WELLINGTON.

Evening Star, Issue 3012, 14 October 1872, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(from our own correspondent.)

October 7. Mr Stafford, on Friday evening, thought he had made a winning point, when, in reply to Mr Fox, he said, “there was nothing to debate.” The truth is, although it had been arranged that any debate w T ould be closed the same evening, it was clearly understood that some discussion would take place, and the fairness of the proceedings by the Government party may be fairly called in question. Mr Henderson, one of the Opposition, iu the afternoon, being very unwell, it was agreed should have a pair, and the necessary signature on his part was given. It being discovered that no pair was posted, and a demand made on the Government whip to at once post it, being met with an evasive reply that such would be done before the division would take place, proving not satisfactory to the whip on the Opposition side, he, it seems, immediately despatched another member of the House to bring up the invalid, and thus it was two members of the Opposition were supposed to be absent. The ruse, however, did not take, as both made their appearance in time to take part in the vote. The Government whip evidently thought he was master of the position, when ho informed his chief that “it Mas all rightand the arrogance and self-assurance displayed by the occupants of the Government benches met its due reward. Mr Vogel’s speech now goes forth to the public without a reply, or any attempt made to controvert the charges therein contained. Such a case of a party being sold, and that by their own acts, has never been seen, I imagine, within the walls of the New Zealand Parliament. The Parliamentary tactics of Mr Stafford have not been propitious on this occasion. It appears, from what has transpired since, that Mr Stafford and his Superintendental colleagues, are determined not to allow the reins of office to s’ip out of their hands, for a time at least, as it is understood they have applied for a dissolution. They are aware that many of those who were the means of placing them in office have repented doing so, and that it is likely, now they are out, that there would be a working majority of nine or ten in favor ot the new Government; and so, rather than give up the reins of Government and sweets of office, they would launch the country into the turmoil of a general election as their last hope j but I mistake much if the temper of the majority will stand this at the present time. They feel that by so doing they would be retaining men iu power for a further season in whom they Lave no confidence, that public works would come to a standstill, and the whole policy initiated by the Fox-Vogel Administration be frustrated. There is no alternative, therefore, but a refusal to grant supplies. Whilst writing, I am informed that this morning the Maori members waited on the Governor, to represent what the effect of a dissolution would be in their case. The Bill granting a continuance of representation has passed through the Lower House, but until passed through the higher branch of the Legislature, it does not become law. The Act at present in force does not cease its operation until the end of the session, or should the House not be sitting then the 10th of this mouth, so

that in the event of a dissolution they would be disfranchised. His Excellency has given them an assurance that no dissolution will take place until at all events the Maori Continuance Representation Bill has passed, thus virtually saying that his Excellency has no intention to grant a dissolution. The country must be at least thankful that hia Excellency has so wisely decided ; for there is no calculating the loss the country would suffer by a general election in the middle of summer, interfering as it would do with the industrial pursuits of the Colony, and keeping in suspense the progress of public works. But under any circumstances it would be undesirable to provoke a political struggle of so grave a character and magnitude as a general election. IS ew Zealand is only now recovering from a long state of prostration, brought on from a long series of wars, culminating in the last under Mr Stafford’s gross mismanagement, before being turned out by the Fox-M‘Lean-Vogel Government. The country is now in a state of peace, unless the late action Mr Stafford has taken in the four weeks of office has again sown the seeds of discontent amongst tho Maori race. The industrial resources of the Colony have been and are now being largely developed. The financial state of the Colony has also during the last year been greatly improved, and with every prospect of future improvement and prosperity ; and why, therefore, may it be asked should the country be put to a large expense and loss, merely to satisfy the craving wants of a set of incongruous incapables. (To be continued.)