PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1269, 23 August 1872, Page 2

PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT.

DEBATE ON STAFFORD'S RESOLUTIONS. MR. FOX'S REFLY. : Wellington, Aug. 22. Mr Fox complained of the vagueness of the indictment preferred by Mr Staft'ovd. There was nothing precise in it to answer —nothing but empty declamation devoid

of truth. Mr Stafford, in saying that the Provinces had been superseded, had entirely mistaken thej charapt?r of *the-t Public Works policy! '•'' Thif^Provirices were still carrying on public works of certain kinds— roads, bridges, &c.,—- as they had always done^and, .w.ould^contUiue»i o . ? do so. The Government, policy had been -initiated' for -the purpose of constructing a totally different class t^gf^publjip .^works,.. Mr Stafford had complained of Mr Vogel's brilliant imagination, but want of prudent foresight. Mr^Staffprd had neither himself. j What had he ever shown of the former? I And as to the latter the Governor's

speech 7 of 1867 stated that the Colony was in a state of profound peace, and that there was no probability of its ever again having a war, but in a few months wars were raging on the East and West Coasts, while the Government were unprepared and without resources. Was this prudent foresight?' 'He : denied that the /San Francisco contract was either an expensive or an inefficient one. The House had ratified all that Mr Yogel done in the matter last session. • He believed the advantages of an American company were far greater than any from the employment of an English company, and he would .always remember with pride /his being member of a Government which established direct communication .with •America, from which untold advantages were sure, to accrue.. Mr Vogel'a negotiations with Mr Brogden had been ratified last session, and now, in terms of the resolutions thea passed, what was substantially nu^ three^contr JcUifldxb.egn entered into, and ( , all.. contracts let under it. He denied that the administration of the country in any/way 'suffered from the absence of ' Minister's. In 3 859^ Mr Stafford, while y Premier and- Colonial Secretary, wentnome for .two ..years.., In 1 1865-66 Ministers were constantly scattered abroad, yet the Hon. Mr Stafford wanted to turn the Ministry out for doing what he and his ' colleagues had done themselves for years. He admitted that the conduct of the Government immigration was not beyond criticism, but the subject' was one of great magnitude and difficulty, regulated often by circumstances beyond the control of any Government. Whatever shortcomings were apparent Ministers had done everthing possible to remedy them. Altogether he; was sure the House, on due consideration, would say that during the eight months in which it had alone been possible to carry out the scheme the Government had neither been lax, negligent, nor inefficient. Regarding the increase of the floating debt, the ..Government in 1869, when they took office, obtained authority for L 300,000; Tr-eaSury;~bllls" "to pay, off the liabilMetf'&f Hniir predecessors.^ Since that only. L90,00Q more Treasury) Bills have been issued. Last session! L100 ; 000 -Deficiency Bills were- author-! ised. LBOOO of these were already paid off, while the present Estimates provided for .the i payment ollAQ^,' ■Ut^i^qtdL had carefully avoided reference Jio^natiy^ affairs. The reason was- evident, j but he was authorised to state that,- if jthe Minktry were to go out, the Native Minister would-do-likewisej-andnotfas-rumored-, join a, jaew, . .Governments- $&j, ; Sjajfford's reference to local machinery was suspicious. Did he still wish : the'iCouhfy system? Did he still wish to conquer a permanent peace, or had he any explanation %i W&' Timaru* speech' iabout 1 ' overriding land 'laws. The present Government had established peace, inspired confidence in the Native mind, initiated a large' p6l?gy_of colonisation, and the House would require greater justification than Mr Stafford's speech tb'turh them out. • Mr Reid supported the motion, entering into details regarding the Otago rißFways, which, he* said,' cost L 60,000 more than if ,h.ad^ been , lei},, by/ public tender. Mr M'Gillivray supported- the Government. He saw in its members high prin-ciples-^nd--honesty--of^purposef-Bnd' r he would not displace tHemHill he saw better tnen to ( take their, place., ,J r 1 *Mr Bunny supported the reaolutiop, ja a .change of Government was' absolutely necessary to the successful administration of the policy. Affairs during the recess had been allowed to drift, and the Government had practically been ; in, jjthe hands of a few Under-Secretaries. The Hutt3ailway^would.costJJlsoo-peif-«iUe above wha^ it, could, be M,fp?iby private tender. The cost of the Civil Service could be reduced one-half. : ' " '/ . Mr Parata condemned the conduce of the Government in native matters, and .supported the resolution. Mr Tribe defended the Government. They had not had time for affair trial. The charges brought against the Ministry were weak. , The people of Westland would regret a change. of Governments. Brogden's introduction was' beneficial to the. Colony. For the first time an the Colony the present Ministry had ptop'osed to take off a tax already imposed. ' ' J Mr Reeves moved the adjournment of the debate. Mr Reeves resumed the debate. ; He explained at considerable length the details of the Clutha and Mataura Railway, alluded to by Mr Reid, showing how the Engineer's estimates had been exceeded, and justifying the prices paid. Mr Brogden admitted that if open to tender the prices might have been less, but this course was riot open to the Government, as the action , of the House, last session compelled the Government to give Mr

Brogden a certain amount of work at a^ fair price.; In no case had the price been more than' fair and reasonable, and the w engintfrs''were quite satisfied that the interests of the Colony had not suffered in the transaction. MW Mc tt .Gurtia«flupported*»the'»resolations. He blamed the Government for delay and their action !in reference to theFoxhill spending the ..whole. L 24,000 in making a double road" Irom Reefton' to Westport and Greymouth.-' He also" accused the Government^ 'givj^SS per cent more than was authdris(sißfeß»the Picton and Blenheim line, , while, the, w>rk was 25 per cent, inferior' to the original f intention. •■-' ' :' Mr Bathgate thought the Gdverrinteht had endeavored honestly 'iind fairly to carry out the decision fpfce'4: dii'it.by a . majority, including Mr " Stafford, last session. Mistakes from inexperience had been made; but would have been by any set of men". Talking of .aiasumulating Provincial experience in such matters was nonsense. He objected; tb' taKe^ the administration of the policy out of the Hands of its warm, earnest; 1 hearty TiMends^ to entrust it to those of its consistent opponents. .....-=■ ( „, ;<