General Assembly of New Zealand.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 8, Issue 394, 16 July 1866, Page 3

General Assembly of New Zealand.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WEDNESDAY, 4th JULY. The Speaker took the Chair at 5 o’clock. DISTILLATION. Major Richardson asked the Honorable Gentleman at the head of the Government “ Whether it was the intention of Government to introduce a Bill this Session to continue ‘ The Distillation Prohibition Ordinance Amendment Act. 1865.’ ” The Act passed last Session was to be determined at the end of this Session, and many of the inhabitants.of the Southern Island were anxious to know the intentions of the Government. Mr Stafford replied that in order to carry out the Act a great deal of supervising machinery would be required. He objected himself to the power in the hands of the Executive of the day. The question was under consideration and the Government hoped to be able to bring in a more definate Act, if it should seem desirable to permit distillation. REPLY TO THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. Mr Campbell in moving the reply, said that he had undertaken the duty with considerable diffidence, as there were many members better able to do it than himself. The most important paragraph was that perhaps which referred to the cessation of the war. Thanks should also be rendered to General Chute, and to the British and Colonial Forces. He hoped that now a long era of peace would be entered on. However large the contribution to the Panama subsidy might be, he hoped every one would admit that it would be most beneficial to the colony. After noticing the prosperity of the GoldFields Districts, and the necessity for economy in the public service, the hon. member referred to the financial condition of the colony, censuring the manner in which the provinces had gone into the market for loans to the prejudice of the General Government. He was glad that proposals would be made for the revision of the Tariff, so as to increase the revenue, and believed that, if any additional taxation was necessary, it could not be imposed in a better form than in that of Stamp Duties. After a few more remarks the hon. member moved the following resolution:— That a respectful address be presented to his Excellency, to thank his Excellency for his Speech. To thank his Excellency for the assurance that he has taken the earliest opportunity of resorting to our advice and assistance after the dissolution of the late Parliament.

To express our participation in bis Excellency’s trust that the increase in the number of members of tbo House of Representatives, wliicb has taken place under the Act which came into operation on tlie occasion of the recent General Election, will give additional weight to the deliberations of the Legislature, and allbrd more ample means than has hitherto existed for the due representation in Parliament of all interests in the Colony. _To concur in his Excellency’s satisfaction that his Excellency is enabled to inform us of the all but complete cessation of disturbances in those portions of the Northern Island which had previously been disaffected.

To thank his Excellency for informing us that by the expedition of General Chute on the West Coast important results have been attained, Our prestige has been restored, and the Maoris have been convinced that the British soldier, when properly led, can follow them to their fastnesses, and is nowhere to be successfully resisted. Recent occurrences have, however, proved that this campaign, so nobly conceived, and so gallantly and vigorously conducted, —has not sufficed, owing to its abrupt termination to secure the tranquility of that district j nevertheless, a valuable service baa been rendered by the Major-Ge-neral to the Colony and to the Empire. To thank bis Excellency for informing us that the unbroken success which attended the operations on the East Coast, of Her Majesty’s Colonial Forces, largely aided by loyal natives, has resulted in the surrender or capture of most of the hostile natives; that hia Excellency’s Government has eagerly watched for, and has gladly accepted every indication on the part of any of these natives, of a desire to live peaceably with their fellow-subjects, and with the view of removing any cause of irritation, the larger portion of those who had been taken in arms have been restored to liberty; while at the same time the more prominent ringleaders have been temporarily removed to the Chatham Islands, and those who had been guilty of wanton and unprovoked murders, committed in cold blood, have been dealt with by the ordinary civil tribunals. lo concur in hia Excellency’s belief that by perseverance in a policy of kindness and consideration towards the well-disposed, and of firmness towards the turbulent, her Majesty’s native subjects will be assured of the advantages to he derived from habits of order, and a respect for law, while they will also recognise that acts of violence cannot be practised with impunity. To thank his Excellency for informing us that while he congratulating you on this improved condition of a large portion of the country, which had been a cause of much anxiety and embarrasment, it must not be overlooked that there yet remain districts with respect to which it will be necessary that you should provide, for a time, a sufficient force to repress outrage, and maintain Her Majesty’s authority. As Her Majesty’s Regular Forces have left, or are leaving the Colony as fast as the means of transport can be procured, it is imperative that no delay should take place in making this provision. /

To assure his Excellency that the commencement of the Mail Service, by way of Panama, cannot but be a subject of gratification and legitimate pride to the people of New Zealand, who in common with the inhabitants of the neighboring Colony of New South Wales, have long recognised the advantages which would result from this addition to their means of postal communication.

To thank his Excellency • for informing us that the extension of telegraphic communication within the Colony, by means of the electric cable shortly to be laid across Gook Strait, will also conduce to the progress of the country and the development of its resources. Measures will be taken as early as possible for continuing this means of communication throughout the Northern Island. To express our belief that the continued increase in the produce of the gold-fields has caused a corresponding increase in the population and revenue of the Colony, has largely added to its commerce and wealth, and has tended to maintain that progressive advancement for which New Zealand has been reniarkable. To thank his Excellency for informing us that we will find that a rigid economy has been exercised in the expenditure of the supplies voted for the public service last session ; that a careful regard for economy will also regulate the preparation of the Estimates to be submitted to us for the ensuing financial year; and that the public accounts of the Colony will be laid before us. To concur with his Excellency that the recent disposal of a large portion of the loan authorised to bo raised for the service of the Colony is evidence of an increasing confidence in the value of the colonial securities, which had been temporarily depressed by the operation of a variety of causes, amongst which may especially he instanced the manner in which some of the Provincial Loans have been dealt with, _ To assure his Excellency that we will consider how this injury to the credit alike of the Colony and of the Provincetfsmay be obviated for the future; and also, in connection with this subject, and a means of improving the financial condition of the country, the propriety of enabling the several existing debts of New Zealand to he consolidated on certain conditions. To assure his Excellency that proposals for a revision of the Tariff, which has long been de mahded, will receive our careful consideration, as also the question of providing an additional source of revenue by means of Stamp Duties. To thank his Excellency for informing us that to maintain and improve the credit of tho country will ho at all times an object of solicitude to his Excellency’s Government; and to assure his Excellency that in promoting this his Excellency may look with confidence to our zealous cooperation. To thank his Excellency for the information that in accordance with an intimation made last session, a Commission has-been appointed to inquire into the position of the Civil Service, with a view to establishing a definite system, which would promote the efficiency of the service, and conduce to economy in the public expenditure ; that the report of this Commission will shortly be laid before us; and that measures for improving the administration of justice, and on other subjects of importance, will be submitted for our approval.

To express our participation in his Excellency’s prayer that in these and all other matters which may claim our attention, Divine Providence may guide our labors, so that they may conduce to the happiness and prosperity of the people of New Zealand.

Mr J os. Newman in seconding the resolution after a few preliminary remarks said that he was pleased that the number of members had been increased, but would have been glad if the measure had gone farther. He was of opinion that the districts of Raglan, which he represented, and of Franklyn, required increased representation. He rejoiced that the disturbances in the Northern Island were coming to an end ; at the same time he believed that the natives throughout had been treated with great justice and forbearance, and that the charges which had been made to the contrary were false. It was a gratifying thing that the military were about to leave the colony, for it could not afford to pay for them ; he was moreover, of opinion that the colony could defend itself. (The hon. member them commented at some length on the despatches of Mr Carcwell). Gratitude was, however, due to the British soldiers for their services. Although the Colonial Forces had done their work well he did not wish to see a standing army in the colony, he thought that the colonists should depend on themselves and on their local militia. With regard to the natives, he hoped that better times were in store for them; much deliberation was no doubt required in determining on the way they should be treated and he hoped the right course would be taken with respect to them. With regard to finance he would be prepared to make sacrifices to maintain the credit of the colony. He rather objected to a Stamp Tax, and would have preferred a property tax. He shared to some extent in the feelings of pride in the establishment of the Panama Service, but he thought at the same time that it might have been deferred until the colony was better able to afford it. If additional revenue was required, he would be glad to have a duty on imported timber and wool. Mr Newman concluded by seconding the resolutions. Major Richardson said with regard to the expedition of General Chute to the West Coast that he would be glad to see the words

“ owing to its abrupt termination ” struck out, as they were liable to be misconstrued. Colonel Hatjxtain said that the Government had no objection. All the clauses of the resolution were agreed to, and referred to a Select Committee to prepare an Address in accordance therewith. The Committee brought up the report after a short adjournment, and it was read to the House. On the motion for the second reading, Mr J. C. Richmond, without objecting to the reply wished to know who gave the orders for the much talked of campaign of General Chute, However brilliant it might have been, it had left no result behind but the temporary alienation of the friendly chief, William King, of Umuroa. He would not sit down without expressing pleasure at hearing the hon, member for Raglan (Mr Newman) saying that he recognised the necessity of the colonist depending on themselves: —a sentiment which they had never before heard from Auckland. Mr D. Bell said that he regretted to see the omission of the name of a gentleman, for many years a Land Purchase Commissioner of the colony, to whose assistance on the East Coast the success there might be mainly attributed. Major Richardson would have made a similar remark and would have called attention also to the omission of any reference to the services of the friendly natives, but that be trusted that the Government would on another occasion being forward a resolution gith regard to them, as well as to the Imperial and Colonial forces, Mr Stafford explained that William King of Umuroa, had run away through a mistake, but that he had since been reassured, and was now living at his own house, uear one of the outposts. The orders for the West Coast campaign would be found in the appendix to the Parliamentary papers of last session. The omission of Mr M'Lean’s name was not through inadvertence, but the Government thought that the mention of individual names should be iu distinct resolutions. The address in reply was then agreed to. On the motion of Mr Campbell it was ordered that it should be presented to his Excellency next day, by the whole House, at such hour as might be convenient to his Excellency. On the motion of Mr Stafford it was agreed that his Excellency’s speech should be considered the next day. The House adjourned at ten minutes past eight o’clock.