GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1692, 23 July 1879, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, July 22. The motion of Mr Waterhouse, proposing on alteration in the law of entail was post- ** Mr Waterhouse said that in the present excited state of political affairs a subject ot euoh great importance would not receive consideration. , . , Mr Hall moved for a return of money spent on Native laud purchase. Mr Waterhouse made strong comments on the delays in the printing office, and tho reporting committee were ordered to investigate. A petition was received from one Black, of Auckland, complaining of a reference made to him in the Council last year by Mr Chamberlain. Several members said sue:; a petition was an infringement of Parliamentary privilege, and after warm discussion, Mr hambcrlam admitted that ho had been mistaken with regard to Black, to whom ho apologised. Tho debate on tho Address was resumed. Mr Hart strorg’y denounced the Government policy, , ~ Mr Wilson spoke in snpport of it, considering the Native policy on the whole a success. This statement was received with laughter. Sir F. D. Bell, at 5.30, moved the adjournment of the debate till next day. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, July 22. PETITIONS. Sir W. Fox presented a petition from W. Martin, seeking compensation for loss of office. Mr McLe • N presented n petition from Otago re Bible reading in schools. _ . MiDe Lautour presented a petition against the employment of Chinese on public works. notices. Mr Carrington gave notice to ask when tho lighthouse off Cape Egmont is to bo commenced. Honk Nahe will move —“That petitions not dealt with last session ha brought forward this.” _ Mr Bees gave notice to ask leave to introduce a Bill to transfer the powers of the Auckland Improvement Commissioners to the Auckland City Council. _, Mr Pykb gave notice to ask when the Otago Central Railway is to ho completed. PRIVILEGE. Mr Richardson desired to bring forward a question of privilege. It would be remembered that last session ho asked for a paper showing the lines of railway completed. He went to the clerk’s room to ask for the map connected with it, and was informed that it had been removed to the printing office, and thence to the strong room, and on its production it_ was found to have been touched up by coloring. He considered that such an irregularity should be inquired into. _ . .... The Speaker slid ho would inquire i-io it. Mi- MacANDKEW said the matter should have been mentioned to him, and it so he thought fee an picion of tampering would have been found without foundation. Mr Richardson thought it was a matter for tho House to enquire into, not the hon. gentleman. LOCAL BODIES’ BALANCE SHEETS._ The Premier laid on the table copies of municipal and county balance sheets. statement op ac:ounts. Mr Stevens asked when tho statements of the accounts of the colony would bo laid before them. The Premier replied that they would be published immediately. PAPERS produced. The Premier laid on the table papers relating to the Kopua meeting, confiscation of rebels* land, civil list account for 1879 and papers relating to tho exhibition in Sydiey. NEW MEMBER. Tho now member far the Eastern Maori District took the oath and his seat. classification op lands. Mr Hursthouse asked the Minister _ of Lands whether tho Government will this session introduce a Bill dealing with tho classification and price of waste lands with the view of reducing the minimum price at which Crown lands are now sold. Mr Thomson said the Land Bill, read n first time, fixes the minimum price nt 30s per acre, bnt it was not the intention of the Government to enter upon the work of classification of the lands. SHEEP INSPECTOR’S REPORT. In reply to Mr Seymour, the Premier said the reports of the Chief Inspector of b'heep would be laid on the table as soon as printed. SPARKS FROM RAILWAY ENGINES. Mr Ormond asked the Minister for Public Works whether an application was received from Mr Edward Watts, a settler resident nt Kaikoura, Hawke’s Bay, dated Ist February, making a claim for compensation for damage done by fire caused by sparks from a railway engine. If so, why snch application was not acknowledged and replied to ; also, what course the Government intend to pursue in respect to that and similar claims. Mr Macandrew said tho claim had been received in February last, and enquiries were instituted, bat be bad not yet been able to ascertain how it nt ;od. The last part of the question would have to bo dealt with by the House, and what stops tho House would adopt he could not say, but something would have to be done. REWI AND THE RAILWAY. Mr Ormond asked tho Native Minister whether Eewi Maniapoto J-ns agreed to give the land necessary for tho construction of the proposed railway from Waikato to Taranaki. If so, on what terms, and will the Government lay the papers on tho subject before this House. Mr Sheehan said ho intended to place such information as ho possessed before the House during the course of tie present debate, in which ho expected to take part that day GOVERNMENT HOUSE, HOKITIKA. Mr Barff asked the Government if they will lay before the House a return showing what rent has been paid for the occupation of the buildingknown ns Government House, Hokitika, since 1876, and to whom it has been paid. Tho Premier said rent had been paid, and particulars would bo laid on the table in a few days, WESTLAND DISTRICT COURT. ■ Mr Barff asked the Minister of J ustice if he will lay before the House certain returns concerning the sittings of Westland District Court promised last session. Mr Sheehan said the return asked for would be furnished. IMMIGRATION RETURNS. Mr Goldie asked the Minister for Immigration ,f he will lay before tho House a return giving the number ot immigrants received into the colony dnring the year ending 30th June, 1879; the localities in which such immigrants were located and their nationalities. Mr Gisborne said the return would be supplied in the ordinary papers on tho subject to be laid before tho House next day. INVERCARGILL GAOL. Mr Feldwick asked the Minister of Justice if ho will lay before tho House the reports in possession of Government regarding the condition of Invercargill Gaol. Mr Sheehan said there was no objection to lay tho papers before the House. GRANTS OP LAND TO DEFENCE FORCE. Mr Hamlin asked tho Minister of Native Affairs whether the Government have made tho inquiry promised on tho 4th October, 1878, in reference to the claims of members of the defence force for free grants of land. Mr Sheehan said tho promise of land was made en the late Col. Nixon’s own responsibility but he thought it better to have a Commission to inquire into all the circumstances of this promise, and the services rendered by the defence force referred to. BILLS INTRODUCED. Leave was given for tho introduction of tho following Bills : —Mr Barton’s Bill to constitute a Harbor Board for tho port of Wellington; Mr Hamlin, Onohnnga Water Reserves Bid; Sir G. Grey, Bill to enable Maori Owners of land to have same sold, leaded, or disposed of for their benefit by the Government of the colony, and to restrain unauthorised dealings in finch lands ; Bir G. Grey, Land Tax Act Amendment Bill; Mr Moorhousa, Bill to Amend tho Sheriff’s Act, 1858; Sir G. Grey, Income Tax BUI. THE ADDRESS IN REPLY. The adjourned debate on tho question—“ That a respectful address be presented to his Excellency in terms of tho draft reply read on Friday last,” was then taken. Mr Seymour George, tho mover of the adjournment, was called npon, bnt did not res.pond. Mr Barff regretted that his hon. colleague did not think it worth while to rise on so important an occasion. He had hoped to hear something from him which would have led him ■ (Mr Barff) back to the fold from which he had felt constrained to stray. He expected to hear something from him likely to explain away many inconsistencies of his own, as well as much inconsistency on tho part of his hon. friend, tho Premier. Ho was aware that when the return of Mr George was secured, from his antagonism to that return he might expect to bo looked upon with disfavor by tho friend of tho Premier whom’he had dared to oppose; bnt ho satisfied himself that ho followed ont an honest course, and cared little for tho result. He was prepared to support the Premier when he took office, although ho know his proclivity for nonfulfillment of promises. What he (Mr Barff) had Been since quite justified hii sccessiou from supporting an administration which had strewn tho floor of that House with broken promises. Ho wanted local self Government for the people more perfect than they had had since 1876. Notwithstanding all the promises made in that

direction he doubted whether any of the departments were in the same sta;e of efficiency as they were ten or fifteen years ago. Such departments seemed to be conducted by an under secretary, and this was n-t what should be expected from a Government taking power under such promises as the present administration did. Ho thought the occupants of the Government benches at the present time were worse than the Secretary of State in America, who on visiting the docks was surprised to find that “ the confounded thing was hollow,” when the hatches of a vessel were taken off to show him the depth of the hold. Then what should he say in reference to the Native policy, which was really beyond his comprehension. [Gear, hear J He knew a case where a Maori who was acknowledged to h ive a right to certain lands had to receive scrip from the Government. Europeans applied for and purchased some of his selections, and obtained grants, whilst the Native was unable to get any grant for the same, although clearly entitled to the same. He knew that one of the blocks confiscated, which the Natives had a prior claim upon for purchase, was sold to Europeans at 5s and 7s 6d an aero, whilst the Natives could not get their reserves defined. He did not wish to justify the action of the Natives, but be wanted to see fair play for both races, and a considerable reform in Native affairs. The Department had always been like the “ Old Man of the Sea,” and snch unsatisfactory condition should be remedied by a thorough reorganisation of the Department. He wished the House to notice the position of Native affairs, and to remedy the evils complained of. There was an attempt to place parties in a position of antagonism, to look npon one side as the rabble. But he did not care for that. He should vote for the amendment of the hon. member for Wanganui. Dr. Wallis said he rose to state that he should take an exactly opposite view to that of the list speaker. They had experienced a political earthquake in Wellington lately, and many difficulties had cropped up in consequence, financial and political. They had brought grave charges against Ministers, bringing out all that was reprehensible, bnt carefully avoiding any reference to the good deeds of Ministers, What would bo the result ? A liberal Ministry would be upset, and the splendid constitutional reforms which they had tried to introduce since they were elected would bo scattered to the winds. He appealed to all Liberals not to allow themselves to be led away, to the injury of that enlightened policy they bad seen introduced, and in support of an extraordinarily heterogeneous mass, calling themselves on Opposition of the Conservative classes. They had tried to establish party government, and were on the point of success. They had a Liberal party, willing to introduce such reforms as triennial Parliaments, electoral reform, bribery and corruption overruled. [Hear, hear ] Men could be wisely governed without cliques or parties, bat Now Zealand was not ripe for the higher class of government, and they must put up with officeholders and office seekers, the latter patiently waiting their turn to replace the former. They had all shades of men in Ministries. They had men from the south and the north, and recently one had been thrown in from the West Coast. [Laughter.] Ministers were beset with difficulties, caused by the very nature of their liberalism, which had many weak points. Dr. Wallis then went on to treat of the leading principles of Liberalism and its weakness. Ho contended that no Ministry should be condemned on mere questions of detail. Were the Opposition going to »'.eal the clothes’ of Ministers. There were nondescript politicians, and the middle parly, consisting of trimmers, who sought to benefit by any change. It would be well if they could put an end to these middle men, who were something between egg and chicken. It was the intention of the middle men to leave the House when the vote came on, and allow the party of the hon. member for Wanganui to step into the shoes of Ministers, when they would no doubt return and join the party triumphant. The Ministry had been charged with terrible offences, the Premier with being an autocrat and Cassar. Ho confessed they had preached without practising economy, that had been their great failing. They had not reduced salaries, or sold the Ministerial residences, as they intended to do, and they had created billets for Civil servants. But was not the Ministry of the hon. member for Mount Egmont equally extravagant. Then why put out one party for another possessing less claim. They had made too many appointments in the Civil Service, Justices of the Peace, and members of the Upper House, but they weie not worse than the other side. Who was to blame for the unlucky appointment of Mr Luckie ? Certainly not the Premier, who was opposed to it. They were endeavoring to carry out electoral reform and equalisation of taxation. As to Native affairs he asked conld mortal man do more than the Premier had done to settle the Native difficulty. Ho hod worked like a hero for that end. It was said that the Premier was always quarrelling with his Excellency, that he had turned the first sod of an unauthorised railway at the Thames before it was sanctioned by the House, and this was called bis Cmsarism. There must be a head, and the Premier was that head. He was not so much a Cmaar, because be endeavored to carry oat the desire of the House. Ho had discussed the faults of the Ministers, but they were few and trivial in comparison with their excellencies. He need only mention some of the Bills they intended to introduce to show what liberal measure of constitutional reform they were capable of. He spoke in favor of having a system of constitutional reform, which he said ho should like Ministers to introduce in their Electoral Bill, and concluded by referring to the nondescript character of the Opposition, who, he said, wore pleased to call themselves constitutionalists. He would like to know their policy. Would they go in for electoral reform, for abolishing bribery and corruption, or for borrowing money ? [‘‘Yes.’’] Ho knew they would answer to that. Re thought they should ask for a dissolution, and regretted the strong language used on both tides. Ho saw in the face of the hon. member for Wanganui a look of anxiety, and if he was to ask him to put out his tonguo he would be constrained to say, “ Oh, what a foul tongue.” [Laughter and cheers ] The amendment of Sir W. Fox as follows was then read to the House by the Speaker ‘‘ln conclusion, we beg to rospectfally submit to his Excellency that, in order to secure satisfactory results to the deliberations of Parliament, and to facilitate the proper discharge of the functions of Government, his Excellency’s advisers should possess the confidence of this House, and that we deem it our duty to represent to his Excellency that, in the opinion of this House, his present advisers have so neglected and mismanaged the administrative business of the Government of the colony, that they do not possess the confidence of this House.”

The question was put, when Mr Gisborne rose and paid he regretted the coarse taken by the Opposition in not allowing the address in reply to pass without such an addition, when they could have t-ken other means of expressing their want of appreciation of the present Ministry, He did not consider it courteous to his Excellency to adopt such a course, and questioned whether they were constitutional in so doing. The object was to oppose the great policy embodied in the speech, but they would allow the people to decide whether they should have such a policy by referring to the constitutional tribunal. The opponents of the polify had none of their own, but sought to possess themselves of it under very suspicious circumstances, and through the organ of acquirement. The charges brought against the Ministers by the hon. member for Wanganui went to show that they were not only sinners but publicans also. But the charges were none the leas trumpery in their character. Referring to the Native policy, ho said the Premier was accused of going to the Kopua meet ng without an invitation, whilst it was only an adjourned meeting, and no such invitation Iwas necessary, but it was their bounden duty to attend the meeting unless they had been expressly forbidden, to do so. Ministers withdrew the basis of previous negotiations, and in doing so acted rightly. What was the result of that meeting? Why, the King and his party had been peaceable and quiet, and Bewi had given a guarantee for the future, ns well as for the opening up of the country to European settlement. Referring to West Coast affairs, ho said the present Government were not at all to blame for this, but former Administrations, and especially the Government of Sir Julius Vogel and the hon. member tor Egmont. The survey was ordered before the present Government came into office, and they wore merely carrying out instructions given by their predecessors. No blame could be attributed to the Government for the crisis on the West Coast, and it was to the'r credit that more than 100 men had been taken without bloodshed, and wore awaiting the i-sue of their trial for on offence against the law. The Governor’s speech embodied what was good for the colony, and the amendment, conceived in a captions spirit, sought only to gratify per.-onal vengeance by the overthrow of the proposals embodied in the speech. [Hear, _ hear. 1 The Government would leave the question with confidence to the judgment of the House. He denied that he took office on more personal grounds. The House rose at 5 30. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7 30. ADDRESS IN REPLY. Mr Saunders rose, he said, to confirm the fact that there was little distinction between sides now, although the so-called Liberal side was fast going to discord. Tho members of the Ministry reminded him of rowers, pulling one way and going another. He did not profess to understand the Native question, but ho thought a little judicious letting alone would obviate any difficulty, and all that they had seen lately was the result of some fussiness on the part of the Go vornmont. He contended that it was owing to the action of honest, earnest settlers on tho West Coast, that 100 Natives were now safe in 1 custody, and not to tho Government. Dr. Wallace, who was on the other side, once told

him that he did not believe in Sir George Grey, but added, “ Who else could get them a railway against the wishes of the House ?” He thought the Electoral Bill, which was thrown out last session through the action of the Preaier. would have given the franchise to 70,000 of the pith and marrow of the country, and yet they were told that the conservative members, or Opposition, robbed the pith and marrow of the country of their votes. The speech of the Premier reminded him of a working man ho knew in England, who only knew one tune, known as a common metre, and if a long or short metro were wanted ho had to take a lit f le off or add a little on. This was the case with the Premier’s speech. He told the same story with a little added or taken from it, like the man with one tune. The Premier told them ho had never written anonymous letters, tending to injure the member for Wanganui. But he had no need to write himself, for he had established a kind of whipping establishment in various parts of the colony where offending members could be sent for chastisement, [Hoar, hear.] He did not think the Premier had therefore much to boast of, when he said he had not written an anonymous letter against the hon. member for Wanganui. Ho would one day have supported any Government promising measures of reform, but he was not now so easily led aside. Much as he should like to see an extension of franchise, he would much prefer to see those benches occupied by honest men, and in future ho should consider much more carefully the character of the men whom ha sustained on those benches, instead of sustaining any who tried to place class against class, and produce mischief not easily repaired. [Cheers.] Mr Bees said the speech of the last hen. member was the only one worth listening to on the side of the Opposition, and theonly thing upon which he could not compliment the last speaker, was that those who turn from their principles are always better. Assassins like they attempt to stab those who have raised them to power. [Laughter from Sir W. Fox.] He hoard that laughter, hut it was the laugh disclosing an empty mind. They had now for the first time the great principles of reform laid before them as Government measures, and he was disap. pointed that, when they came to this, an attack so trivial and ont of place should have been 1 stenod to as that emanating from the hon. member for Wanganui. Last year he heard that hon. member say there were tradesmen and artisans who oared nothing for I beral land laws. Bat they wore now told these laws were paramount. He never heard such a lame attack or accusation as that of the leader of the Opposition. The only point worth considering was that referring to Native policy. But on that an' ject the whole truth had not been spoken He then referred to Sir W. Fox’s connection with the confiscation policy, and attempted to show that the latter had deserted his former policy. Eeferring to the Waitara war, he maintained that the circumstances were only paralleled by the massacre of Glencoe, as narrated by Macaulay. There never was a more gross murder of innocent Natives and robbery of their land than on that occasion. The Waikato war had its origin at Waitara, and who conld blame the Maoris after their treatment. The hon. member for Egmont actually purchased from Natives for ,£51,000 the lands they had taken in confiscation, and upon deeds the same as for lands in Wellington or elsewhere. Jn 1866 they did worse. They took a deed of cession from Natives on the understanding that they were to hand back certain portions of the land; bnt they had never fulfilled any of that promise. And yet they talked of honest dealing. The Natives had, therefore, waited for thirteen years to get back lands. They came back to Hawke’s Bay to find a similar state of things—Government land purchases which a judge could be found to pass with the senseless statement that only oriental finesse had been employed, which was justifiable under the circumstances. He would sooner his tongue cleaved to the roof of his month than give such an opinion. Eeferring to the Kopua meeting, he said there sat side by side nt that meeting with murderers those whom the leader of the Opposition and his friends claimed as their friends. The country was full of intrigue against the peace of the country, and if the Government was left to the Opposition they would soon know what was meant. The Hikurangi proposals were a legacy of the previous administration, and now they conld claim the bravest warrior, the greatest chief of the Ngatimaniopoto, as their friend. Ho contended that the address from the throne was one of the ablest they had heard. It was a distinct enumeration of party principles, which was certain to bring down the opponents of the Ministry. The Government knew this when they embodied them in the speech, and were not surprised. What was the position when the Government came into power? They were told that the credit of the colony was gone. Yet nine millions of money were offered to Sir George Grey, when only three were wanted, and that could never ho the case with the hon. member for Egmont. Tho Premier had the Governor of the colony most nrc institutionally against him, and yet ho did not shrink from tho work upon which ho had entered. He contended that the hon. member for Wanganui sought to slide his amendment in, because he knew the difficulty, financially, in which he would place the Government if they recognised it. The fact was, the poor clerks and Government dependents would suffer through tho absence of funds so long as supply could not be granted, pending the disposal of this amendment to an address of such importance. The end of a statesman was something very different to merely ascertaining whether a friend had been roughly handled or not. They should seek to achieve the highest form of constitutional Government rather than deal with mere personal affairs. They should be carefal to follow out their destiny properly, and the past had not shown this to bo the desire of Ministers in this colony. He and those whe were with him came forward to stop corrupt Government, and to do battle for the people, and they were doing that to the best of their ability. They attempted to get into the straight path, notwithstanding the effort) of the other side to drag them back again. They might be betrayed by those who came to tho House to support the Government. They might be defeated by lobbying, bnt they would appeal to the country and gain the continence of the people, because they did not hunger after office or seek to acquire the lands for themselves, or to annoy and revenge themselves on their opponents. Tho Premier sought only the public good, and not acquisition of land, or honor or emolument. He sought to end a life spent in defence of his country with honor and brilliancy. [Cheers.] Mr Jackson spoke in favor of the Government, urging that he felt called upon to support their policy, because it was one which he had recently been returned to promote in the interest of his constituents.

Mr Thomson expressed astonishment at the action of the Opposition in not seeking to prove their case after proposing an amendment to the Address. [Hear, hear.] They refused to allow an Imprest Supply Bill to be brought is—[cries of “No” and “Hear”] —and the effect was that those who were entitled to salaries and contractors could not be paid, and great suffering would follow. They had opposed the Loan Bill, although they would be anxious enough to get it passed if they occupied the Ministerial benches, which they showed themselves in indecent haste to possess. Beferrirg to the action of Government with reference to advertising, he said if tho advertisements had been distributed the papers would not have been so violent against Government. Tho member for Wanganui said very little on this subject, because it was a charge brought against his administration, for it was shown that papers supporting bis Government received all the favours. Perhaps they would turn over a now leaf if they got back to the Government benches but the House had no g .arantce of that. As to public works, he would leave that to tho Public Works Minister, although bo thought that tho less the Opposition said against that Department the better. The Opposition of to day was minus a leader, and had been since tho days of Sir Julius Vogel. The hon. member for Wanganui was turned out of office on the ground of unconstitutional government, and they had another instance of history repeating itself. They had no reason to believe that the Opposition would do better if they crossed the floor of tho House. S'o far as the Natives were concerned, the policies were alike on the score of flour and sugar, but not with respect to the lands. He should like to know the policy of tho Opposition on that point. Perhaps the present Government had gone too much amongst the Natives, but Sir D. McLean and Dr. Pollen did the same. If the Government had taken no action in reference to tho Waikato-Taranaki line, tho hon. member for Wanganui would have been the first to complain. They were told it was better to treat the natives with indifference ; that if they wanted to buy fioh, for instance, they shouldnot appear anxious to buy, or they would pay more dearly for it. He thought tbe morality thus thowu rather shaky. They ehould apply the principle to Government as well as to buying fish, and they asked them if they should hand over the Government to a party who were able to overreach them in such small matters. The West Coast disturbance was the result of fanaticism, but could the Opposition have cured Te Whiti of his insanity, if they had been in office? He considered it would be a dishonor to tbe Government to go to w»r with tbe Native race at present, and be asked them if they would put men in power who would not hesitate to go to war. It might suit men in the North, but not those in tbe South, who were a manufacturing class. The House then adjourned till 10.30. On resuming, Dr. Hodqkinson said, in reference to the policy of Government, that he concurred therein. Although always opposed to what he considered the gambling policy of public works, be would not oppose tho loan for tho completion of works entered upon, bnt would have preferred that the last loan should have been spent in completing works begun, instead of commencing fresh works involving greater taxation and borrowing. He held that the taxation should be equally distributed amongst those who reapsd the most

benefit, and the Bill of last session did not meet this requirement. He should object to the J 2500 exemption, thinking that all alike should bear their fshare. He was sorry to hear that the Ministry proposed to go further, although from what had transpired he believed Government did not intend to force this measure. In opposing it he considered he assisted democratic Government, because believers in that would not reek to shift their responsibility. The country having been tempted to go into this expenditure for public works, a loan was absolutely necessary to complete the same. As to the amendment proposed by Sir W. Eox, ho did not consider it was brought forward on any point policy, and was devoid of any real dignity, being merely a scramble for office. Since the abolition of provinces he thought ho saw beginning of the decay of representative institutions. The people had a more limited choice of representatives. The would have to resort to professional politicians or mere delegates, instead of independent representatives. He had always been a democrat, though not a demagogue. But any party which had the good of the country at heart would receive his support. At tbe same time he thought this want of confiderci motion was brought forward to demoralise the syatem of Government at the caprice of certain members, who had their eyes on the Government benches. It was said that when a member became a party man he became a slave, and there was great truth in that. But on this account there was no question of policy before the House. He intended to publish his declaration of independence, but when a party with a policy good for the country came forward, he might be induced once more to take the yoke upon him. He acquitted Sir W. Fox of any mercenary motive in deserting his party on a former,occasion, when he joined the Min try of Sir Julius Vogel; but be did think his character a* a public man was destroyed. He bad committed political suicide, and must take the consequences of a verdict of felo de sc, He was dead to all greatness, and came with hi* colleagues before the House under false pretences and with the policy of the Government at their finger’s end. Ho trusted the country would put a right iiittvpretation on their conduct, and that a storm of indignation would be raised against their conduct which would be evil on their heads. His (fei r W. Fox’s) speech had degraded the House of Representatives, and was a most melancholy exhibition. In a figurative sense, they were a kind of body-snatchers, and ought to be denounced from end to end of the colony. They had the insufferable vanity to suppose that they oould administer the Government of the colony. Neither the Government nor the Opposition had risen to the occasion, according to his view of the matter. If any party should arise able to grapple with the question, he would give it his support. He almost despaired of the future of the colony, but would hope on that ssme statesman would arise able to grapple with the question at ia?ue. # Sir W. Fox rose on the question of adjournment being put, to state that the Opposition intended to go on to any hour until the question was disposed of rather than rest under the imputation of delaying the business of the country, but if the Government wished it, they were willing to give way, but only on that understanding. The Premier apologised for the absence of the hon. Native Minister, who was unwell that evening, and said it would be very unfair to close the debate without allowing him an opportunity of replying to the gross attacks upon his character. He would therefore ask for the adjournment of the debate until next evening. The debate was adjourned accordingly at 11.45.