MINISTERIAL STATEMENT.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 285, 21 August 1874, Page 4

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT.

Mr. Vogel obtained leave to make a

statement as to the course the Government ] imposes to adopt in regard to the question 'referred to in the debate on the State Forests Bill—namely, the question of abolishing all Provinces in the North Island. At an early period of the session, when the Financial Statement-was made, he would not disguise that it was the de - sire of the Government to assist the Provinces in the North Island to continue to discharge their functions, and proposed that fresh assistance should be given in some cases. The loan question was materially changed by "the debate on the Forests Bill. It then appeared that some of the- Provinces, notably Wellington, looked upon the Forests Bill as aimed at Provincial institutions generally, and Wellington in particular. One'speech was of' such a nature as to direct the attention of the Government to the whole question of Provincialism in the North- Island 'especially. As, a result, they arrived at figures which showed, to an extent he never dreamed of, or members generally.' sup- ' posed, the .enormous proportion of revenue and'means ■ expended on this island that was indirectly supplied by the machinery of the Colony" and-the Assembly. He could not say. what impression these figures conveyed to the mind of members. Since his speech 'Was made the evening before last, the Government had received assurance from all sides which would leave no doubt in the minds of Ministers that the majority of the members were anxious to see the Provinces abolished Some of the conditions referred to the seat of Go-' vernment, and that the compact of 1856! should be recognised by Act. He believed a large majority of the members

... were prepared to assent to such a proposition, and see it given effect to with as little delay as possible ; therefore it would! ' be 1 idle to deny that the Government 'had taken into consideration whether it would be opportune to bring down a proposal 'to that effect during'the 1 present session. After*vvhat he had said the other evening there ( could be no doubt as to his ,6wn opinion; but the question was whether action should b« taken this session, and the Government had come to the conclusion not to ask for effect to be given <to this' proposal during the present session.-j—----(Hear.; They did this because there had J been some sort ofunderstanding that the 7 isessioiv ;shpuld not be unnecessarily; pro- -• longed, and that, beyond subjects indicated in his Excellency's speech at the . opening of Parliament, no.important legis- -' latioil should: be proposed. Although . the ; Government could demand that consideration should be. given to all matters,of ,ur- • gency, it would be always well to .'.adhere

:>,to, isuch understandings. But;the -chief, , reason which weighed most with.the..;Go- > ;'vernment in. coming to their decision.'was' ,a that, although the majority of.the House ■ held the Opinions he described,,and;'al-' ii though he believed the -.opinionc-ofi-the. people -.throughout the North and Middle \ jslands!would make such a;scheme.,ex- ! ; ceedingly popular, yet there would be a •:., - general'i'eeling that it would be a danger- '; ous indulgence for large legislation to be hurried, and without due notice. Even : those most favorable might say, "After, • i;.a surprise of this kind ■ might we not, ' not have a surprise we could not welcome?"? 1 There would naturally be a feeling of in- ; .v rßecurity if, while Parliament was. sitting; • •■'large.organip measures should be passed ;,without ordinnry notice, so as to afford' constitutional means to the people to :ex:press their opinions by petitions, nits 1 ■ warmest supporters might dread a .surprise in legislation in the shape of .a coitp< d'etat. He did not wish to assert there was any right to prevent the House,expressing its opinion on the matter. Many members might think the necessity of the country would justify extreme action, -but the Government did not approve of such a'

;-course.. He thought such a measure, .would be more acceptable if it came; 'from ■:.I ;the i Country, while Parliament; wash riot > sitting.. He was not, however, prepared / ' to say- there would or would not be brought 1 ; down some resolutions on the subject,'but ••!-: the Government had not come to a ,de-. ;'cisiori;yet. , ,-.,;', !

, ~,parliament has been prorogued till- the' Bth of August. . .ii ' ;f - , Count Schouvaloff has been appointed •, Russian ambassador in London,, succeed- ■. ing Baron Brunnow •; <; , , < iSothern, the actor, has abandoned, his intention of visiting Australia .Jor,. the ■, ;present. . ', , m . 'v. '.'" ' ,-• ..'Most disastrous floods have'occurred: in i, Pennsylvania jjossofljfe appalling. l:i Pittß"l'.' .. J burg and Alleghanny inundated. ~, ~,7, . I",, The,local paper,informs; us that River—lL\oW is about to haye,,a considerable .'infljux ~ ,in its population during _the next,,,week:' • We are.inforrned that several hundred are Jo be shipped rpund here from, JDunedin .by steamer, to work, on our railways;' and , ->i,f t the'number.,;brpught be as large as* 'we , have been told.it is, we jhink.it .is, yery I < unwise pn the,part of the .Government > to | send so many, at, a time'to a place ~ where- , ..there is nbthrng in the shape..pf house accommodation i and the, only ~resource left , ,for them,is ,to pitch their, tents .and,, live . Minder- canvas in, the depth ,pt winter,"' ' whether* their "constitutions, will stand 'it -. r, or not. .It. is very, necessary we should .haye men-for. the railways, but to, bring .. therri( L down> in, such numbers will v have the ', effect; of completely stamping the district. A'.politician thinks of the next election ; a-'Btatesinan -,of .the next .generation. A , ~ politician looks.for,,the. success oi his party; a statesman lor,, that ofj.Jiis. country. A ,'Bfatesynan'wishes to steer; while.the poli--1 tic'an wishes r , • , '• < , In" reference, to the opposition made to the Furests JBilJ. the ' Tablet' states . The only remedy ,w it appears to us, is to annihilate .Provincialism, In these days of steamboats, mil ways,, and, electric tele-' grupli&r dot's it not appear akin to the ab- ■ surd to maintain ton Governments and ten little Parliaments lor the government oi 850,000 people?