THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE SESSION.

Evening Star, Issue 4218, 2 September 1876, Page 4

THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE SESSION.

* In the Auckland papers appears the following letter by Mr Macfarlane, M.H.R., which explains the causes that have brought {ibout the disruption of the Auckland party : Wellington, August 22, 1876. Dear Sir, —Although you will learn much by telegraph of the squabble between sir George Grey and Mr Touks, I think it fair to give you my version, which you are at perfect liberty to publish in any way you like, and give me as the authority. After the division on the Separation resolutions, Sir George Grey tabled a motion that the Counties Bill and the other Government Bills • be read that day six months. This action took ns all by surprise, and on consult ng with Mr Whitaker, I found that he agreed With me that it would he folly to support Sir George Grey in such frivolous, idle, and factious Opposition, which only tended to lower the influence of .-Auckland members in the House. Mr Tonka came to me and asked what he would be expected to do, and I told him that Mr Whitaker and others would most certainly go against tir George, whereupon he wrote to' Sir George, asking him to call the members to a meeting. At the meeting Messrs Whitaker, Lusk, Tonks, and myself told Sir George that we ; . could not lend ourselves to wasting the public funds to the tune of LSOO a day, and at the same time bring obloquy and contempt on ourselves. Sir George took it very kindly from all of ns excepting Mr Tonks, and it appeared that* sooner than come to any terms with the “ unclean-handed gentry ” who occupied the position of Ministers, that Sir George would give up the ghost. Mr Tonks explained that his efforts were intended to get all the Auckland party (including those who voted against Separation) united, and that they should have been united. The meeting was then adjourned, to allow circulars to be sent to those members, and yesterday, when all were flfl^»Tnblndr Sir George Grey opened the frn.il by reading the manifesto, which he said he would telegraph to Auckland at once. You will have seen by the extraordinary statements uttered at the meeting by Sir George, and which I presume he telegraphed to Auckland, and that to follow him any longer would be simply to injure and de-troy the influence of Auckland, as has so long been done by mistaken opposition in the past. 1 explained to Sir George Grey at the meeting that if he would only act moderately and Carefully, every Auckland man would join, ‘and that on the Native Land Bill, or extravagance, the Government mi ht be turned out. Wiliams, Douglas, and others are wUHng to join in any attack r-n tlm Government that is agreed upon, but not on such questions aa “the freedom of the people—the human race of all humanity—ior all Ttrtr- time.” '/' hey want and demand fair di-tii bution of its revenue, economy in administration and justiee to Auckland, and t-..c*so aecured, little is cared for-by thorn, as also by most members about who aro Ministers, or who are to govern. If the Governn eit 'ip'coaducted in a proper way the land fund ' 'jraQi tte peqess. opd made yffiMrojFa’tfd wjll be as well off then as the South.— l ata, &c„ J. S, Macfariake.