Hawke's Bay Times. THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1868. NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume XIV, Issue 599, 30 July 1868, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Times.

THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1868. NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

Nullius addict us jurare in verla magistri.

We continue our abstract ox Parliamentary proceedings:— ADDRESS IN REPLY. Mr Stafford said it was not usual to commit the Governor in his speech to a definite expression of policy, hut merely to expressions of opinion on measures that were passed, and he thought the Government had gone almost too far iu relation to the two subjects that had originated so much criticism, He could not advise his Excellency to congratulate the Colony on its progress, and it did not seem necessary to mention that it was not at present in an actively progressive state. Neither was it right to refer particularly to native matters. There was no civil war. Isolated outrages had taken place, and he feared would continue to be committed. There was disaffection—perhaps hatred—in the minds of those natives who had forfeited their lands, and this feeling must be met. Even the bon. member for Newton would not purpose the surrendering of these lands.

Mr Graham : I would give a good deal of them back. Mr Stafford : Perhaps (he bon. member would indicate particular blocks. The Government would promite its attention. The Government had not taken oiFensive action against the natives. When murders have been

committed the Government has seen tit to punish offenders. The action of the Government at Patea is strictly defensive; but it was impossible to say how far other disaffected tribes may connect themselves with the natives there, and to what it may lead. It was a common objection to royal speeches that they were ungrammatical. Members had objected to the West land measure : he thought they should wait for the presence of the members for that district, only recently elected, and hear their opinion. He regretted the omission of all mention ol the Auckland gold-fields from the speech. They hud prevented emigration from that province, and had afforded a hope of increased prosperity. The subject had been prominently brought before the Home Government. An bon. member thought that if the course taken at Hokianga had been taken at Patea there would have been no necessity for further action. If it had been possible the Government would have taken that course. Would the Iron, gentleman go to Patea and

arrest the murderers ? Mr Graham : I will as-ist. Mr Stafford : The lion, gentleman did not disciimiaate between the various compositions of men, and would be an unsafe guide to (he House, and even to himself as an exponent of native opinions. Mi Graham regarded the native race as people of like passions with the Europeans. He denied that tbe Government nad acted on the defensive with regard to the natives.

Mr Stafford : It came well from the lion, member for the city of Wellington to say (hat taxation must be cut down. There had never been since \v euington was a province so ex'ravagont a set of estimates as had been

nrougnt down uy the GoveiHuient of which the bon. member was the head. Mr Collins wished to make it understood that in voting for the address

he did so out of courtesy to the Governor, and not as pledging himself to any course of action ; as, while agreeing with the address on some points, he was of the opposite opinion on others.

Mr Campbell would support any measure that would give more extea-

j-j j l _ a t\ i ueu aim uisuuci pOwciS to ItOad Boards; but there were some districts for which any general measure would! be unsatisfactory. Oamaru was one of these. It had contributed to the Provincial revenue of Otago more than any other district, and did not think it had been properly dealt with. He was glad to hear that there was to be no farmer taxation, and thought it wonderful that the revenue had maintained its high rate notwithstanding the depressed condition of the Colony. Unproductive works, such as that contemplated at Otago—the building of a house to be used as a residence fer the Governor during two or three weeks iu as many years, at a cost of £4,500 —meant no end of taxation; but he thought differently regarding repro-

, ductive W'orks, and that for such it might be desirable to increase the indebtedness of the Colony. He was disappointed that no mention was made of any intention on the part of the Government to centralise some of the departments, such as police, jails, &c. Mr J. Paterson saw two points that went far to cover the defects in the speech, and render it satisfactory to the country. These were a resolute reduction of expenditure, and no additional taxation. He was glad to hear that the Westland Bill was to be amended, and that further legislation m that direction was intended. This, he felt sure, would we acceptable to the country.

[ Mr Bunny had not much objection to either speech or reply, as like such , in general they merely touched on , such matters as were to be brought before the House, There being no reference to native matters seemed as a matter of congratulation, as for many sessions past the Government had felt it its duty to allude prominently to such. He still expected to hear of native outrages, even if the whole European population were converted into an Armed Constabulary, When such arose they must be put down by the strong arm of the law ; and if it was not strong enough for the work the Government must give it additional strength. He felt great gratification that the Westland Act had been brought into operation. He did not care an iota as to its imperfections; such were to be expected in any Act effecting so radical a change in the government of a portion of the country. It was the tbiu end of the wedge, and those who disliked it were such as wished to carry on the present Provincial system. He was glad that Oamaru sought separation from Otago. The district he represented also sought separation from Wellington, and he hoped the House would listen to both districts. He was glad the Government was about to reduce expenditure, and would like (o see it so reduced as merely to cover the cost of general government, and letting provinces tax themselves. He did not condemn the raising of money by loans ; the evil did not consist in borrowing, but in unwisely spending. He thought the turning point in the history of the Colony had come, and that it would soon be free from its difficulties.

nr- tuh _ litiA iiu tuicuuOu tu auutcSS the House in reply. He would merely uiOvu tiic icrmal IBOtlOn that a COui* mittee should be appointed to prepare the draft of the address to consist of members of the Government, the mover and seconder.

Tiie report of the committee was tiicfi biought (jfi 7 and the address was read and agreed to without any amendment. Mr Ball moved, and Mr Staff seconded, that the address in reply be presented to the Governor by the Speaker, attended by the whole House. A nroeu\ f a The House then adjourned.