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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4802, 12 August 1876, Page 2

Mb. Wakefield was paid a well-merited compliment by the Premier yesterday. The hon. member for Geraldine, in speaking of the Native question, rated the Native Minister for his conduct of his department and his assurance in pooh-poohing suggestions from the House, Sir George Grey, and Mr. Maoandrew, the Premier for ante-sessional correspondence, and the House for its disregard to Native affairs. In true Sir Oracle style, he pointed out that he had whenaboybeenin theNativedepartment,andseemedtohintthatas hehad taken so great an interest in Native affairs the House might do very much worse than make him Native Minister. The speech throughout was peculiar for its unbecoming language, and the House loudly applauded the Premier when he rose and said hon. members generally must feel deeply grateful for the lecture they had received. If (continued the Premier) the House wanted an example of sublime assurance it need not go so high as the Native Minister to iind it, it need not go further than the hon. member for Geraldine, whose opinions would be received with greater attention if uttered in a more modest and intellectual manner.