WELLINGTON GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 2979, 5 September 1872, Page 4

WELLINGTON GOSSIP.

(From onr own Correspondent.)

August 22. Wo continue Mr M‘Lean’s speech, as follows In connection with Native affairs, there was that of Defence. He said it was not the intention of the Government to keep up a large standing army, but he believed now that the country had got a well drilled and efficiently organised force, it would be exceedingly unwise at once to disband it, after the great expense it had been to get them together. He said Ministers proposed to employ prominent chiefs to assist in after the affairs ot their respective districts ; the Natives having a feeling that they had been neglected in this respect. In reference to Defence, he would mention that the force now only numbered one-third of what it did when Government took office. That was a fact that should be borne in mind, be*

cause it was bruited abroad to the contrary. Ho also though it desirable that a general annesty should be granted, and the time had now arrived when the Government might advise the Governor to proclaim such, (I may here remark, par paranthene, that it is very gratifying to know that members of both sides of the House assented to this proposal with loud and prolonged cheers.) The Government had also thought it advisaable, after due consideration, to propose calling to its counsel one or more chiefs of importance to form a Board of Advice, so as to give a permanency to the management of Native affairs. It had been suggested, (and reports were in circulation that in the event of a change of Ministry, the’re was a possibility of his joiuiniug the horn member for Timaru, and he now stated distinctly that it was not his intention to do so, should the present Ministry be obliged to leave office—a statement that was received with loud cheers by the supporters of the Government. The Defence Minister’s speech wa* delivered in a manly and simple manner, shewing that he is an earnest man in the work of civilizing the Native race. Many other topioe of importance might be added to this, but is unnecessary to prolong. With the exception of Mr Gisborne, the speakers who followed Mr McLean do not call for notice.

Mr Gisborne alluded to the charges made by the previous speaker in not carrying out the road works to the north of Auckland as proposed last session. He reminded the House that they had only seven months to initiate these ; but no time would be lost in doing so, it being the intention of Ministers to carry out the wishes of the House. He had been charged—unlike his colleagues, who were blamed for being too much away from Wellington—that he had devoted himself tco much to departmental duties ; but he promised, if that were a great fault, he would amend his conduct in future. In alluding to railway contracts, he said it came badly from the member for Taieri to complain of the action of Government, because, of all members, he should be aware of the difficulties with which any Government had to contend. He reminded him of his attempt to arrange for the (, lutha line ; and how he had agreed, at last, to enter into a contract at the price of L 400,000, with an 8 per cent, guarantee ; whereas, under the General Government, it would only cost about L21i0,000. He said the condition of the Colony at the present time was that of soundness and prosperity ; but it must be remembered that in the history of the Colony a Stafford Ministry had three times retired on a direct M'ant-of-con-liileuce motion ; and on the last occasion it had left distress and difficulty througout the land. Mr Wood (Parnell) considered the charge contained in the first resolution as plain, simple, intelligible, and direct 5 and anybody who had watched the progress of the Colony must admit that a marked difference for the worse existed now to what existed two years ago, Mr Wood made an amusing speech without any point in it. He conclusively showed that he had been in Dreamland for the last ten years, and was in Sleepy Hollow now.

August 31. The debate on the non-confidence motion has dragged its weary length to the end of another week—Mr Henderson, of Auckland, being the last speaker. It is to be resumed again on Tuesday by Mr 'l'. L, Shepherd, Mr Calder giving way to him, as he had previously moved the adjournment. It is supposed that it will last until Thursday next. Members seem thoroughly tired of it, and it was with difficulty that anyone could be had on Friday evening to speak after Mr Fitzherbert, who wearied the House comp’etely. Moreover, the evening before the Queen’s Birthday Ball had kept most members late, and it was really a case of “ canna be fashed.” The various speakers on each side as yet have marked their good taste by not indulging in personalities, except Mr Collins, who forgot himself. It is very creditable to the New Zealand Parliament that such should have been the case, as notable instances to the contrary are to be found in some of our Colonial Parliaments. It is not my intention to give you a review of the speeches made, as the printing of them in Hansard is being kept close up. The speech of Mr Macandrew was a telling one with the House. Mr Wakefield’s speech was commenced with laudation of his father, who, he said, was the first proposer of the great scheme and policy of immigration and public works. “ Pity ’tis ’tis true ” that this gentleman has had so little respect for his father’s memory. His speech was principally upon Maori matters, electoral laws, and so forth. Mr Wakefield has made himself conspicuous of late by traducing the Colony in Lloyd's London journal, and he seems to rejoice in his shame. He is quite a pet for the time being with the Opposition. Mr Carrington, the Superintendent of Taranaki, assured the House, from his practical knowledge as a surveyor, that he was astounded at the amount of work done in that particular department; and he had taken the trouble to prove this by close enquiry, alter wbat he had heard to the contrary. He alluded to Native matters, and agreed with the proposal of an amnesty to the Maori race. It is curious to know that, of the eight Superintendents of Provinces, two of them in the North and two in the Middle Island are in favor of Government, and the others opposing. Mr Bryce’s (Wanganui) complaint was that there were no good roads, and no good postal communication. Mr Bluett, of Coleridge, a new member, said that it appeared to him that a great deal of valuable time had been wasted in discussing the resolutions, which only meant that Mr Stafford and seme of his followers, having been for some time past in the cold, were desirous now of a more comfortable and warm situation. He asked if, for the sake of gratifying a small band of discontented and disappointed beings, they were to sacrifice their country and their country’s welfare. In alluding to the member for Wairarapa, he said he must have a rap at him. There was a little book called “ The Cabinet Lawyer,” and he believed that Mr Bunny either was or had been a lawyer ; but from the part that gentleman had taken in turning out and putting in, that, instead of calling him the “Cabinet Lawyer,” his name in future should be the “Cabinet Maker.” There was another reason why he should be called so, for he was in partnership with another gentleman who either is now or proposed to work for carpenter’s wages, alluding to Mr Reynolds’s extract from Mr FitzLerbert’s speech. This allusion was received with great laughter,