WELLINGTON.

Evening Star, Issue 3581, 14 August 1874, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

[By Electric Telegraph.] {From our\ovm Correspondent.) „ . August 13. The following is tho latter part of Mr Vogel s speech and an account of tbeseenethat followedßefore concluding he would like to say a few words regarding the personal questions already referred to ; the change of his political opinions. There were two species of palitical organisations : one arising from conviction, the other, like that 0! Macbeth, whispering ambition. One was purely public spirited; the nature of the other was entirely private and personal. Most would agree on that. On personal ambition no personal object could animate him in thin matter. He had reason, if any man }iad, to remain quietly, The

Government had a large majority; the session was nearly over; those members who were so inclined followed the lead of the Government, and had not taken tbe matter up to consult their personal convenience. Honora' le members could not suppose for a moment he brought down the resolution on any other than strong conviction that the change proposed was rendered necessary by the circumstances of the country. 1 he course taken caused him very much personal pain, because it embroiled him in a struggle which was likely to put an end to political alliances which had lasted for years, and might lose him the support so generously and ungrudgingly given in the ‘Post.’ He thought the change he was now proposing was imperatively required. He felt, if the question was approached at all, it must be dealt with fairly, openly, and not by any underhand, haphazard manner. If the result of his appeal wore adverse, it would be then hj s pleasure to retire from office with the knowledge that his Ministry had not fai ed to perform what they considered to be their duty. —(Cheers.) Mr O’Rorke at once rose, and said before the debate proceeded further ha would make a personal explanation. He was not a party, and could not be a party to the proposal which had been made,— (Opposition cheers). He could not do such violence to his convictions as to vote for it, because he felt sure the scheme cou’d not be carried out, hence the country would revolt against it. Were he to vote for it, he would deserve to bo branded as a base polit : cal traitor, although he knew great names might be found for political apostacy. He was not disposed to shelter himself under such precedents. He obtained admission to Parliament on certain principles, and did not feel at liberty to fling those principles to the winds for the sike of office or to suit nis own proclivities. If such au occurrence took place, he was bound to return to his constituents, and abide by their decision. During the fourteen years he had been a member of the House, he had unswervingly adhered to the principles of the Comr itation Act, which he thought generally framed to favor the Colony. To his mind, every invasion and every alteration of that Act had been prejudicial, especially to the Province of Auckland, and the North Island could not be expected, in the twinkling of an eye, to deny the tenor of his previous political life. Hia position on that bench was not of his own seeking, and he would not have occupied it if he bad thought the Premier, in his copious armory, had had such a treacherous dagger with which to stab the Province.— (Opposition cheers). These were grounds on which he opposed the proposal. As a member of the Province of Auckland, he had special ground to do so. To his mind the resolutions compressed into the smallest possible space every effort that could be made to offend the Province. All po'itical life would cease, and the Auckland Province would be steeped in poverty, and prevent them getting rid (of the foolish bargain the North Island Provinces made by the compact of 1856. What necessity was there to flaunt in Ibeir faces the fact that the Province was uncrowned by having the seat of Government removed ? He did not wish the House to understand, in making these remarks, he was actuated by personal motives against the gentlemen sitting around him. From them he had received the utmost consideration, and hp believed himself, when the passion of the hour had passed away, they would despise him as he would have despised himself, if he had forgone the principles he had hitherto avowed. He left them to their constituencies. The Premier could not see the tnd of ,the voyage on which he entered. He (Mr O’.lorke) was about to retire from the Ministry. He had taken that course without being instigated thereto by any living soul. His decision was purely spontaneous. The Premier wi u d bear him out in stating that when he announced he intended to press the measure, he (Mr o’Rbrke) said he could no longer see his way to be a member of the Ministry. He said so explicitly, with no desire to be considered a martyr, but he must positively shrink from having the brand of political treachery attached to his name (Prolonged Opposition cheers.) Mr Vogel said he owed an apology for the fact of a member of the Government of which he was the head having made such an exhibition as had just beenmade. —('. heera, and Opposition cries of No, ) Anj thing so exceptional had never been heard of before.—(Cheers.) Mr Fitzherbert rose to order. The Premier had already spoken contrary to the rules of the Honse, without asking the wishes of the House to move an address. The Speaker : The Premier is perfectly in order in making a personal explanation, but not in criticising Mr O’Rorke’a speech. Mr Fitzherbert said Mr Vegel was attacking a member. The Speaker did not hear any attack on the Opposition.—(Cries of “Oh!”)—Mr Vogel thought the dignity and honor of the House required an explanation of such action as Mr O’Rorke had taken. He did not wish to discourage any political capital being made out of the circumstances. Mr Fitzherbert objected to Mr Vogel making a second speech, and called on the Speaker to interfere. The Speaker said, so far as the Premier had spoken he was quite in order. Mr Vogel said when the Government made the question a Government one to the fullest extent, and a member of the Government got up and said what Mr O’Rorke had said of his (Me Vogel’s) honor and veracity, and the honor and veracity of the Ministry were at stake, he thought, if the regulations of the House allowed, he would not permit a statement of the kind to pass without explanation. He was sorry to have to go inta Cabinet matters, because such should be kept secret from prying eyes, Mr O’Rorke was his colleague at present—(cheers and laughter)—and in the Cabinet had not opposed these resolutions— The Speaker ruled Mr Vogel was not in order in referring to Cabinet matters. Mr Vogel would put the matter in this way ; Mr O’Korke had nob signified to him, as head of the Government, or to any of his colleagues that he intended to oppose the resolution. The head of the Government would be placed in a most unfair and ambiguous position, if it was right for members of the Government to remain with their colleagues, and yet surprise them by taking such a course as Mr O Rorke had taken. It would be with great regret that he should lose the very assiduous earnest, and zealous assistance Mr O’Rorke had constantly and satisfactorily gave the Government. At the same time the Government were able to survive the shock. Notwithstanding the great departmental work done by the hon. member, they were able to get on if deprived of hia assistance. (Cries of “ Shame.”) He was responsible for the Government, but Mr O’Rorke had not yet retired from it, and yet thought it right at the last moment to make the speech he aid without signifying his intention to do so, or allowing it to be supposed in the reme tost manner such was the case or sueh hia wtonlaon.--(Opposition cries of “Order!”) The speaker said the Premier was in order. Mr Vogel said if it was any satisfaction to tbe members who thought it verv unwise or injudicious to do so, it should be at once remitted to the various eonstituenC10 ®; He moved an adjournment to Monday. t “ * he division list on the Land Bill: Ay<s—Messrs Acland, Baillie Bonar, Brett, Fraser Kenny, Menzies, Paterson, Peacook, Pollen, Richmond, R O . binsen, and Waterhouse, Noes—Messrs Buckley, Campbell, Chamberlain,* Gray Hart, Holmes, Mantell, Miller, Ngatata! Nurse, Rueuell, Stokes, Taylor, Williamson,