PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1312, 12 October 1872, Page 2

PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT.

A NEW MINISTRY SWORN IN.

MR WATERHOUSE'S MINISTERIAL . STATEMENT.

Wellington, Oct. 11. The new Ministry has just been sworn in, and is constituted as follows : — Mr Waterhouse, Premier. Mr Yogel, Treasurer and PostmasterGeneral. Mr Hall, Colonial Secretary. Mr M'Lean, Native Minister. Mr Ormond, Public Works Minister. Mr Bathgate, Commissioner of Customs. Mr Richardson (Christchurch) no portfolio at present, but to be Public Works Minister at the end of the session, when Mr Ormond will retire from the Ministry, as he objects to resign the Superintend dency of Hawke's Bay. Mr O'Rorke has been offered a seat, and will probably accept it. 8 p.m. In the Legislative Council, the Hon. Mr Waterhouse made a Ministerial Statement. He announced the composition of the Ministry, as already stated. He himself would be Premier, but with no portfolio, and, therefore, according to the principle which he had often enunciated, he would draw no Balary. At the same time he would not shrink from the duties of the position, and would devote himself as fully to the service of the country as his predecessors had done. During the recess he would relieve his colleagues who lived at a distance, as far as possible, of the necessity for constant residence in Wellington. The Ministry had decided to make the number of Ministerial offices eight. They had not yet decided what - titles these eight portfolios should bear, but the Government thought of adding a Minister of Mines, of separating the Postmaster-Generalship from the Treasurership, and of making a Minister of Justice or a Minister of Agriculture. These were the only suggestions, which the Government desired should be considered and discussed by the public, so as to guide the Government- to a decision. Only three new portfolios could be made. The Cabinet would, if possible, be completed during the sesion ; if not, within a few days after, and before members left Wellington. He regretted deeply that his private arrangements prevented Mr Reeve 3 from joining. He also regretted that circumstances did not allow of the inclusion of the Hon. Mr Miller. There being no great question before the country, the Ministry would make it their great object to administer affairs prudently and efficiently. They intended to prooeed with all public works which were authorised, as speedily as the circumstances of the Colony, and the state of the labor market would admit. The state of the labor market would be the only thing which would prevent any authorised work from being pushed on. The Government believed the question of confiscated lands could be put on a satisfactory footing, and would endeavor to do so by dealing with each case, as no universal principle could be appliei. He believed that with the assistance of the Natives a solution of the difficulty satisfactory to both races could be attained. Regarding the Native reserves, it was intended to assooiate with the Commissioner a Native Board of Advice. He believed there was a strong feeling in the Native mind in favor of establishing Native Committees with power to deal with a variety of Native matters throughout the country, and the Government would endeavor to advance the idea to practice. His first aot as Minister had been to sign a warrant calling Ma'cena Kohere (Morgan) of Waiapu, and Wiremu Tako Ngatata (Wi Tako) of Waikanae, to the Legislative Council. The Government intended to institute a... searching inquiry into the Civil Service. ' He had not accepted his position in the Ministry without great consideration and unwillingness ; but, having taken it, he would not lightly resign it. As long as he could retain office with honor to himself and j benefit to the Colony he would do so. When these conditions ceased to apply, he would retire. He valued his own selfrespect above everything, and, however much he might err in judgment, he would never deliberately do anything lie felt to be wrong.

In the House of Representatives Mr Yogel made a similar announcement of policy, adding that in the present circura - stances of the Colony it was not thought necessary to have a Defence portfolio;* It was intended, if possible, to equalise the representation of each Island in the Cabinet. The Government, like their predecessors, would maintain the unity of the Colony, with the seat of Government at Wellington, and would propose a vote 1 ; sufficient to put the Government buildings in a proper state. They intended, after the session, to appoint two Natives to advise the Government on Native affairs. They would also endeavor— -if the rest of the Coast members were agreed as to what should be done— and, if possible,' this session— to do something for the better government of the West Coast. He hoped that Mr Shephard's Bill would afford the solution. The Civil Service Commission would consist of members of \ the Legislature froni both sides, the names to be Btated on Tuesday. With regard to Immigration, the Government would endeavor to arrange with the Pro* vinces to take a share in settling immigrants

after arrival. He hoped Mr O'Rbrke would be shortly added to. the Ministry. In reply to a question, Mr M'Lean said the information from the Chatham Islands did not justify the expectation of any great danger. ' The House in future mil sit on Monday. Mr Yogel intimated the intention, if possible, of ending the session in the early part of the week after next. The Miners' Franchise Extension Bill, which gives to the holders of, miners' rights the power of voting at the election of Superintendent, has been read asecond time. , >