Our Wellington Watchman

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 143, 9 June 1887, Page 2

Our Wellington Watchman

Wkixiugton, Juno 7. - I really am unable to see any difference in the political situation since last I wrote. The Opposition is perhaps a trifle more, and the Government a trifle less cocky than before, that is about the only change. Aa engagement all along the liae was anticipated in connection with Mr Ballance's Village Settlement scheme, but up to this date (5.30 p.m. Tuesday) it has not come off. We have had it is true several skirmishes — mere affairs of outposts — but no regular engagement. It is a case of "one funky and the other afraid." A dissolution appears imminent, but ne one knows what the next moment may ( bring forth. At the same time members are no doubt anxious to get back J to their constituents in order to prerent poaching on their preserves. I would that for the next few months j the electors of New Zealand had but one mind, and that mine j they would make, in that case, a pretty clean sweep of the present House, and give new men a show. - New members could not be worse than the majority of old ones, and it would be some time ere the greenhorns learnt politics -—and " politics" I only use as an euphemism for something worse. Monday afternoon was frittered away - in an interminable discussion on the [merits and dements of John Lundon, and Mr Taylor of Sydenham voiced ;the general fooling when he said ho v was a-sick of a 'earin that 'ere John Lundon' s name-." It was eventually determined to postpone the discussion until the evening when the returns called for would be presented, and we went on to the consideration of the West Coast Settlement Reserves Amendment Bill. Writing of an Amendment Bill •reminds me that out of a total of 36* Bills on the order paper of 6th Juno, exactly eighteen, or one half, were Amendment Bills. And yet we continue to select (alleged) lawyers as our representatives though quite half our bills are so badly drawn that they have to be amended. When will the people find out that lawyers are the greatest muddlers on earth of every species of business ? Their business, their living depends upon muddling, and they earn their living. Mr Samuels had a clause — lust a little clause — which he wished inserted. There is a great deal of claws about tho hon. Samuels. Major Atkinson supported the amendment, but Mr Taipua wanted tho Bill held over, to which tho Native Minister would not consent because the Bill though under consideration for the past three years — required consideration. When the House assembled in the'evening it was a very thin one and members looked bored to death, knowing they were assisting at .a farce and a pretty tame one at that, rfir Geurge Grey has moved down to the benches occupied by the leaders of the Opposition, and keeps his ey« very closely upon the Premier whom he loveth not. On resutuiug discussion on West Coast Settlement Act . Amendment Bill, the Premier gave one of those revolutionary declarations regarding land and the sacredness of land with which we are now so well acquainted and which have long ceased to stir our republican pulses. Incidentally the discussion turned upon the administration «f the Publio Trust Office, which should— l have had some experience of that dreary . departmental fraud —be called tho " New Zealand Circumlocution office." Mr Wi Pore thought that the statement tho Bill had originated in Ike Public Trust Office was a strong argument against the Bill, and the Houso appeared to cordially endorse the sentiment. Mr Samuels, although opposed, to the Native members on tho Bill, abused the Public Trust. Officer , ad lib. I think he called it the incarnation of red tape — or " words to that effect," »& they say at Courts Martial. At the same time, though Mr Samuels thought no Government Department oould be worse managed than tho Public Trust, and though this was that department's bill, he yot thought that having gone on (mud* dling) so far they had setter continue. This at least was the only possible logical deduction and this Sir George Grey deduced. Thereupon little Mr Samuels became huffy. Ho put both his hands in hit little pock* etc, arched his little back, and looked as a small and cheeky boy who knows the schoolmaster may not cain him. Some years ago there was a olassical piece of poetry very fashionable in London among Mr Edwin Wakefield's friends tho "lower orders." It ran if my memory servos, as follows ; — " I'm a chickaloery bloke with my one, two, three, Whiteohapel vas the town I yas born in ; Who would catch me on the hop, or on my tively top, Must get up bloomin' early in the mornin'." Will Mr Samuel pardon me for remarking that when he is angry and knowing he might sit — I really blush to writo it — for the Chiokaleery Bloke? Well, tho Maori members stuck manfully to their guns, opposed tho bilj:-^ tooth and nail, and eventually ' Mr *' Ballance had to give them time to rocousider the Bill, and he moved to report progress. Tuesday, June 7, 2.30 p.m. — A thin house. Sir Julius Yogel and Mr Ormond fought out a little and uninteresting personal grievance and said hard things of one another, but at these episodes are the rule and not tho excepsion there is no necessity to en- , large. The only member who appeared to pay the smallest attention to the row was Mr Koss who sat : upright beaming from a distance upon the combatauts with his amiable tolerant smile as one who would say : •' Yes, my dear friends, we're all sinners, we've all done it, for I've even been there myself," Then the Premier moved that we proceed to

the orders of the day, aud we proceeded accordingly aud as we got to the Public Revenues Bill some of the vacant Beats were filled. Mr Duncan, whom I have nevor heard speak before, said something in n foreign language, prpsiiniiibly and :ts only the It'ium members an; allowed interpreters I am unable to reproduce the hon. gentleman's remarks. We were soon again on the track of the everlasting village settlements, and both Major Atkinson and myseU opined the mutter should be broughi to a close. The Major required a distinct statement of what the Government intended to do in the matter, and of the exact position of eternal Luudou. Then Mr Bailance proceeded t«» give the desired information, and if any member was wiser afterwardj I must congratulate that member upon "Ifis unearthly penetration. One thing however, was abundantly evident, the Government gave up their friend Luudon whe it was asserted had nevei been an officer of the Department, though he appears to have ordered the other officers about. Mr Fishei said a few words and acted as usual a red rag to Sir Robert's bull. Fishei complained of the unauthorized disbursements made by the Government in connection with these settlements, and to the Premier's disgust dared to speak of Constitutional Law — that being of course a subject of which Sir Robert possesses the monopoly. But the debate flagged, both Premier and Minister ef Lands became 'umble as Uriah Heap. Mr Montgomery made a few remarks in an unknown tongue, and Mr Hursthouse dreamed of merry Motueka— wherever that is. By the way, Mr Hursthouse gets a good deal of sound and health-giving rest in the House. But if ha sleeps 'tis the sleep of the wary and wiry terrier — •ne eye opened and both ears cocked. Let but an hon. member refer to Motueka in the softest tones and Motueka is "on guard" immediately, ready for any rat that comes along. Mr Bailance said the Government intended in the next two or three months, t# put 150 families on the land in various parts of New Zealand but if the Opposition objected they would not. Mr Buchanan said a few words quietly but impressively as he usually speaks. Mr B. is one of those gentlemen who do not — if I may use the expression — blather. Mr tiutter would like to know how the ministry proposed to finance tot thes» families, and Mr Richardson in a very good little speech pointed out that the land policy was responsible for the unemployed cry which was only heard in the large cities, and not in the country. He knew of many men with money who had lately come to the colony, but who were unable to obtain land, on reasonable terms had gone elsewhere. Tuesday, 7.30 p.m.— A meagre House with Mr Scobie MacKenzie on his legs. We had the usual reference to the British House of Commons, and then the Premier, suddenly forgetting his'unibleness, "wrestled" with Scobie who he declared had given no new ideas but had only picked up scraps of information from other members. Then our Robert became both " cocky" aud patriotic. He mounted one of his high horses and galloped about in the pasturages of pure patriotism and land policy. But we are getting cynical, and even Dargaville, who does not like rivals in the high-falu-tin, forgot to applaud. This part of the entertainment soen degenerated into a kind of jangle — question and answer — between Scobie and the Premier, and the bluid of Scotland would warm. Stout set out to make an election speech of the type with which New Zealand is tolerably familiar, but Mr MacKenzie's interruptions disconcerted' him and he tailed off. There yras some little excitement and it struck me some gentlemen in the stranger's gallery kindly assisted, with applause and audible remarks, at the debate. Eventually Sir George Grey arose. " The question," he said " before the House was the establishment of a nation. Some of us have passed a long life in establishing nations, and we surely may be heard when these wild theories are put forward." Then Mr Dargaville let off the regulation laugh. " The hou. member for Auckland City West laughs," said Sir George. Dargaville denied this, but said " I'm laughing n"M>, Sir George." " It doesn't matter," he said simply. The hon. and venerable member then addressed himself to the land question generally, frequently and rudely interrupted, I grieve for the honor oi New Zealand to say, not only by the Premier, but by the professional larrikins of the House. He was verj severe upon the village settlement* and indignant about the discharge oi some person connected therewith, whose name did not transpire. H< declared that these village settlement* had not beau given to the umemployed He had heard that two maiden ladiei had been given land. They surely wer< not unemployed. Some one said "w< don't know that," raising a laugh ii which Sir George joined. The age( stateman's speech was, it must b< admitted, severe, but neither vehemen "nor "ln any sense— except a politics one — personal. That it was no coarse goes without saying. I thinl the whole house was astonished an< disgusted at Sir Robert Stout's rejoin der. Writing in cold blood and som houre after the event, t«tn only truth fully characterise thut rejoinder a brutal. Sir Robert so far forgot th respect due by every man to extrem old age, as to taunt Sir George wit] his loss of memory, with his lonel; and forsaken oondition, with th career ho (according t« Sir Robert 1 statement) bad missed. Worse, h coarsely attempted to mimic Si George Grey's mode of speaking, hi occasionally weak ana tremulou tones. Such an exhibition was neve previously made by the Premier c any country. I will say no more. Si Robert was coldly listened to even b his colleagues, aud resumed his sea

; amidst chilly sileuce. I Nemesis was on hand. Mr Fergus, large of limb, powerful of voice ' and handaonie of feature arose, gave one tug at his great heard, opened his big chest and— crash ! let »Sir Robert have it straight from tho shonldor. "The honorable Premier," he said, " has just in most admirable language > admirably painted his own character. » When we remember, a few years ago, [ his fulsome admiration of the hon. E gentleman he has just so shamefully t vilified, whom he uiico designed " the i greatest statesman in the southern . hemisphere," we must be astounded at , such a disgraceful attack. I have I never had the admiration for the I honorable member for Auckland City I East that the Premier professed, but I i should have been ashamed to use the i language he has. (Loud cheers.) r The honorable Premier waxed eloI queut when he spoke of the career Sir I George Grey had before him, I would r use the same words to the Premier. He has missed his career and disi gusted his best friends." Mr Fergus r went on to declare that Sir George had i lifted both the Premier and Minister r of Lands from insignificance to pro- ! minence. "Long after the Premier ; is dead and forgotten," he declared, "the name of Sir George Grey will live \ in the history of New Zealand." The ; Premier had lifted himself into a little prominence but he had dragged fame in the dirt to satisfy his own mean ambition, and now he deliberately kicked down the ladder by which he had ascended. But his name was now received with derision and scorn when- 1 ever it was mentioued and at the greatest public meeting ever held in this country he was derided." All this and more was said in loud ringing tones and in a manner thoroughly earnest. 10.30. — Mr Fergus is finished. I have had enough of these wrangles and will go. And this! ami thh\ is New Zealand's parliament. God help her. I say it reverently. Continuation of reading matter on 4>th page