THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Evening Star, Issue 3014, 16 October 1872, Page 2

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

[Bv Electric Telegraph.]

om the Ncio Zealand Press Association.)

October 15. In reply to a question by Mr Steward, Mr Vogel said that the Maerewhenua land sale to the Hon. R. Campbell was perfectly legal. Laud known to be auriferous would not be sold. In reply to a question by Mr O’Connor, Mr Vogel said that the Covcrnment did not intcml to appoint a Minister of Mines. On the motion to go into Committee of Supply, Mr Vogel made a very short supplementary Financial Statement. He said the Government intended to carry out the proposals he originally made. They did not intend to make any special capitation allowance for the Maoris, but intended to make the same allowance as before to Road Boards. Since he made his original Statement, the circumstances of the Colony had been sightly altered. The liabilities and engagements, as far as had been ascertained to date, were L‘26,374, which was reducablc by an asset not previously taken into account, to L 20.247. In addition to this Supplementary Estimates to the extent of L 1.3,343 would have to bo provided for above the original Estimate*. To meet this there was the interest on tho Trust Fund, L9OOO, and the surplus of LIO6I aLer providing for everything. 'this, he thought, would be sufficient, as though several items would probably exceed the estimate, a large saving might be expected on the votes. The Supplementary Estimates included LSSUO for the extension aud repair of the Government Buildings at Wellington, and LISOO for six months’ subsidy of a Steam Service to Fiji. The Government intended to make a contract for a two j'ear’s service, Mr Gillies commented on the remarkable manner in which Mr Vogel’s former visionary surplus of L2o 000 bad dwindled down to an equally visionary surplus of LlOdl. He iegretted that no special capitation allowance would be made on account of the Maoris, which he contended was justly due to tho *ortheru Provinces. Ho thought the Fiji Service was a luxury the Colony could not afford, and that it was not likely to prove of service equal to its expense. Mr Wood regretted the proposed appointment of a Civil Service Commission as being of no practical use, Mr Stafford said the Government wore not manly enough to state boldly what public works they intended to proceed with during the year. Neither money nor labor was available to allow all to be proceeded with. Every time that the motion for going into Conuui 1 tee of Supply capae on. he would press

the question whether it was intended to proceed with the Timaru and Temuka line during the recess. The Government was literally tearing its boasted great Colonial Scheme to tatters, and frittering money away by di* verting it to local purposes, Mr Reid defended himself at length from Mr Vogel’s charges in his no-confidence speech. He declared that he had formed the Public Works office in a most disorganised condition, the Chief Engineer being really in the position of a second-rate clerk, and works being carried on without his knowledge. He detailed what he whilo in office had done with Mr Bragden, and indignantly repudiated the insinuation that any improper understanding existed between the late Government and Mr Brogdeu. Sir David Monro, as an amendment on going into Committee of Supply, moved;— “ That the House of Representatives having observed that his Excellency, in the recent correspondence with Mr Stafford, appears to have entertained doubts of its willingness to vote supplies in the face of an announced dissolution, begs to assure his Excellency that this House will at all times be prepared to adopt those proceedings which are in accordance with well-established Parliamentary practice, and with a due regard for the prerogative of the Crown.” He contended that the Governor, by the course he had adopted, had virtually surrendered to a majority of the House the prerogative of the Crown, and that if the House had refused supplies, it would have been assuming that attitude. Mr Vogel, in reply regretted attacks of this kind being made on the Governor. If the Governor had granted a dissolution, great public inconvenience would have been caused, as supplies certamly would not have been granted. He maintained that the Governor had acted in a proper and constitutional manner, with due regard to the public interest. He explained, in regard to the notice of motion given by Mr Stafford, that Mr Waterhouse was in every respect Premier, and if he died or resigned the Ministry would of course be dissolved. The Government proposed to allocate over the next two years LuO.OOO to the South west Goldfields of Nelson, and the same sum to Westland, for roads, the money to come from the funds to be raised for railway purposes. The amount already borrowed by the Colony was quite insufficient to carry out all the works authorised, and when the payment in land and guarantee systems were abandoned, it became evident that larger sums must he borrowed, but this would not be necessary for a year or two. Tho Electoral Bill and the Fisheries Bill wer- discharged. i ho two newly appointed Maori members look their seats in the Legislative Council to-day. October 16. The debate on Sir David Monro’s motion lasted until an early hour this morning. Mr Vogel concluded his speech by sayipg that if a majority of the House really desired a dissolution, the Government would be happy to comply. They would, if requested to do so, convey an assurance of the fact to the Governor, and it would probably remove his Excellency’s main objection. Messrs Fox, Wakefield, Fitzherbert, and Gillies spoke at great length on the question. The latter declared that all hope ofa fusion of parties was at an end, unless as qpe party of honesty, and the other not. Messrs T. L. Shepherd, Hunter, Luckie, Wood, ffolleston, M Gillivray, and Major Atkinson, also spoke on the question. Mr Swanson reproached the leading memr bers of the House for speaking by the hour on personal questions, v hen on the previous night a multitude of Bills of immense importance to the country were pitchforked through or out of the House without remark, and with barely a quorum present. Sir David Monro asked for leave to withdraw the motion, but Mr Vogel refused. Sir David, Mr Stafford, and party then walked out of the House, Major Atkinson alone remaining. In order to record a division, Mr Reynolds acted as toller for the ayes. Tlve motion was lo:-t by 31 to 2, the noes being Major Atkinson and Sir Heynolds, There wore nine pairs. Messrs Swanson and Wood voted with the majority. The Auckland University Bill was rejected by the Legislative Council.