THE NEW MINISTRY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1034, 18 October 1877, Page 3

THE NEW MINISTRY.

THE MINISTERIAL POLICY’. [By Telegraph.] The Hon the Premier, Sir George Grey, in stating the ministerial policy to the House on Monday evening, spoke as follows : —Sir, — Before proceeding to the orders of the day, I request the House to allow mo to make a brief statement as to the circumstances which have placed me in the position that I now occupy, and as to the course of proceeding which myself and those who have agreed to conduct with me the Government of the country are anxious to pursue. I would state, sir, to the House brielly what is within the knowledge of honorable gentlemen, that within the last few days what is called “ A Ministerial Crisis,” occurred ; that my hon friend the member for Dunedin city having proposed a vote of want of confidence in the administration, carried the vote, audit thereupon became incumbent upon him to assume the responsibility of forming a Ministry. Ho having requested my assistance, I felt it my duty to attempt to give effect to what was the manifest will of Ibis House, namely, that a change of administration should take place. I had very great difficulty in bringing that object about, for as hon gentlemen know, the House was divided into three parts, and it therefore became exceedingly difficult to reconcile the differences which had arisen. Upon the whole the only solution that I found could be satisfactorily accomplished is that which has taken place. I desire, in order, if possible, to show the House that it is our wish in every way to give effect to what we regard as the will of the House to state the course which under existing circumstances we propose to pursue. First I would say that at present only, comparatively speaking, a small number of gentlemen have taken office. Wo have divided the portfolios amongst us, and we propose very shortly to add to our number two additional members. The law permits ns to do that, but it docs not require it from ns. This is, however, the course we intend to pursue. Wo also intend following out the facilities given to us by the laws of New Zealand by associating with us certain members of the Native race. The great question is, what do we propose shall be the immediate object of our attention. If I have read the will of the House aright I understand that the one thing hon. members have at heart at the present moment is a thorough consideration of the financial condition of the colony, and then, connected with that, I understand that it is the desire that every possible retrenchment in our expenditure should be carried out which can be effected without injury to the welfare of the colony, and without affecting the efficiency of the public service. As yet we have had but little time to look into

THE FINANCES OF TUB COLONV, bnfc certainly the impression left on my mind is that they arc in such a state that the retrenchment desired by this House is absolutely necessary. I may say that it will be our duty very shortly indeed to apply to the House for further sums of money to carry on temporarily the administration of the affairs of the country. It will be within the knowledge of hon. gentlemen that even within the last few days an advance of £IOO,OOO was given by this House. We wei'cin hopes that we should have found that amount untouched when we came into office ; but that sum has been more than half exhausted. We have already trenched upon the remaining £44,000 that we found when wo took office in order to meet demands for payments, so that the residue now left does not exceed £38,000. Again, the House is aware that in its liberality it thought tit to authorise the Government to draw to the extent of £IOO,OOO without any vote of this House, to meet unforseen expenses. That reserve might have been available for us, but it also is nearly exhausted, and I think only about £3OOO of that sum remains at thepro' fleet Bjoujetft, The ffruiUiblo balance, therefore,

at oui’ command is so trifling that we must soon appeal to the liberality of the House to enable us to got “on even for the next few days. In addition to the immediate want of funds, I find, and my colleagues I think will agree with me, that the liabilities of the colony of Hew Zealand at the present moment considerably exceed those liabilities which we expected we should find in existence; blit upon this subject, and upon finance generally, I hope that to morrow, or at all events within a very short period, the Colonial Treasurer, the hon. member for Dunedin city, in bringing forward a motion for Committee of Supply, will give detailed information to the Homo which will set the subject clearly before the hon. gentlemen who compose this representative Chamber. With regard to the assets of the colony, I need hardly say that looking to its vast capabilities, and to the large sums now being realised from the sale of lands, which is a most material proof of its wealth, there can be no doubt that any funds the liberality of this House may place at the disposal of the gentlemen who may for the time being be conducting the affairs of the country, can very easily be obtained upon fitting terms, and that any financial difficulty must be only of momentary pressure, lasting only as long as this House pleases, and no longer. But with such demands upon its liberality the House has a right to insist upon very large

REDUCTIONS IN THE EXPENDITURE being made, and has a right to know the direction in which those reductions are likely to go. Now my own impression for some time past has been that the essential mode of carrying out great reductions must be by changing to a very great extent the system of administration prevailing within the colony. Hon. gentlemen all know that recently a very great change had taken place. Two great systems of administration existed the system of administration of the General Government and the system of administration of the Provincial Governments. Well, hon. gentlemen were pleased in their wisdom to destroy absolutely the Provincial Governments and the Provincial Legislatures. But in doing that they did not do away with the provin. ial system, and there is no doubt whatever that the two systems of administration have never yet merged into one another, and that a vast and unnecessary expenditure is incurred by attempting to conduct a system of administration not suited to one united Government. The great effort, therefore, which I think must be made, is to devise a system of administration of public affairs by which the whole administration will be grasped by the powerful hand of

ONE GOVERNMENT, if there is to be but one Government. By that means very great simplification in the conduct of public business will be brought about, and I feci satisfied that a reduction in expenditure may be made, which will even surpass the expectations of hon. gentlemen. Then again, by turning our attention to

THE MANAGEMENT Oi ORE RAILWAYS, I believe that a reduction in expenditure can be secured which will also quite meet the expectations of the House. In those two directions we intend to work, and I hope we may be successful in showing to the House that we arc worthy of the confidence which those hon. gentlemen have reposed in us who have placed us in this position. Now, sir, in addition to those two great modes of retrenchment, it is also necessary that retrenchment should proceed rapidly and, I trust, efficiently. In order that we may show our determination to do wdiat is right in that direction, we have resolved that as MINISTERS, we will commence with ourselves. This being done from a belief that it is the duty of the public men of this colony in a time of pressure to set an example, and I trust a fitting example, of economy in all respects. By commencing in that way, we shall leave our hands more unfettered to deal with other persons. It must not bo imagined that in commencing retrenchment of this kind we shall in any way fall upon those whose salaries are small, who are unable to protect themselves from any injustice or to interest persons powerful enough to advocate their cause. We shall as far as possible spare all persons so situated, and only interfere in cases in which the public good requires that those who can afford it should fall in with the prevailing system of economy. While saying that we are determined to carry out retrenchment of that sort, I add that we are also equally resolved that no public work of importance shall be neglected, that the system of

IMMIGRATION AND PUBLIC WORKS which lias been commenced shall be carried to completion, and I trust to a satisfactory one, because we are well aware that where so much has been done the works must not be allowed to be useless or to become lost from a neglect to finish them. We believe that the very retrenchment we propose to carry out, the very savings we intend to make, will enable us, by the Judicious application of the resources still left at our disposal, to carry on more energetically, and I trust more successfully than ever, the system of public works which has been commenced in New Zealand. In this respect 1 feel that wo shall derive great advantage from what has gone bcfoi’c, and be placed in a position superior to that which any preceding Ministry has occupied, because they had to deal with a new slate of things in a new country, and a country comparatively speaking unexplored, and had at times to encounter prejudices of a race who knew not what the Europeans were about in the works they were carrying out. Under such novel circumstances and under such peculiar difficulties it was quite certain that mistakes must bo made and failures occur — that for want of experience many things must be done more expensively than they need have been done—must be dune not so thoroughly and well as might have been the case under another system. With these examples and that experience before us, 1 think it may be in our power, if we devote ourselves properly to our duty, to carry on more efficiently than ever the public works of the colony — and the House may depend upon this, that if, as they have hitherto done, they will liberally aid in these great objects, they will find in us energetic public servants, prepared to the utmost to give effect to their wishes in that respect-. I now, sir, turn to another very interesting subject, namely the question of NATIVE LANDS, and the policy we shall pursue in rcfcrcnce to the Native race. With regard to Native lands, we propose at once to withdraw the Native Land Sales Suspension Bill. I find, on consultation with my colleagues, that they agree in the pretty general opinion that this measure is not popular with the native races and not likely in its present form to produce the advantages that were expected from it, but we find that really all necessary powers are conferred upon us by the Native Lands Act 1873, which will enable us to interfere to prevent all improper purchases fjtoai the

Natives, or all improper dealings with them, and we think that the powers so conferred will amply suffice to meet the needs of the present moment. Generally, with regard to the Native race, the House may depend upon this, that our policy will be of continued amalgamation, of instruction (o the Native race, of an attempt to encourage the most friendly relations with them I hope that, our acquaintance with the Native race being now so large, our dealings with them having existed for so many years, a policy such as I have stated may be greatly successful. Of this I am sure, the fact of my having to aid mo as a colleague a gentleman born in New Zealand, knowing the Natives from his childhood, and much regarded and esteemed by them, will be to me an advantage such as could not have been enjoyed by a Ministry in New Zealand at an earlier period of its history, because no person so born, so educated, and with such a knowledge of the feelings of the Native race, was then to be found in this country. I confe-s that I am anxious with respect to misapprehensions which may exist with regard to the intent ions of the gentlemen who are co-operating with me. I should like to remove all possible misapprehensions on some few questions. For instance, I understand it is thought by some people that I am hostile to WELLINGTON AS THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT. It may also be thought that because there is no Wellington member sitting on these benches with me the interests of this place may be neglected or not properly cared for. To the first point, I answer that I cannot conceive how any such misunderstanding can possibly arise. I think I may say with confidence that if any man in New Zealand is entitled to represent Wellington it is myself. All must admit that during the years I have known this place I have done my utmost to promote its interests. I have watched by Wellington in its cradle. I helped to nurture it in its earliest childhood, and it is not very likely that now in its maturer growth I should return to injure the place upon which in its infancy I bestowed such care. I think therefore perfect confidence may exist in all minds that even supposing—although it is by no means settled—that no member for Wellington sits upon these benches, there sits here one who must ever be a friend to the Wellington district. And then there are questions regarding PUBLIC LANDS, upon which a considerable misunderstanding may exist. For instance, it is quite possible that in the miuds of hon. members from Canterbury some misunderstanding may exist as to what the intention of this Government may be with regard to the leases of lands in their district. I can only say that although I am unable to pledge myself at this moment to any particular course, or to pledge those gentlemen sitting with me, perfect confidence may be placed in this, that we will carefully and calmly consider the whole question, and will endeavor to come to a solution that will be of advantage to the country, and satisfactory to all persons interested in those leases. With regard to the mode in which we propose to proceed with the BUSINESS BEFORE THE HOUSE I will remind hon. gentlemen that already within a few days of three months have been passed in the present session. Our duty requires us as speedily as possible to bring this session to a close, and with a view to that being done, we propose to take up a certain number of Bills we find on the table ; such, for instance, as the Land Bill, Mines Bill, Slaughterhouse Bill, Volunteer and other Lands Bills, New Zealand Consolidated Stock Bill, and some other measures of that kind, the whole of which I will si ate to the House in a day or two. Wo propose at the same time to drop a certain number of measures —an attempt to carry which would probabbly greatly lengthen the session—such as the Native Land Sales Suspension Bill, Land Drainage Bill, Fencing Bill, Charitable Institutions Bill, Harbors and Navigation Bill, and Settlements Works Advances Bill. By abandoning these Bills we shall very greatly reduce the business before the House; but wo also find there is a vast number of private Bills, many of which are of great importance, and wo have determined in reference to those

Bills to afford every assistance in our power to hon. gentlemen in getting their measures forward. We will place at the disposal of hon. members the largest number of days in the week that we can possibly afford, and hon. members may rely upon it that every facility will be given to them to get through all the measures to which the Government are not compelled by any particular cause to object. In that way I think the business of hon. members may bo got through with very much more facility than has been the case during the previous part of the session, and I hope .that really a very few weeks more will quite suffice to dispose of all necessary business. In considering public business, I wish to say, and I say this with some slight degree of hesitation, because I am alluding to a subject in which 1 am personally interested, that we propose to give a great deal of attention to questions connected with

THE GOEDFIEEDB. I am a member for a goldfields district, and I may perhaps bo inclined to magnify my office, but I do believe that the goldfields are so important an clement in the welfare of this colony that it is our duty to pay much more attention to them than has hitherto been done. This industry in New Zealand is yet in its infancy, but it must increase in importance for many years. Were it not for the financial difficulties of the colony at the present moment, we should even at this late period of the session have attempted to induce the House to create a separate department for the management of gold mines, with a Minister of Mines at its head. At present I will not press that upon the House, but it is our intention at an early date to return to it, and to learn the pleasure of the House in reference to what wo regard as a very important subject. With regard to the measures that wo ourselves shall devote our attention specially to, 1 have told the House that the first is the question of finance. The second is the great question of a change of administration. Then we intend to prepare a series of measures by which the R ICl’li K 3 ENTATIO.V of the colony may bo placed on what we regard as a footing far superior to that on which it at present stands. It is our determination, if possible, to place the representative system in New Zealand upon such a footing that the power of the popular will may be truly felt within the walls of this Chamber, so that when those great questions with which we propose to deal arise, we may then make certain that in carrying them out wo are giving effect to the true will, fairly ascertained, of the great majority of the population of New Zealand. This is an object which we are determined to attain, as essential

to the rights and welfare of all. It must be known to almost all hon. members that the opinions I myself hold on great questions are what are called Liberal opinions to even an advanced degree, but I trust that hon. gentlemen will give me credit for possessing at least some such wisdom that I would not attempt at any time to impose upon an unwilling country any views of my own. However necessary I might think they were for the welfare of the people, I should feel it my duty only to advance in such questions so far as the popular will of the country might at the moment demand. I shall endeavor to the very best of my ability to ascertain what the public desire may be, and having ascertained that, I shall strive to give effect to that desire. We have resolved to follow faithfully this rule—that, [in so far as the popular will may declare itself in the direction of those great measures which we conceive to be necessary, we will give effect to it. Whenever the mass of the population of New Zealand desire certain things to be done, if in our conviction those things ought to be done, we will carry them out to the very utmost of our power and to the very utmost of the means this House may place at our disposal. But if, on the other hand, the popular will should demand from us measures which we believe to be adverse to the public welfare and contrary to our own convictions, we will then instantly stand out of the way and allow other gentlemen to come forward who, agreeing with that which the public desire, are the proper and fitting instruments to give effect to the wishes of the people of the country. Holding these views, we do not intend during the session to attempt to press forward any of the great measures which I am so desirous of seeing introduced into this country. During the recess such of them as we think suited to the circumstances of the time shall be carefully prepared and shall be submitted next session. It will then be for hon. members to judge whether wo have faithfully fulfilled the trust which they have been pleased to place in our hands. It will be for them at the very commencement of next session to determine whether they have found in us persons who ought to have been entrusted with the powers given to us. It will be for them to resolve whether they will any longer give us that support which they have led us to anticipate we shall during this session receive from them. It will be for them to say whether we are fit to be the representative of what I may venture to call this really august Assembly. I deliberately apply that term to it, for hon. gentlemen must know that to many thousands of young people in New Zealand, who drew their first breath in this colony, and who now occupy positions ranging from boyhood to comparative maturity, this is the most august Assembly they have ever known. To them it is an Assembly which they recognise as possessing powers of the very highest kind, the power of deabng with the properties, the liberties, nay with the very lives of every inhabitant of these islands, and an Assembly which they cannot but look upon with reverence, clothed as it is with powers of so sacred a nature. Not only do we feel that to the people of New Zealand and to the rising generation we owe a great duty, a duty we are desirous in every way adequately to perform, but we know that upon this Assembly rests the building up of a new constitution, the greatest upon which the representative men of any nation can employ themselves. We know that you have destroyed one Constitution and that you have erected no other to take its place. We, therefore, desire that the people of New Zealand, under the improved system of representation which we propose to introduce, should have the power to make their voice and their will felt in the building up of the Constitution under which they and their descendants are to live. Not only will the present inhabitants of New Zealand therefore look upon this Assembly as an august body, but all the generations to come will look with pride and veneration upon us if we do our duty towards them in consolidating the basis upon which the future greatness of this country may be built up, and may endure for many ages. These are the duties we have at the present time to perform, andthey can only rightly be performed by taking the entire population of New Zealand into our confidence, and this we shall do. Hon. gentlemen may rest assured of this, that no single fact connected with the finances of the colony, with its administration, with any questions which will interest the public at large, or which may enable them to form opinions upon matters which may affect their future condition, shall be withheld from this House by us. Sir, in the great task upon which we are entering I ask the House to afford us a fair and generous assistance. If it does that, I assure hon. members that their assistance and their co-operation shall to the best of our ability be only in furthering the interests of the colony. Until we prove that we do not fulfil their expectations, I ask for that patience which all men should wish to see accorded to those wdio enter upon such a difficult task. If in any respect we fail, I ask the House to do justice to New Zealand, and be regardless of myself and of those who sib upon these benches with me.