WELLINGTON.

Evening Star, Issue 3588, 22 August 1874, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

[Br Electric Telegraph.] (From our own Correspondent.) August 21. There was rare fuu in the Council this afternoon. Colonel Brett had a long notice in favor of the appointment of a standing army, which he moved in a highly characteristic speech. He abused the Volunteers right and left. Mr Scotland came to the defence of the Volunteers, and said they were better men than hirelings at thirteen penoe a-day. Captain Fraser: “I move those words be taken down. To apply such words to men who servo their country, is ungen tlemanly.” Mr Scotland: “Isay freely that the Volunteers are superior to those hirelings. I maintain it.” Captain Fraser again rose to a point of order—whether the non. gentleman should be allowed to use .such disreputable language. Mr Scotland : “I maintain that my language is not disreputable ; if I am liable to be called to order, 1 must be.” The Speaker said such language, applied to gentlemen who held commissions in the Queen’s service, was out of taste. Mr Scotland : “The bon. gentleman stigmatised my language as ungeu tlemanly. It is the first time in my life that such a thing has been said to me, and 1 hope it will be the last. Look at the Taranaki war: in some actions the Volunteers were abandoned by the Queen’s troops. ” —(Cries of “shame.”) Half-a-doem members rose at once to protest. Mr Rhodes came to Mr Scotland’s rescue, instancing the Hutt engagement, where a whole detachment of troops ran away from a tlozm Maories. Mr Kenny said the unfortunate turn in the debate was caused by CoL Brett’s speech. Dr Grace and Mr Manteil also defended the Volunteers; after which Mr Sootand withdrew his expressions, and Captain Fraser did the same. Un the previous question, what promised to be a violent debate, commenced. Mr Waterhouse, in a lengthy speech, endeavored to show that the Colony would be absolutely and irretrievably ruined if a limit was not at once placed to its borrowing. He moved an amendment that the second reading of the Loan Bill should not be proceeded with, because it refers to' expenditure as not being essential for the carrying out of the public works policy. Mr Holmes seconded, in an equally strong speech. the Council yesterday, by a considerable majority, resolved to legalise the practice of cremation, and adopted Mr Manteil’s amendment enabling any person by will to direct that his body should he burned instead of being buried. The only argument against cremation was that it would render it more difficult to detect murders by poison. This objection was urged by Mr Stokes and 001. Brett. The latter gentleman made himse f more than ordinarily ridiculous. He gravely asserted that if people were allowed to direct that their bodies should be burned murders would be doubled in number. Not content with this he tried to prove that cremation was unscriptnr&l, quoting in support of this view the text “ uet the dead bury their dead.” Mr Manteil well pointed out that it was a more direct violation of this order for the living to bury the dead, which was now the usual course.

The exact circumstances in connection with the close of the abolitioa debate were these. On Thursday it was arranged that Mr Fitzherbert should speak in the evening, and it was arranged accordingly, but on consulting his friends, he deglined to do so. .Next day the Government whip proposed that Mr Fitzherbert should speak at 7.30, Mr Stafford to follow, Mr T. B. Gillies next, and Mr Vogel to wind up the discussion. Messrs Fot and Ormohd desired td apeak, but if the proposal had been agreed to, would have waived their right. Mr Bunny replied that if Mr Stafford speaks at 7.30, Mr Fitzherbert will follow, then Mr Vogel can speak. Mr Gillies wished to avoid speaking if possible. Even after this it wai arrange! that Mr Ijitzherbirfc should speak, and then Messrs Stafford, Vogel, and any others who chjose, but just after the afternoon adjournment the Opposition broke through the arrangement, and at seven o’clock the following notice appeared in the lobbies :*‘ Mr Fitzherbert having again withdrawn from the arrangement entered into with him to speak at 7.30, Mr Stafford to follow, members are requested to be in the House, as there is every probability of a division being taken by surprise.” The Opposition claim eight more votes, on the ground that Messrs Pearce, Harrison, Von der Heyde, Johnstone, O’Boike, Wakefie:d, Wales, aud White, had been inadvertently shut out. The general impression is that the first two were willing to be left outside. Mr Vou der Heyde’s vote was exceedingly doubtful; Mr White is believed tp have abstained from voting, on account ot tho unexpected result of the Hokitika meeting.

The Chairman of Committee's easting vote declared the VVaitemata election void. Ihe following is the continuation of the great debate ;—(Jn Thursday, the first words of Mr Sheehan’s speech showed marks of careful preparation. He began well, but towards the end repeated himself and became tiresome. He was very severe on Mr Vogel, and made some good hits, assuming there was a grain of truth in his hypothesis, about personal Government, a bad night, a tit of indigestion, or nightmare, which might be followed by great constitutional changes. A medical department was wanted, (t was really a rattling speech, but much too long, aud very much too Young-New-Zea-iandish. Mr Tribe vas next. He contrived, in a brief speech, to pack a large amount of solid argument in favor of abolishing Provincialism. On one point he made what may be safely taken as a set-oS against Mr Sheehan’s personal Government theory: he held that general legislation and legislative indepnndeuce were killed by the Supenuten* followers in the House. There were eighV or nine 'Ehoffi' of'individuals each playmg their own little game, to the prevention of any true Colonial policy. Mr Gibbs made a few common-sense remarks in support of the Government resolutions; and was sacobdfcd by Mr Murray* whb was very wbak in his support of the Pro', v'mhch. .He wte ntfetfure atfcnxt them, and tWthfeV affe'b'tV'd the letting ‘ 4 l d&rh ntft!,

wait upon I wonld ” style ; but was parti* calarly strong in his oppos-lion to Mr Vogel's Government-s-and no wonder, bearing in mind that his peculiar manipulation of statis* tics had led him to the conclusion that their mode of dealing with the Northern Provinces prevents wool growing as luxu“PpQ the backs of sheep as in the middle Island. He was not sure but the government also exercised a prejudicial influence upon grain .crops. At least this seemed the gist of the figures quoted by the non. mcmbor. Thou c&tno Mt Be&der Wood’s brilliant argumentative and oratorical speech, and after him Mr Williamson’s funereal and miserable one. On Wednesday there was some good speaking. Mr Cuthbertaon surprised himself and his friends by exhibiting strong debating powers, and was dreadfully severe on the early mismanagement of Otago, which drove Southland into independence, and from this point of the debate we cannot do better than quote the ‘Tribune’s’ smartly-written comment end speeches. Mr Hunter, one of the Wellington members, spake next. Everyone knew how he would vote on a question of this kind. Provincialism to him was what the British Constitution used to be to the Tory gentlemen of England. Mr Webb made some remarks in favor of the Government proposal, and was followed by Mr Swanson on the opposite side. This gentleman is honest, according to his lights, but the Auckland electors must be very restricted in their choice of members when they have to be represented by Mr Swanson. Messrs White and Swanson are much of the same stamp j being the recognised jesters of the House, but the former is the ooarser of the two. The hon. member, Mr White, censured the House. It was refreshing to hear statements blurted out whioh more convent*onal members would not think of making Some of the hits of the hon member were really very good, and probably those aimed at enjoyed them fully as much as those who escaped scatheless. Mr White does not argue, he simply asseveates, and people laugh ; the end is thereby attained. This is a specimen of Mr White’s style. He could not see how any member in the Noith Island could vote for the resolution, even with the tempting bait before them of au office as resident agent. He had beard the three members for Taranaki intended to vote for the resolutions : fortunately they could not all be resident agents. He would impute no improper motives to the members for Taranaki, but he noticed whatever the Government, did'those members invariably followed it like lambs. We had no rotten boroughs in New Zealand, but Taranaki was akin to them. There mast be something in the atmosphere of that Province to unman the people. The Government had already as much to do as they could manage, and it would hot be right to impose heavier duties upon ‘ The Premier was a glutton for work, and reminded him of an American who was a vjrhale (|) at eatiqg peas. He had expected great things trot)} Mr Reader Wood, but was disappointed. That gentleman’s speech would have been heard with pleasure at a Young Men’s Christian Association. A great deal had been said about the expense of keeping np the Province. Why did not they abolish Parliament altogether, and appoint a dictator at once ? That would be infinitely cheaper. They had one Julius Ctesar; why not nave another Julias? If the Government would amend their resolution so as to make it provide for the abolition of the Province of Taranaki alone, he wonld give his hearty support to them. Then followed Mr Richardson, with what was undoubtedly the speech of the day, and the leading points of which you have JTfiday’e »peeohcS were common place. * ' f '■ . *

August 22. In the Council last night, the joint-corn-mittee in the Ward-Cnapmau affair brought up the following report(l ) The Committee have taken a considerable amount of evidence, with the object of ascertaining the sources through which the alleged telegrams were commun’cated to the * Daily Times.’ The Committee are satisfied that the ‘ Times’ received the telegrams from Mr Macassey, but the manner in which they came into his possession have not been satisfactorily proved. (2 ) The evidence taken has been of a very contradictory nature, ajjd indeed involves a distinct question of perjury on the part of one or two persons. The Committee suggest they should be freed from the necessity of reporting to the Council the evidence taken by them, and would recommend that their reports, together with all the evidence, should be transmitted to the Governor, together with an address, praying that a Royal Commission be appointed to make a full investigation into all matters connected with the inquiry ; and that if necessary an Act of Parliament be passed giving extraordinary powers to such commission to enforce the production of evidence, and that power be given ij; to grant an indemnity where evidence may be given by witnesses wh'.oh may tend to criminate themselves. (3) That in the opinion of the Committee irregularities in the -conduct of business in the Post and Telegraph Offices at Oamam have been disclosed. (4) That, with regard to Messrs Holdsworth and Clayton, the Committee are iinanimously of opinion that they have given their evidence in so straightforward and trnthfnl a manner as to justify confidence being continued in them for the future. They, therefore, earnestly recommend the Government to overlook their past misconduct. In the House, Mr Shepherd wanted the evidence produced, otherwise the public would jump to the conclusion that the evidence was suppressed in the interests of certain parties. Mr Sheehan characterised tho evidence as so intricate, and containing perjury of so bold a description, that further investigation was imperative. Mr Vogel intimated that he was at first opposed to an inquiry being held, but now there was such manifest perjury on one side or the other that further investigation was neoessajy. On Monday, resolutions will be tabled asking the Governor to immediately appoint a Commission, and the necessary legislation will be pressed on. There was terrible work in the House last night over the Manawatu claims. Mr Vogel said the Government, in obedience to the wish of the House, brought down a clause embracing L 5.000. which he was bound in the interests of the Colony to oppose as a grant though willing to advance as a loan? Mr Fitzherbert, in a towering passion, accused Mr Vogel of acting with vindictiveness. Mr Vogel replied that Mr Fitzherbert had so often deceived the House, that he was now trying to deceive himself. It was impossible, after what had occurred, for the Government to have any confidence in the Provincial authorities of Wellington. He was not to be deterred from doing his duty to the country by anything Mr Fitzherbert might do. Wellington gave the Government more trouble than all the Provinces together. He knew if the House had been asked to remove the Superintendent of Wellington, in consequence of his action re the audxWhip, the House would have done so. Mr Fiteherbert asierted that there was no mere »w! e “i? my ° f We , lUa g k< >Q than the Preinter, whom he acoussd of insensate greed fbr power. He also accused Mr Vogel of disgraceful conduct, aud said that poor as Weiand jnaster of millions as Mr ytt Beil hirMir Fox joined m. and reminded Mr Fitzhethfert nprthem part of the Provincb had GbvWVvf confidence in him. .The to 25. * < ** ned % ® Volfe 8 *

The second reading of the Loan Bill was carried by 24 to 9. The noes were—Messr Gray, Holmes, Keuny, Mantell, Nurse Paterson, Russell,. Stokes, and Waterhouse. A canons called by Mr Vogel this morning was largely attended, and those present were unanimous in a resolve to support a Bill next session to carry the abolition resolutions into effect. Mr Stafford strongly urged a specie! session in six weeks, to give effect to the re solutions ; but the majority, while thinking that there was nothing like striking the iron when it was hot, thought it impolitic, because it would interfere with shearing and ether pursuits. Messrs Vogel and Stafford will speak on Mr Fitzherbert’s resolutions ; bnt the inclination of the Government side will be to cenffne the speaking to the barest possible limits, so as to prorogue next week