WELLINGTON.

Evening Star, Issue 2992, 20 September 1872, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(FROM ouu OWN CORRESPONDENT,) THE LAST DAYS OF THE MINISTRY, The sth and morning of the Qth September will be long remembered in the annals of New Zealand Parliaments as closing one of the greatest debates that has ever taken place on a want-of-confidence motion. The motipn itself was necessarily divided into three resolutions, with the view of catching every stray vote ; and it is wonderful it had not greater effect as the sequel proved. The trap was well laid to catch all who had grievances or those who imagined they had something to baug a peg upon. The poor Ministerial Benches were besieged by a set of mongrels from the yelping cur to the mastiff, trying their best to rend Ministers into pieces. Amongst them were to be found enemies political, enemies personal, disappointed men, and men who vote with and believe in majorities. Mr Stafford, in introducing the motion, made a temperate speed), knowing the ground he was traversing was dangerous. He declared the position had been urged upon him, and admitted that what hp was doing was a grave responsibility. His speech, however, had one good result; it gave a tone to the subsequent debate rebounding to the credit of the people's Parliament } and it is to be regretted that one, and only one, forgot what was due to himself as a member bound to maintain the character and honor of the House. The speeches as a whole were of high character, displaying both literary and administrative ability ; and it is admitted they have never been excelled in any former Parliament. As the debate proceeded from day tq day, the Opposition brought forward all their guns, both large and small, to destroy the citadel. Grave charges and many of minor count were launched wholesale and retail. The besieged stood it manfully, and in reply one after another of the besiegers came to grief, the last telling shot on behalf of the besieged coming from the Ministerial phalanx. Mr Ormond’s speech requires careful perusal. It was a masterly and able refutation of every charge, and at last turned the guns on the besiegers; and, as Katene (the Maori member) said, Stafford’s guns could not upset the ship ; neither would such have taken place if it had not been for traitors within, of whom some day an account will be given, THE LAST DAY, On the forenoon of Thursday, it being known to be the last day of the siege, the galleries were taken possession of by members of the Upper House, the (Strangers’ and Ladies’ Galleries being filled, to overflowing ; so much so, that the fair occupants thereof rather than lose the chance of being there at the death, stuck to their places for nearly three hours during the interval between the afternoon and evening’s sitting. At the evening sitting, more particularly, the excitement rose to fever heat; every piece of standing ground within the House and outside in the lobbies was filled with eager expectants. The whips in the House and in the lobbies were plying their vocation so as to have every member in his place, and such was the keenness that one member on the Opposition side had actually been locked up all afternoon for fear he should not put in an appearance at the critical moment. This had been known to the Government Whips, and resolves had been made to keep the honorable member in “durance vile,” The strategem, however, could not be accomplished. Mr Ormond’s speech lasted from half-past 7 to 11 o’clock, and, as I have said, was a most masterly refutation. His statements he proved from facts, and one charge after another fell to pieces. The truth is, Government had nothing to conceal. Every return asked for by the uppos.tiou previously, so as to work up a case against Ministers, was at once given, and not only so, the Statement on Public Works and Immigration and the Financial Statement, in spite of the knowledge of “want of confidence motion,” had been delivered by Mr Ormond and Mr Vogel respectively, printed and in the hands of members,-and nothing but sheer blindness and a foregone conclusion to oust Ministers

could have brought about the adverse decision. It is to be hoped the outside public will discriminate more wisely. The Ministerial party has cerae victoriously out of the contest by making it a drawn battle, notwithstanding traitors. Mr Ormond was loudly cheered on sitting down. The interval of twenty minutes for refreshment soon lapsed, and the pent-up excitement gained more strength when Mr Stafford rose to review the previous speakers on the Ministerial benches and their adherents. It had been rumored that a ruse might be c ffected by cutting his speech short, causing the Government whip to be on the alert, so that none of bis party should be absent, three minutes being only allowed by Mr Speaker between motion being put and division taken. Members who, from the great heat in the House, had taken to the lobbies, rushed in on hearing the bell—the ominous bell—ring, and took their seats. When the voices were called for, on the motion being read, the ayes sung out lustily, and the nocs equally so, Mr Speaker saying “Tne noes have it,” on which the Staffordites called for a division. Doors were ordered to be locked ; tellers named ; the ayes ordered to the right, and the noes to go forth. Members at once rose to go into their respective lobbies, and expectation ran high to see that all was right. It was seen that a member who was calculated to go for the Government, was shepherded by members of the Opposition, and reluctantly, I. should think, was drawn to vote against Ministers whom he hal eulogised a short time before in his speech. The doubtful member who has some grievance, it being alleged against Ministers ia regard to some contract, followed, I believe, also very reluctantly the example so set. The whips seeing the result, immediately telegraphed the numbers to the galleries ; 40 for the motion and 37 against; thus ended this most important debate. It is to be hoped the result will be for good, but anxious doubt and misgivings rest in the minds of the minority, as well as the more moderate of the majority. The latter’s desire is to see a coalition Ministry embracing two or three members of that they have now turned out of office. They have, however, male a mistake, and that a moct serious one in the best interest of the country, as it will be impossible to form a coalition Ministry by Mr Stafford’s taking the reins as Premier on this motion. Had a motion been brought forward rejecting the resolutions and proposing a coalition to emanate from the Ministerialists, their object would have been accomplished at same time. This debate will and mmjt be of essential service to the country : it will shew whoever are in power that their actions arc narrowly scanned ; it will also bring out this fact, and that of the highest importance to the late Ministry—that their actions speak unmistakeably in their favor, and that their good works will follow them, and that the country will ere long appreciate their past services, and regret that they should have been oblig. d to give way to most incongruous elements.