THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Evening Star, Issue 3011, 12 October 1872, Page 2

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

[By Electric Telegraph.]

{From the New Zealand Press Association.)

October 11. Mr Waterhouse lies just announced that his first act has been to call Moldua Kohere (Morgan), of Waiapu, Auckland, and Wiremu Taka Ngatata (Wi Tako), of Waikanae, Wellington, to seats in the Legislative Council. In the Legislative Council, Mr Waterhouse made a Ministerial .Statement. He announced the composition of the Ministry, as already stated, tie himself would be Premier, but would bold no portfolio ; and therefore, according to a principle he had often enunciated, he would draw no salary. At the same time, he would not shrink from the duties of the position, and would devote himself as fully to the service of the country as his predecessors had done. During the recess he would relieve those of his colleagues who lived at a distance as far as possible of the necessity for constant residence at Wellington. The Ministry had decided to make the number of Ministerial offices eight. They had not yet decided what titles these eight portfolios should bear, but the Government thought of adding a Minister of Mines, separating the Postmas-ter-General from the Treasurer, and making a Minister of Justice ora Minister of Agriculture. These were only suggestions which the Government desired should be considered and discussed by the public, so as to guide the Government to a decision. Only three new portfolios could be- made. The Cabinet would if possible be completed during the session, and if not by that time, within a few days after, and before members left Wellington. He regretted deeply that his private arrangements prevented Mr Reeves from joining the Ministry. He also regretted that circmn-dances did not allow of the inclusion of the Hon. Mr Miller. There being no great question before the country, the Ministry would make it their tp-o-ic object to administer the affairs of the Colony prudently and efficiently. They intended to proceed with all the public works which were authorised as speedily as the circumstances of the Colony and the state of the labor market would admit. The state of the labor market would bo the only thing which would prevent any authorised work being pushed on. The Government believed that the question of the Confiscated Lands could be put on a satisfactory footing, and would endeavor to do so by dealing specially with each case, as no universal principle could bo applied. They believed that with tho assistance of the Native chiefs a solution of the difficulty satisfactory' to both races would be attained. With regard to Native reserves, they intended to associate with them a Commissioner and Native Board of Advice. They believed that there was a strong feeling in the Native mind in favor of establishing Native Committees, with power to deal with a variety of Native matters throughout the country, and they would endeavor to reduce the idea to practice. His first act as Minister had been to sign a warrant, calling Makena Kohere (Morgan), of \V»iapa, ami Wiveum Tako Ngatata (Wi Tako), of Waikanae, to the Legislative Council. The Government intended to institute a searching inquiry into the Civil Service. He had not accepted a position in the Ministry without great consideration and uuwillingness, but, having taken it, would not lightly resign it. As long as he could retain office with honor to himself and benefit to the Colony he would do so. When these conditions ceased to apply he would retire. He valued his own self-respect above everythiug, and however much he might err in judgment he would never deliberately do anything he felt to be wrong. In the House of Representatives, Mr Vogel made a similar announcement of policy, adding that in the present circumstances of the Colony, it was not thought necessary to have a Defence portfolio. The Government intended, if possible, to equalise the representation of each Island in the Cabinet. The Government, like their predecessors, would maintain the unity of the Colony, with the seat of Government at Wellington, and they would propose a vote of a sufficient sum to put the Government Buildings into a proper state. They also intended after the session to appoint two natives to advise the Government of Native affairs. They would endeavor, if the West Coast members agreed as to what should be done to, if possible this session, do something for the better government of the West Coast. He hoped Mr .Shepherd’s Bill would afford the solution of tho problem. The Civil Service Commission would consist of members of the Legislature from both sides ; their names would be stated on Tuesday. With regard to immigration, the Government would endeavor to arrange with the Provinces to take charge of the immigrants after their arrival. He hoped that Mr u’ilorke would be shortly added to the Ministry. October 12. Last night, on the motion that the House go into Committee of Supply, Mr Gillies at some length replied to Mr Vogel’s criticism on bis Financial Statement when moving his no-confidence motion. Mr Vogel replied to Mr Gillies, In Committee, nearly the whole of the remaining Estimates were passed. The Government promised on the Supplementary Estimates to include a vote to recoup to Otago the expense it has been put to in leasing Fern Hill as a residence for the Governor when it was believed the session would be hel l in Dunedin. On the Militia and Volunteer Estimates, Mr M‘Loan said be saw the way to effect large retrenchment. The vote passed on this understanding.