THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Evening Star, Issue 2968, 23 August 1872, Page 3

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

[By Electric Telegraph.]

(Ft •om our own Correspondent.)

August 23. Mr Reid’s statements re Otago railways, were thoroughly disproved last night. A reaction in favor of the Government is setting in. The speeches of Messrs Reeves, Katin gate, Reynolds, and Steward have told with effect. Mr Murray (Bruce), in opposition, made a fool of himself, speaking to empty benches. Katene (Maori member) -said he was disappointed with Mr Stafford’s resolutions He looked upon him as a great duef, and his guns should be big gnus. The Government ship was not so easily knocked over as the member for Timnni expected. Mr Richmond had held the office of Native Minister, but he did not know what good he had ever done. A good majority for the Government is expected.

(FROM GREVILLK’S TELEGRAPH COMPANY.)

In the house yesterday Mr Reeves replied to the speech of Mr Reid relative to the railway contracts. . Mr Curtis (Nelson) supported the resoluBathgate condemned the rcsoultions as unfair, and said there should have been a direct vote of want of confidence. He had got all he wanted- by which he meant he had got oil the explanations he wanted from the Government. The House should have carried out number two centracb m its integrity ; but a large majority, including Mr Stafford, set that contract aside. Al'owance should be made for inexperience. Few members were qualified to give opinions on the works at present. Greater blunders had been made by the Imperial Government without the disadvantage of a factions opposition against them. The lowest tender was not always the best. Some contractors did nob care what was the amount of their tender • even if their contract was not taken at a’profitable figure, but would take care it paid them somehow. In a Colony like this the coach had been' going down hill but a sudden check would cause disaster. They would not check it until it was on a level. The Government bad shewn an anxiety to rectify its errors, when pointed out. He had received no favor from the Government, who were under no obligations j to him. He referred to the speech of Sir David Monro, sent by telegraph to. Waikouaiti, in which that gentleman said the policy of the Government was one of reckless extravagance and unstatcsman-likc, and that ho would seek to arrest it. It was probable the Opposition would reverse that policy to which the Colony was now irretrievably committed, and it would cause general disaster were the reproductive works commenced to be suddenly abandoned. He referred to the Bank returns as proving the general prosperity of the Colony, and the elasticity of its resources. Up to last year tho deposits in the Banks did not exceed L 2,000,000 ; on the 31st March last they were L 3,900,000. If there was a change of Ministry the seat of government would soon be removed from Wellington. He had confidence in the success of the Government scheme. A new Ministry would bo composed of inharmonious elements. Mr Collins (Nelson) supported the resolution. He referred to the Government subsidising the Press, and quoted the following sums paid to newspapers for advertising : Thames Guardian , i 80 3s (id ; Thames Advertiser, L 7 17s 6d ; 1 [elliivjton Independent , L73L 9s 6d ; Eren'mj Pod, L4OS ; Hawke's Bay Herald , LI 35 ; Napier Teleyraph, LSB ; Colonist, L 482 Iss 8d ; Examiner , LSB; Lyttelton Times, L 415; Press, L 28 2; Boss News, L6l ; Guardian, L 3 ; Grey &vcr Ac/us, L 351 ; Grey Star, Lls. Katene (Maori) opposed the resolutions. Mr Reynolds admitted thw Administration Lad beep faulty. The Ministry was responsible for its action relative to tho Brogden contracts. It had accepted the vote of the House. Hf it did not approve of that vote it should then and there have resigned. But the Opposition, if in office, would be equally faulty. The undertakings commenced had been difficult. He said it was rumored that Mr Stafford, Mr Gillies, Mr Fitzherbert, Mr Curtis, and Colonel Whitmore would form the new Ministry. Mr Stafford was arrogant when Premier; Mr Gillies, when Postmaster-Gene-ral, forced a new post office upon the Province of Otago, costing 135,000 ; Mr Fitzherbert was selfish and grasping ; Mr Cqrtis had mismanaged the Nelson goldfields; and Colonel Whitmore would create another war. Mr Murray (Bruoe) supported the resolutions, He referred to Mr Vogel’s administration in Otago, and said that gentleman was pursuing the same reckless policy with regard to tho Colony. He condemned the Government for reducing the Capitation grunt to the Provinces, also Mr Vogel’s trips to England and Australia. Mr Brogden would have come out without Mr \ ogel to arrange with the Nelson Government for » its railways. It Wi‘S unnecessary to have brought him out. The policy of the Government was not realised, nor were the promised results. The roads, which the Government said had been opened, were merely bridle tracks. He condemned the immigration administration. Messrs Patrick Henderson, and Co. had been badly treated. That firm would have placed a fleet of steamers on the line to bring out immigrants. He further condemned Government for not developing the coal fields of the Colony. My Steward (Camarn) opposed the resolutions. Ho said the indictment against the Government had pot been proven. The failPfe of the immigration scheme arose fiom causes over which the Government had no control. It was necessary for Ministers to visit different places in order to learn the ret quirements of each. Tho question was whether, even if the present Administration was faulty, would it uot disastrous to

make a sudden change, instead of bringing pressure to bear to produce reform ? Unless a better case was made out against the Governme t, he would vote against the resolutions. n Mr Swanson ( Auckland) said if the Midfile Island members were sure that the peace of the country would he secure with another Native Minister, the Ministry would not remain in office for a single day. The Government had not fulfilled its promises. It had not brought down any policy, and he wanted to hear more of the policy of both sides. He did not believe Mr M'Leau would refuse to join a new Ministry if there was a unanimous desire on the part of the House that he should do so. He would not sacrifice the interests of the country to the interests of party. If the Government were forgiven for past offences, it should at once reform. _ Air M‘Lean moved the adjournment of the debate. _ . Great anxiety exists regarding the intentions of Mr M ‘Lean. There is a strong disinclination on all sides to alter the Native policy.