis’s motion, expressing direct want of confidence in the Government. The party who are supporting Mr Curtis’s motion see themselves defeated ; and Mr Fitzherbert, to burke discussion, has just moved the previous question. A notice of motion was given to-day by Mr Brown, Canterbury, for a Bill, disqualifying Superintendents and Provincial Executive officers from having a seat in the Assembly.

* The following is Mr Curtis’s motion as set down on the Order Paper That, in the ©pinion of this House, it is expedient that the Colonial Government, without divesting itself of responsibility for the proper conduct of works, authorised by the General Assembly, or of the sole control over all moneys voted by Parliament, shall avail itself of the services of the existing provincial organisations and the duties of resident ministers and general agents of the Colonial Government shall, in their respective Provinces, devolve upon the Superintendents and Executives as agents of the Colonial Government, unless otherwise determined by the Colonial Government upon its responsibility. ”