[NEW ZEALAND PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1281, 14 September 1872, Page 2

[NEW ZEALAND PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Wellington, Sept. 13, 8 p..m

In the House to-day, Mr Stafford said that Mr Curtis will be Commissioner of Stamps and Customs, temporary Post-master-General, and Telegraph Commissioner ; Mr Sewell to be Colonial Secretary aud the sole medium of communication' with the Agent-General, He felt that the public works would require the sole attention of one of the Ministry ; therefore the immigration would ba given into the hands of Mr Fitzherbert. The Government was convinced . that; the whole of the public works policy depended, on the introduction and settlement of immigrants, and Mr Fitz-. Herbert would devote his attention to those points. He would also examine into the state of surveys throughout the Colony with a view to the introduction of a reliable uniform system throughout the Colony which, while not ignoring the value of information and work already accumulated, would secure for the future unity of action, especially in reference to trigonometrical surveys. Mr Fitzherbert would also superintend the Crown Lands department. He stated that the Tiidepc ndentfs assertion that' Mr Moorhouse's resignation,- owing to Mr Fitzherbert's appointment, was absolutely «' without foundation. Mr Moorhouse carried his resignation about for several days, and sent it in within half an hour after the Ministry took office. They did not accept it till two days, and after three Ministers had seen Mr Moorhouse to induce him to withdraw it. The Independent's other statement that Mr Fitzherbert expected a permanent office was also untrue. He disapproved of the practice, like Mr Gisborne's, of Ministers securing permanent office, and would never countenance it. Government intended to co-operate most fully with the Provinces regarding the introduction and location of immigrants. The Ministry was formed on the" principle of main taining'the unity of the Colony, with the seat of Government at Wellington. He would oppose any direct or indirect attempt at separation, and meet Mr Reynolds's and Mr Macandrew's motions by the previous question. At the same time he admitted the existence of a feeling in favor of insular separation, both in the North and South Islands, and during the recess the Government would carefully consider whether such administrative machinery could be devised as would remove the causes for such a feeling. The Government intended, as soon as funds allowed, to proceed with the railways, already authorised, but it was evident that the funds at command were not sufficient to complete anything like the whole of the lines in the schedule of the Railway Act. The contracts let absorbed nearly three-fourths of the amount available, and rolling stock, departmental charges, and interest would only leave an inconsiderable balance. It was necessary, therefore, to consider the means to obtain funds for the completion, sooner or later, of other lines, and until this was done no new contracts beyondjpresent means would be entered into ; and in any future contracts, he pledged the Government not to give any amount in excess of the price authorised by Parliament, which would fix the amount, and they would not ex* coed it. -They would, as quickly as possible, expend the amount voted for works north of Auckland. Wherever unembarrassed by existing arrangements, they will let all works by tender. The Ministry would give effect to the opinions on Native matters expressed by him in his speech in reply. At the present period of the session the Government would not take up any loan or new questions. He hoped the session would close in a month. In order to save time the Government would accept their predecessors' Estimates .generally, but would endeavor to reduce them as largely as possible when before the House. The Government would strenuously endeavor to bring the ordinary expenditure within tHe ordinary revenue of the Colony, aad avoid :'icrea> ing the floating debt. He admitted the i,.owth of public dissatisfaction at the increase of the civil service,, and intended to ask for the appointment of a Parliamentary Commission to enqu';o into the matter during the recess, and recommend the steps to be taken by the House next session. He approved of the principle of his predecessors on the Public Revenues Bill, but would not pledge himself to all its details. Ho', would, next session, introduoe a new Gold-mining Bill, a Native Lands Court Bill, and a Bill to supplement existing machinery where defective regarding education, so as to make the opportunity of primary education available in all parts of the country. This.

measure would not interfere with existing systems, where satisfactory. He would circulate the '", Gold-mining and Native Lands Bills through the country prior to next session, and the Education Bill, if possible. He would also consider the question of gaol discipline, with a view to provide for the classification oi prisoners, by having special gaols for long-sentenced prisoners. - The Government were aware of the existence of discontent on the Nelson Gold Fields, but not of any special causes therefor. Mr Curtis hardly shared his colleagues', opinion as to the sound nature of those causes/but the Government would fully consider and investigate the matter, with a view to devising some means of improving the administration of affairs, so as to fender it moie acceptable to the people. He did not believe that the creation of a. now Province would conduce to the good government of that part of the Colony. During the recess they would consider the question of amending the insolvency law. The. present Gold Mining Bill would be withdrawn. They would take up the Stamp Act Amendment Bill, and extend' it by reducing cheque stamps to one penny. They were not prepared at present to accept Mr Sheehan's proposed extension of Maori representation, but woukHiot object to give Native members to Waikato and Poverty Bay districts. They would not proceed' with the present Civil Service Amendment Bill. • John Martin, accused of a breach of privilege in having bought land on An-! Drews' run with the avowed intention of punishing. Andrews for a vote given last session, appeared at the bar of tha House and made a humble apology, and offered to withdraw his application for the land. The case was adjourned to enable him to do so. :