New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4543, 12 October 1875, Page 2

New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12.

The proceedings in the House of Representatives yesterday were more entertaining than instructive. The day was spent in discussions on the San Francisco mail contract. We cannot say, however, that we agree with either the Government proposals, or those of the Opposition. The Government originally submitted a motion to the House approving of the contract entered into by Mr. Russell; as representing the colony, but owing to an amendment moved by Mr. Stafford, and to speeches delivered during the debate, Ministers asked for an adjournment to consider their position. Meantime they resolved to modify their original proposal, and came down to the House yesterday with amendments. The Colonial Treasurer moved the omission of the words “ approved of and,” in the motion of the Commissioner of Customs, the effect of which was clearly a disapproval of the negotiation and provisional contract made by Mr. Russell under instructions from. Sir Julius Vogel. Of course the implied censure was weakened by an amendment which Major Atkinson moved, to the effect that the annual charge for the service should not exceed £40,000, and that the Government should enter upon negotiations to modify the contract to. this extent subject to future ratification by Parliament. It was argued by Ministers that if the House approved of the contract as well as ratified it, the Government could not ask the contractors to modify the contract. But it must be evident to everyone who listened to the debate, that the ultimate effect was to censure Sir Julius Vogel. The Government may not have intended it, but the fact remains nevertheless; and the only wonder is that they did not proceed to a division on Friday last, when the original resolution might have been carried by a large majority. ■■ Speaking generally, we think the contract was an excellent one. We do not for a moment palliate the conduct of the Government in withholding from the House the terms on which it had authorised Mr. Russell to negotiate the mail contract, but assuming this to be condoned, we are prepared to maintain that the contract is an exceedingly favorable one. And moreover, we do not think that anything like fairplay has been given to Mr. Russell in the matter, the debate turning very much more upon political questions than upon the business acumen displayed in these negotiations. On this point wo are at issue with Mr. Fitzhekbeet, and we regret that it is so, hut we retain our own opinion nevertheless. _ When is remembered that on no single occasion since the first ocean mail contract was negotiated for New Zealand, have the agents for the Government of the Colony adhered to their instructions, the action of the Premier in this instance may be readily understood. Ho desired to do the best for the Colony, and relied at the same time on the public spirit and generosity of the Assembly. These qualities never failed his predecessors, they never failed himself ; —why, then, should he doubt in making the best possible bargain for the colony, that the House would, as formerly, recognise the motive, and approve of what had been done 1 For our own part we can see nothing whatever in the entire action of the present Parliament to lead any one to think otherwise. But a general election is approaching, and a show of virtue and economy was necessary, Hence it happened that the contract

for the San Francisco mail service was ratified, but not approved. It is the

DOUIU WOW vw vu« WMsavaj f mu*\* w t ’ w * might just as well have followed ratification as not, but some people have very tender consciences, and Sir Julius Vogel and Mr. Thomas Russell must bear their chastisement with fortitude. Their reward is that they have done a good service to the country, and that their detractors know it. And the satisfaction of the country will be, that through their exertions an efficient ocean postal service has been established, which will make New Zealand known and appreciated amongst commercial nations long before the contract time expires.