DEFEAT OF THE STAFFORD MINISTRY BY A MAJORITY OF ONE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume I, Issue 3, 18 July 1861, Page 2

DEFEAT OF THE STAFFORD MINISTRY BY A MAJORITY OF ONE.

The following brief abstract of the recent debate in the House of Representatives, on Mr. Fox’s motion of want of confidence in the Stafford Ministry, will be read with interest, and it will be seen, also, that the one member present for the Province of Hawke’s Bay voted in the Ministerial minority. The debate was opened on Wednesday, the 3rd of July instant, by Mr. Fox, in a speech of two hours duration, in which he acknowledged it to be a party motion, and endeavored to expose the conduct of the Ministry and their shortcomings. An attempt was then made by Mr. J. C. Richmond to adjourn the debate, which was negatived on a division; after which the House was addressed by Messrs. Wilson and Eenall. The debate was resumed the next day, Thursday, by Mr. Fraser, who had the fullest confidence in the Ministry; and the House was addressed on the same side by Messrs. Domett, Dillon Bell, Jollie, Firth, Weld, Curtis, and J. C, Richmond; and in support of the motion by Messrs. Dick, Carleton, Wood, Carter, O’Rorke, Saunders, and Graham ; after which the House divided on the question of adjournment, which was carried by 24 against 23 votes. On Friday evening, the debate was rer opened by Mr. Mason, who thought the Imperial Government, and not the Ministry, should bear the blame of the present state of things, as, while it had kept the control of native affairs out of the hands of the Colonial Government, they had not applied the means they possessed to civilize the native race, namely, the introduction of a system of ncfl Tr,r.„KcV. CUUCcvtlVli iliiV* VA fliv language. Mr. Richmond followed on the same side, defending the Government from the charges brought against it by the opposition ; declared the unfavourable result of the Taranaki war to have arisen from mili-

tary incapability, and not from the insufficiency of tlie forces, which amounted, at the commencement of the war to 1100 men ; and expressed, on the part of himself and colleagues, the gratification they would feel on resigning the arduous duties of office. After a short reply from Mr, Fox, the motion was put to the House, and carried, the numbers being— For the motion 24 Against 23 Majority for the motion.,. 1 Tims, after a debate of three days’ duration, the resolution was carried by “a majority of one.” The division lists were as follows: — Ayes 24: Messrs. Fitzherhert, Saunders, Eyes, Wood, Carter, Monro, Mantel], E. Graham, G. Graham, O’Rorke, Kettle, Carleton, C. J. Taylor, Dick, Williamson, Henderson, McGlashan, Brandon, Rhodes Renall, White, Eeatherston ;W. Taylor, Fox (tellers). Noes 23 : Messrs. Bell, T. Russell, J. C. Wilson, Domett, Weld, Willis, A. J. Richmond, Hall, Ormond, Cookson, Rowley, Mason, Stafford, Eirth, Buttler, C. W. Ricnmond, Frazer, Jollie, Creyke, O’Neill, Nison; J. C. Richmond, Curtis (tellers). The Fox-Featherston party have not a great deal to boast of in this result, which is much less in their favour than was expected, and considerable doubt is expressed as to the stability of their Ministry. On the result of the division being announced, His Excellency’s Ministers felt it to be their duty to immediately place in His Excellency’s hands the resignation of the several offices held by them, and did so within an hour of the rising of the House. This was intimated to the House by Mr. Stafford on the next sitting day, Tuesday, July 9th, in proposing an adjournment of the House till Friday, the 12th. In seconding the motion of adjournment, Mr. Fox informed the House that, in the afternoon of Saturday, the 6th, he received an intimation from the Governor that Ministers had tendered their resignations ; that he had at once waited on His Excellency, and had undertaken the task of forming a new administration; but it being late in the day when the interview closed he had not been able to do much then. He had had consultations with other members on the Monday, and would be, able to complete arrangements with His Excellency for a Ministry before the day named in the motion (Friday).