The Hawke's Bay Times. NAPIER, MONDAY, 7th AUGUST, 1865.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 6, Issue 295, 7 August 1865, Page 2

The Hawke's Bay Times. NAPIER, MONDAY, 7th AUGUST, 1865.

A second edition of our journal, published on Thursday last, announced the opening of the General Assembly in Wellington on Wednesday the 26th ult. We now proceed to give the opening speech of His Excellency (to be found in another column), and also to note some of the more important features of the business since transacted. Our contracted limits will not admit of our copying the reports of the proceedings in full from the Wellington papers, neither it necessary to do so, as an abstract of it will be more intelligible and doubly more interesting to our readers than that would he. We shall endeavour, therefore, to note all that is of general colonial interest, and especially subjects concerning our own Province, while more private matters and uninteresting speeches will he passed over. Our conviction before expresssed that the session will be unusually protracted has received confirmation from the papers, and advices to hand on Saturday by the Raugatira; but we much doubt the stability of the Weld Ministry, which not only has the opposition of the Auckland, but, at least on some of the major points of their policy, that of three of the Otago members, as well as those of Napier and others of Nelson and Wellington. The debate on the reply to the address is usually a trial of strength between the opposing parlies in the House, and that which took place on Tuesday Ist August last was in this no exception to the rule. Both parties seem to have mustered strongly, and the debate that commenced on Tuesday morning, and was resumed at 7 in the evening, was not concluded until after midnight. The address was of course got up by the Ministry, and was as usual a mere echo of the speech itself. It was proposed by Mr R. Pharazyn iu a somewhat long speech. Ist, he considered the proposed meeting of natives at Wellington a matter of importance as affording an opportunity of discussing important questions, and removing misunderstandings, thereby removing all fear of their attacking the settlers. 2nd.. The intended withdrawal of the .troops is a source of gratification, as their presence was a means in the

hands of the Home Government for obstructing the policy of the Colonial Government. It was especially satisfactory that the Home Government consented to this step. 3rd. The West Coast, long a hotbed of disaffection, was now quiet, but peace could only be maintained by making the natives understand that the law was supreme. The great fault of native government consisted in the nonenforcement of the law against offenders. 4th. The papers laid on the table justified the Governor in making use of the Imperial forces so long as they remained in the colony, and the Ministry had the right to expect the co-operation of the General, who bad rather resisted their policy and rendered the troops almost useless, sth. They were bound to thank Brigadier-General Waddy and the other officers mentioned for their assistance, and the disposition they had shown. 6th. The removal of the troops was the fine put upon the self-government of the colony by the Imperial Government, and was, therefore, a necessity because self-government was so. The Home Government may be both unjust and ungenerous, for the war was hers, and she should have restored peace, but had not done so; and it could not be done under a system of double government. A final stand must be taken on this point. “ The colony must have the control of all matters affecting its own interests. No evil was to be feared from the withdrawal of the troops, for the natives cared but little for them saying ‘ they were bewitched,’” and so they were, though not by the Pai Marire. The policy of the Government was self-reliance the only, wise, just, and even possible policy. Seconded pro forma by Mr Gledhill. Mr J. O'Neil, in a masterly speech, replied, though he had not found much in the speech of the mover to reply to. He was surprised to find the Home Government officially spoken of as ungenerous, when she had sent her troops to stand between us and danger in our hour of need. He was sorry to hear the reflections on the troops, who had given that support to the colonial forces that made it easy for them to do what they had done—to rush and take a pa containing an old woman. Meetings of native chiefs had always resulted in nothing. One held in another place was an instance, of which the only thing remembered was an item of £2O paid fur “ milk punch ” for them ; and the proposed one in Wellington would be similar. It was folly to suppose that any good would result from it. Auckland was not alluded to in the address, though it deserved a passing paragraph. He contrasted the present with any past Cabinet. It was a Taranaki Cabinet; yet Taranaki had always had due mention in the opening speeches. Auckland, now in similar circumstances, was ignored. They were told of the insurrection suppressed, and peace established, which was contrary to the truth, and intended to mislead the British public. For though fighting had ceased in one part, hostilities were still going on in another. Such an impression would do a great wrong to the colony. In Wanganui, Taranaki, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, was there peace ? War was raging along the whole coast, and within a days, ride of our outposts man was feeding upon his fellow. A real peace and not a sham was what was wanted, and this involved the use of H.M.’s troops ; for, as soon as they had left, the natives would rise as one man, there would be a war of races, and it would end in the extermination of the natives. The speech indicated increased taxation. He believed that a light tariff would produce more revenue than a heavy one, and no indication of the use of the additional taxation was given. They were in debt, yet they were spending a large sum for a Panama mail service, and could have saved £20,000 per annum by permitting the Company to choose their port of call. Steam services should not be subsidised, but left to private enterprise. Mr Harrison did not object to the troops, but to their cost. They might remain, but we could not afford to pay the demand for them.

Mr Colenso did not entirely disapprove of the speech, but was greatly opposed to certain portions of it, or rather of the reply—they were told that peace had been partially established, and also that the difficulties which were but temporary were rapidly disappearing 111 On the East Coast, however, they were only now beginning. He had always repudiated the idea that Hawke’s Bay was liable to difficulties with the natives,' but felt convinced now of the contrary. He opposed the projected meeting of native chiefs, believing that no good, satisfaction, or benefit could ever arise from it, or from the introduction of natives into the House; they did not care for the boon, and would never thank any one for a gift that they did not desire to possess. Certain of them there who were would like to come and feast

at the expense of the Government, but it was not a general feeling, it would have an effect contrary to that expected, and would cause dissatisfaction and jealousy. It had been said they would see that it was our intention to treat them with justice, and then would not be inclined to attack us.—Had they yet to learn that ? Had the settlers ever manifested any disposition to treat them otherwise than justly ? They had been shown more than justice, for they had been treated like spoiled children. He did not believe that recent outrages in the colony had any relation to the non-investment of the Wereroa Pa, they would have occurred in any case, whether that pa had been taken or not; that district had not always been the hotbed of fanaticism, though since the murder of Mr Yolkner no doubt it had become so, yet the hau hau was but a thing of a few months, and there were other and worse fanaticisms than it. He had no faith in the attachment of the natives to the Crown—to a large number of the colonists there was no doubt such feeling existed, but not to so great a degree as formerly, and certainly not to the Crown. He could not join in giving thanks for a threatened increase of taxation; such increase might be necessary, if so he was sorry for it, and could not be thankful. After Mr Colenso concluded, the debate was adjourned on the motion of Mr Pharazyn, while a committee should formally consider and draw up the reply. At 7 p.m. Mr Pharazyn brought up the report, which was at once read a first and second time, during which latter reading amendments could be proposed; the reading proceeded as far aa the tenth clause, relating to increased taxation, when Mr Croshie Ward rose to propose an amendment. He did not know much of native affairs, many other southern members did not either, but they thought when the question was “ increased taxation,” it would be better to say they would consider the proposition than to return thanks. They would like to know how they stood with regard to the cost of native matters, and when it would end. They liked the pleasant prospects shown in the address, of the cessation of war, the establishment of law, the formation of roads and self-defending settlements, but they wished to learn the cost, and the source of the money. A policy to be approved by the House must be adapted to the requirements, and consistent with the finances, of the colony; and if the means of the colony were too limited for the execution of the policy, it must be limited to the state of the finances, ami it was too much to thank his Excellency for additional burthens. They were called upon to thank the officers engaged in the capture of the Wereroa Pa—too much seemed to be made of this affair—which he deemed after all to be a slice of good luck. It was necessary to secure the acquiescence of the representative of the Imperial Government in the removal of the troops, on account of possible consequences, as, if this were not done they would be free from responsibility, while if their officer agreed they would not entirely escape, but his Excellency said that he would send them* away. Could not agree with what he under stood to be the Government intention to guarantee the Provincial loans out of the General loan of the colony; believed it to be injurious in its effects on the provinces and the colony too ; objected to the stamp duties; other duties would give a better revenue, and ease the liabilities of the public; the tariff was as much as could be borne, and the stamp duties would be the last feather that breaks the camel’s hack. His Excellency spoke of not materially encroaching on the general revenue. He trusted thatit was not meant to deprive the provinces of their share, for the necessary departments conld not be carried on without money, all members were interested in this, and must come to the rescue to prevent the deprivation of the provinces of their necessary income, at the same time, as additional burthens were put upon the people. He approved of the Panama arrangement, 1 elieviug the cost to the colony would be as nothing, and moved his amendment thus:—“ We assure your Excellency that we shall be prepared to give our attention to your proposal for raising additional revenue by stamp duties.” Seconded by Mr Reynolds. The Eon. Mr Fitzherbert (Colonial Treasurer) repied, and gave some general explanations. Taxation it was intended should fall most heavily on districts benefitted by expenditure ou roads,. &c. In the absence of the General, his powers in connection with the Home Government were vested in the Governor, hence the paragraph objected to. He found the Provinces would have to lose part of their share of the general revenue, and the idea could not be more gently expressed than in the words “ not materially.”

Mr Brodiesaid as we were to lose the troops and provide for self-defence fresh resources must be found. Mr Stafford last Session bad indicated an income tax. This indication was not maintained; why was this ? s He had made a proposition two years ago—a tax on wool, that would hear on those who bad the state capital in their hands, and whose profits were enormous. This stamp duty was only the forerunner of other taxes, and though this might not press heavily on the poor, others would. He wished to know if property was to pay its share of the costs of its protection. He objected to the proposals regarding the natives, as he could not forget the lessons of history, which taught us before a people could be civilized, they must b conquered. They were as children, and their first lesson must be obedience. Colonel Haultaiu thought five regiments might be spared, but not all. The means proposed to supply their place were insufficient and the cost too great. Difficulties would drive the settlers away—there was no partial establishment of peace since last session, but fresh hostilities. Pai marire simply meant “ wait a little,” or until the troops were gone. Amendment carried. Mr Stafford complained that the ministers had given them no information in the address. It was mere child’s play. The Speaker said Mr Stafford was out of order, and must propose an amendment. Mr Stafford moved a grammatical alteration, that the word “ amongst” be substituted by “ notwithstanding.” (laughter.) The Hon. F. Weld complained that Mr Stafford had attacked Ihe Ministry, but bad not indicated any counter policy. He defended the Government. They bad promised to quiet the colony, and had done so already to some extent; native grievances must have a mouthpiece, or the work would be only half done. He had resolved on and promised complete responsibility, and had kept his promise so far. Mr E. Graham moved that “ notwithstanding” be introduced in the last clause. The Government was not consistent; in May last he had shown that the sending troops away would be unsafe, and now that we were further from peace he proposed doing so ; to send them away, and seat Maories in the Council, would convince them of our cowardice. Let native land owners register. Mr Buckland said our difficulties were owing to a Southern Ministry and regretted that line of policy detmuemal to the interests of the colony had been adopted. Mr J. Williamson spoke on the same side. The policy of the Ministry would plunge the colony in ruin, there was no partial peace, Pai Marirism was rampant, home parties had been deceived before for one month by the same cry and now would not trust the Government. New taxation should be left to a new parliament to be shortly elected. The management of the natives should be left to the North who would live amongst them so as to prevent war.

Major Richardson briefly replied, and the clause was passed as amended, and on the voices being taken it was found that the Ministry bad a majority and upon the Ministry calling for a division, the Auckland Brigade left the house in a body accompanied by Messrs. Reynolds, Paterson and Brodie, (Otago) Stafford (Nelson) Dr Featherston and Harrison, (Wellington) and our own two members Messrs Colenso and Ormond, leaving hardly half a house upon which no division was taken but the report was declared carried at a quarter-past twelve.