GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1032, 16 October 1877, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Telegraph.] j [PEE PEESB AGENCY.] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Monday, October 15. The House met at 7.30 p.m. The new Ministers occupied the Government Benches. Leave of absence for fourteen days was granted to Mr Taiaroa. MB LUSK'S CASE. Mr Fox, as chairman of the Privileges Committeo on Mr Lusk's question, gave notice to move, that Mr Lusk's conduct was derogatory to the dignity of Parliament, and that he be required to refund the fees received by him from the Auckland City Council. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. Sir Geoege GEBY made a Ministerial Statement. He said Mr Larnach jhad requested his assistance in forming a Ministry. He had done so, and had endeavoured to reconcile the differences arising from a division of the House into three parties. The Ministry was not yet completed, but it was intended shortly to add two more members to the Ministry as well as certain Native members. A thorough consideration of the financial position of the colony, and every possible retrenchment, were, ho thought, the most important subjects before the country. They had not had much time to look into the finances of the colony, but what had been seen shewed that retrenchment was absolutely necessary, and in course of a few days a further imprest would bo yeauired to meet current expenditure, as even

the last £IOO,OOO granted was more than half expended when they took office. The colonial liabilities also were found to greatly exceed those which they expected to find. The Treasurer would to-morrow make a full statement on the subject. Any financial difficulty was, however, only likely to be temporary. Retrenchment could, he thought, best be effected by changing to some extent the mode of administration throughout the colony. The Provincial Governments had been absolutely destroyed, but not the Provincial system of administration, which caused a vast and useless expenditure. If the administration were concentrated in the hands of the central Government very large reductions in expenditure could be made. Large savings could also be made in railway management, and to both these subjects the best attention of the Government would bo given. Smaller matters would also be attended to in the way of retrenchment, and Ministers intended to set an example of economy by beginning with themselves and reducing their own salaries. As far as possible salaries of small amounts would not be interfered with. No public works of importance would be neglected, but the Immigration and Public Works Policy would be carried on fully, and by judicious administration they hoped to be able to carry on that policy more energetically and more successfully than had ever yet been the case, and having the benefit of the experience of the former Government, who had entered on what was a novel policy and under great difficulties, ho hoped the Government would profit by the experience of thepast. Regarding Native lands, they proposed to withdraw the Native Lands Sales Suspension Bill. The Act of 1873 gave the Government full powers to prevent any improper trafficing in Native lands. The Government policy to natives generally would be to cultivate most friendly relations, and in doing this the Government had the advantage of a Native Minister born in the colony and brought up amongst the natives. He denied that they had any hostility to Wellington as the seat of Government. If any man was entitled to represent Wellington interests it was himself, as he had been connected with it. from its foundation almost. He was a firm friend to Wellington, and even if eventually no Wellington man found a seat on the Government benches its interests were quite safe. He was unable to give any pledge regarding the land fund, but the Government would fully, carefully, and calmly consider the whole question, in order to come to a conclusion satisfactory to the colony and just to all parties. The Government desired to bring the session to a close as soon as possible. They would take up the Land Bill, Mines Bill, Slaughter Houses Bill, Volunteers Land Bill, Consolidated Stocks Bill, and others. The Land Drainage Bill, Fencing Bill, Charitable Institutions Bill, Harbor Bills, and Settlement Work 3 Bill would be dropped. Every facility would be given to private members to push on their Bills consistent with ending the session in three or four weeks. The Government intended to give a great deal of attention to the goldfields, and would take the sense of the House on making a separate Department of Mines under a responsible Minister. They proposed as early as possible to place the representation of the country on a more satisfactory basis. He would not attempt to go beyond the popular will of the country on any matter, or impose his own views on an unwilling country. Wherever a mass of the population desired certain things to be done they would carry them out if they approved of them, and if they could not conscientiously give effect to those dem.ar.ds they would retire and allow others to carry them out. They did not this session propose to bring forward any great measure, but would during the recess give attention to the best means of dealing with great questions which required attention, and it would be for the House next session to pronounce an opinion on tho?e measures, and say whether the Ministry should be entrusted with the task of giving effect to the will of that august assembly. The Government would take the House and the country into its fullest confidence. No information as to its finances or other matters would be withheld, and he appealed for fair and reasonable consideration from the House.