GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 690, 5 September 1876, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

{Per Press Agency., HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Monday, September 4. The Housf met at 7.30. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. After a little formal business, Hon Major ATKINSON said, in accordance with a pledge given the other evening—[Sir Q. Grey rose to point of order, saying the law said the Attorney-General of New Zealand should not be a member of either Honse. Cries of "No, no."] The Hon Premier then read the names and offices of the different Ministers. In reference to the : formation of the Ministry, he said that the ' House had for some time been of opinion that there should be a political AttorneyGeneral, and in accordance with that wish Hon Mr Whitaker was appointed. Hon .lohn Hall has consented to assist Hon Dr Pollen in the Upper House, without portfolio or pay. Hon G. McLean has also consented to aid the Ministry at present, also without pay. Before the session closed, be would have to ask the Bouse to increase the number of salaried Ministers, in order that the work of the country could be carried on effectively. Sir Donald McLean did not intend to remain long in office, but would remain some mouths with the view of endeavoring to assimilate the government of the natives with that of the Europeans. Hon Dr Pollen also was desirous of being released from his duties. He explained that the hon gentleman had been many years in public, and that the time he was a Minister of the Crown would not be counted in his term as a civil servant. Hon E. Richardson had asked that he might also be relieved as soon after the end of the session as possible. The Hon the Premier then referred to Sir J. Vogel's retirement, and said the colony would suffer a great loss by his departure from it, and that when the history of New Zen land came to be written, he would be found to be one of her foremost if not first statesmea —one whose heart alike conceived and dared. They proposed to offer him the office of Agent-General, though they believed he would not* be prepared to hold it for more than a very short period, when they would ask the House to consider the whole question of the AgentGeneralship. On their main policy he said he must make the avowal that abolition would be carried out, and that provincialism in any form would not be resuscitated. It would be the duty and care of the Government to see that the transition from the old to the new should cause but little friction. For that object Government had already taken steps, but nothing would be more effectual than the cordial co-operation with existing Provincial Governments. Upon the questions of the land fund and separation, the House would expect a distinct avowal. He wished to make it as distinct as possible. The House has this session decided the question. The Government accept the decision, whatever may be the opinion of the individual members thereof. With regard to loans and public works they proposed to ask authority to raise two millions, but only one million this session, the chief portion of which would be required to meet provincial liabilities. They deemed it necessary that the main trunk lines of the colony should be carried on continuously, but not at such a rapid rate as heretofore. If the House determined to continue the system of public works, it would be necessary to give the Government power to raise the money. To stop public works at present would be a great disaster. He did not think it desirable to sell the £BOO,OOO guaranteed loan. In connection with loans, he would mention that the Act for the Inscription of Stock was admeasure from which the colony not only derived present advantages, but that it would greatly facilitate the raising of future loans. The credit of this arrangement was entirely due to Sir Julius Vogel, Regarding immigration, Government proposed to continue immigration, and especially to encourage the nominated system, in the hope that in no long time, nominated immigration, now increasing very fast, would meet all the requirements of the colony. Touching the financial arrangements of abolition, he said new arrangements would be made regarding the Hospitals and Museums. The question of education would bo considered next session, in the shape of some general measure for the whole colony. The Counties Bill waß also to be modified, by which it would be left to each county, after being mapped out, to decide whether they should avail themselves of the new Counties or make use of the system of Road Boards, and so make the County Councils merely distributive bodies. The Native Lands Bill, he said, would be abandoned. The Native Lands Purchase Department would be handed over to the Crown Lands Commissioners, with the view of doing away with that department as soon as possible. That was the policy he had to submit, and if it met the approval of the House, he made no doubt but the business could be got through in a month. The hon gentleman concluded as follows!—"I have submitted a policy

which I hope will be acceptable. There ia nothing in it probably which the House will not have anticipated ; for, bo far as we can see, there is but one policy open to the country. On the one hand, a steadv perseverance of our public works within the limits of our means; and on the other, prudent and efficient administration in all branches of the public service." The hou pentloman then moved the adjournment of the House, Mr Andrew asked le:we to move without notice, that the House disapproved of the proposed offer of the office ot'A.rent-General to Sir J. Vogel. This being objected to, he gave the usual notice to move. Upon putting the question of adjournment, Kir G. Grey again pnt his question with regard to the Attorney-Genera'ship. Hon F. Whitaker then made a personal explanation to the effect that it was well known that he held different views regarding separation to other members of the Ministry, but pointed out that while he was still of the same opinion, he felt bound to accept the decision of the House in the matter and would endeavor to loyally carry out the wishes of the House in the matter ; but he at the same time held himself at liberty if he saw a majority of the House hold the same views as himself on financial separation to separate from the Ministry and act at he thought proper under the circumstances. As to his appointment as Attorney-General, the hon gentleman went at some length into the provisions of the law on the matter, bat explained that he was not appointed under any Act upon the subject, but under the general powers of the Government in such a case. In replying to the statement by Mr Rees, he said he did not give the Government a legal opinion as to the appointment, but that he concurred in t. Mr KEES took objection to the number of Ministers, as being illegal, and quoted from the Statutes on thf question. Hon F. Whitaker said he would be happy to meet Mr Bees and Mr Stout (who " hear'd hear'd " him) in the Supreme Court that being the proper tribunal to discuss the point. Mr Thomson proceeded to take objection to the composition of the Ministry, whom he considered not a happy family. It appeared to him that the chief members of the Ministry were about to retire shortly. Take away the Native Minister, the Minister of Public Works, the Colonial Secretary, and he would ask what was left ; why they might as well form a Ministry by shaking the names of members in a bag, as have such a residuum left as they would have after the resignations referred to. He said if that plan were adopted, the composition of the Ministry would at least have been fairer, and the different parts of the colony better represented. He thought if they had an Executive Council at all, they should all remain in Wellington to consult together, and not have such an important officer as the Attorney-General resident at Auckland for eight months of the year. They might as well carry out the principle by getting members to forward their speeches to Wellington by telegram, and not have meetings of Parliament at all. He also took exception to the number of Ministers, saying Government might as well at once place their majority on the Government benches. He also took exception to the policy propounded as unsatisfactory. Mr Stout, who followed, said the Premier's policy was not very new, its root seemed to be abolition only, and that of a very wide kind. It seemed to be merely the abolition policy of the late Premier. W hile he would not discuss the policy on that occasion, he informed the House that the way in which the Ministry was formed waß altogether unprecedented. What amounted to a vote of want of confidence had been moved, and, so soon as a reconstruction took place, the mover of that motion was taken into the Ministry. It was nothing new to have op::n questions in the Cabinet, but it was not usual to see different members of th(3 Cabinet holding opposite views upon questions that must of necessity be Government questions. He also objected to taking gentlemen into the Cabinet without salary. It was a bad precedent, and was calculated to throw the Government of the country into the hands of the monied classes, and if it was necessary to place any number of gentlemen upon the benches, they should be paid. This practice was like putting gentlemen on Government benches as apprentices, to learn their duties, and receive no salary in consequence. Touching the appointment of Agent General, it seemed highly improper to discuss the question while the hon member for Wanganui was a member of the House. Such a course was quite unconstitutional and calculated to restrict freedom of discussion. The Ministry should have had the courage of their convictions, and appointed Sir J. Vogel at once, instead of practically asking the House to lead them in legislation. What position would the Government be in if the House refused to grant the appointment 1 Why, they would have to resign. l_H ear > hear, from Ministerial benches.] Another point referred to bv Mr Stout and Mr THOMSON waa as to an idea that was abroad, namely, that the Attorney-General was to take precedence of the Premier at Government House. Sir G. Grey pointedly asked if such a statement was true. The Premier said the question was not very clear to him, and he requested that notice be given in the usual way. Mr Rolleston asked how the two millions were to be raised. The Premier said when the matter came on in due course all necessary information would be elicited. The Honse adjourned at 9.40. POLITICAL NEWS. {From a correspondent of the Press.) The Gazette extraordinary contains the list of the Ministry as previously sent. The %on John Hall is without portfolio. He will, however, carry out the duties of the Postal and Telegraph Depart ments, leaving Hon Major Atkinson free to act solely as Premier. To-night the galleries are again crowded to hear Major Atkinson's statement, for the telegraphing of which the Press Agency has made arrangements with the department. Numerous notices of motion have been given, among others one by Mr Wakefield that the position of the Government whip is incompatible with that of chairman of petitions committee, meaning Mr Kelly. In the re-arrangement of seats on the Government Bench, Hon J. D. Ormond has taken Sir J. Vogel's and Sir J.Vogel has taken Mr Kelly's, the first to the right hand of the chair in front of the Government bench, Hon F. Whitaker sits behind, not on the Government benches. Sir J. Vogel looke greatly improved in physical health.