THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Evening Star, Issue 2974, 30 August 1872, Page 3

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

[By Electric Telegram. ]

(From Oreuille’s Telegram Company.) August 30, Mr Fitzberbert, in a long and able speech, deprecated personal or party motives. He praised Mr Vogel, and expressed an increasing respect for him. He expressed sympathy with the public works and immigration policy, and thanked Mr Vogel for acknowledging him as its author. He said Mr Vogel was a man of details, who lest himself in speculative details. He had no constructive ability, and always put the cart before the horse, though he carefully considered the basis of his schemes. The course adopted by the Native Minister was calculated ‘o embarrass his successors. He denud having made the Wanganui Bridge Bill a party measure, and said the action of the Government on that Bill had not influenced him in going into opposition. He also disproved Mr Vogel’s statement, that the refusal of the General Government to pay to the Province of Wellington the money accruing from the duty on deeds and least s had decided his vote. The amount was only L 7,438, and would he sell vote for so small a sum ? In reply to Mr Vogel's boast as to the financial prosperity of the Colony, he said the Fox Ministry went out of office formerly, leaving an overdraft of L 850,000 owing to the Bank of New Zealand ; and a letter from the Bank warned him that that amount was not to be exceeded. Mr Fox then covered the overdraft by a million loan raised in London. Mr Fitzherbert farther said that no advice being received at the time of the accumulation of unanswered letters in the Treasury was a proof of the aphorism, that “when the cat is away the mice ■will play.” He praised Mr Vogel for defending the Agent General but denied that the General Government had availed itself of Provincial aid. He had offered services, which bad been refused. The two Maori members from the districts, which are now at peace and not likely to be disturbed, had paired for the Government , whereas the two members representing diatricts which had been the scene of mar and might be disturbed again, had paired for the Opposition; and he regarded this as a significant fact. The speech was interrupted by the adjournment for the birthday baU, and will he resumed to-day.

(From our own Correspondent')

Tf Ministers are defeated, it is on the understanding that there will be a reconstruction of the Cabinet, Mr Vogel and Mr M'Lcan remaining members An Opposition Ministry, as indicated, will not go down with either House. The Government ml! have a squeak for life. It is rumored that Mr P Uzherbcrt will, before sitting down, move an amendment that the House Ims no confidence in the Ministry as at present constituted ; another dodge on not being able to oust Ministers on Mr Stafford’s motion. Mr Fitzherbci tis now speaking.