A CABINET SEANCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5414, 3 August 1878, Page 1 (Supplement)

A CABINET SEANCE.

(From the Duuetlm Evening Staj’.)

Our confidential agent iu Wellington, who, we rather suspect, is not over-particular as to the means ho uses to serve our ends, managed, it would appear, iu some way nob at present to be divulged, to plant a phonograph in tho fireplace of the Executive Council Chamber some time on Sunday night las? - , and had tho same removed and brought to his sanctum the next evening. On turning the handle, the instrument ground out very distinctly the whole.proceedings which took place at the Council held at noon that day, tho material points of which have been transmitted to us verbatim .*•*“ Clock strikes twelve. The Marquis (by the tone of his voice evidently not in a good temper) : “That clock’s slow. Where's Sir George ? I shan’t wait.” Mr. Ballance (deferentially) : “He’s coming up the drive now, your Excellency, with Paddy —I mean Mr. Sheehan.” Mr. Macaudrew: “ Delightful weather, your Lorddiip.” His Lorddiip : “ Hum ! Ha ! there he is 1” (Jltfrk of the Council: “AU present, your Excellency.” His Excellency : “ Drive ahead, then.” Sir George Grey : “It will save lima, perhaps, if I road the draft speech decided upon iu Cabinet, The Governor can, if he please*, make notes of any points he may object to, which can be discussed subsequently by memorials. His Excellency {soito voce) : “Heaven forefeud !” Sir George (reads):— Honorable Legislative Councillors and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,— The great constitutional principles upon which X 3 arliamentary Government is founded render it a necessity, to a modified extent agreeable, that you should be called together in order that your advice and assistance, especially the latter, may be available to rny advisors in the maintenance of office and the establishment of a libjral policy upon the basis of uncontrolled expenditure. For many reasons it did not appear convenient or expedient to convoke you at au earlier date, alth mgh the late Colonial Treasurer, fortunately shunted upon a Home mission, made some ridiculous promise of a very early meeting. The serious comp ieations which threatened a European war have happily been settled, a result on which tho colony may especially be congratulated. My advisers did not consider it necessary to make any provision for defence of the coasts and harbors, and I was, therefore, constrained to decline the service? o! Sir W. Jcrvois. Had war ensued, the southern merchants might pos-ibly have suffered, but it is hardly probable that the Russian Emperor would have sanctioned aggression towards a country oily nominally connected with the British Crown, and at present administered by an Executive cordially anxiou i to mould her institutions upon the Russo-Imperial model. It was further, aud with reason, supposed that any Russian admiral, if he had come, would incontinently have sheered off upon receipt of a volley of memoranda from the eminent diplomatist at the head of my Executive. Xu accordance with promises made during the last session, great administrative and departmental reforms continue to be in contemplation. Large reductions have been made in the Civil Service, especially among the clerks at small salaries. The number of highly-paid officials has, however, been increased, and I have much pleasure in stating that all ci-devant military officers aud connections, however remote, of the British aristocracy, have been provided for at the public expense, and under the immediate fostering care of my Colonial Secretary. I have to congratulate you c u tho very satisfactory relations with tho native race established during the recess. The personal exertions in this matter of the Premier aud the Native Minister have been crowned with the happiest results, which, although not immediately apparent, will undoubtedly secure the maintenance of peace and tho complete submission to her Majesty’s Government of all the great chiefs who find that rebellion is no longer remunerative. Tawhiao, the Maori King, has most benignly consented to receive a “pension—a tract of laud, and anything else he cau get, the consideration for which advantages my advisers regret that it is nob expedient to make public. His Majesty has promised to conform to European customs, except in the matter of polygamy; aud upon the solicitations of my AttorneyGeneral has adopted the principles of the Local Option Bill, having pledged his royal word never to indulge in rum any more unless -he feels especially inclined for it, and having expressed his determination to check with a firm hand any attempt on the part of the chiefs of his hapu to imbibe too freely liquors provided for himself. The great Ngatiraaniapoto tribe, represented by Rewi, have given a most cordial reception to the overtures made by my advisers. All that is required on tho part of the colony is to restore the Waitara and other confiscated blocks to the rebel hapus, and to pension off th? chiefs for life, llevviis then prepared to accept a seat in tho Legislative Council, and it ia believed that Tibokowaru, To Koobi, and VVetere may also be induced to do so. The little cannibal tendencies and. homicidal impulses of these noblemen of nature have, there is reason to think, been altogether toned down. A separate Bellamy’s will therefore not be necessary; nor is it probable that the life assurance agents will insist upon extra premiums upon tender babies resident at the seat of government. Impressed with the conviction of the necessity for a duplication'of the submarine cable, my advisers have been in communication with the Governments of the Australian colonies; and have, provisionally to the sanction of Parliament, agreed to the terms of a contract with the Eastern Extension Company ; papers upon the subject will be laid before you. I may state, however, that the Colonial Office most strenuously objects to any increased facilities of communication with New Zealand. Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, indeed, uses language iu a private despatch, relative to my respected Premier and his correspondence, which I regret is altogether unfit for publication. Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, — The Estimates for the colonial service have been prepared, but will not bo submitted to you iu a hurry, tho system of Supply Bills unhesitatingly passed by a sensible and subservient majority being much more in consonance with the views of my advisers than tho botheration consequent upon the submission of items in detail. You will, therefore, not be troubled in this matter ; but, if desirous in that way, will find all requisite information in the Appropriation Bijl, which will be duly submitted on the last day of tho session. The loan of 1877" has been successfully floated, owing, as I am advised, entirely to the financial ability and influence in the money market of the late Colonial Treasurer, Mr. Larnach. There is no doubt that the money —what is left of it—will bo easily and successfully expended, and that in.all districts of correct political opinions public works will bo prosecuted with the vigor consistent with the convenience of influential contractors. A proposal for the payment of members will at an early period bo submitted to you. I need scarcely commend this to your favorable consideration. Honorable Legislative Councillors and Gentlemen of the'House of Representatives, — Various important measures will bo laid before you, involving grave questions ofpolicy affecting tho liberties of tho ■ people and the future destinies of the human race. Amongst these will bo a Bill to amend tho electoral franchise, making provision for its extension upon tho principle of manhood suffrage ; a Ijill to amend Lho representation by throwing more power into the hands of the town populations; a Bill to impose an acreage tax upon land, excluding all areas under 500 acres, whether town, suburban, or country, and all lands held, used, or occupied for purely pastoral purposes ; a Bill to amend the Customs tariff by prohibitive duties upon articles which nobody requires, and free admission to whisky and other necessaries of life ; a Bill to amend the liquor laws by giving everybody, authority to stop everybody clsu's grog,; a Bill to alter Ihe duration of Parliaments ; a Bill to alter and amend tho Constitution Act, by making the Governor elective by tho House of Representatives; a Bill to constitute tho acceptance of titles from tho British Crown a misdemeanor of the first class';

a Bill to provide for the safe custody of political lunatics.

I commit to your grave consideration the business of tho session,, and tr Ist that your labors will conduce the prosperity and happiness of the people of Now Zealand, which happy results my advisers are good enough to inform me is tho object of their policy. His Excellency ; “ Do yon really expect me, gentlemen, to read that ?” Sir George Grey : “ As a matter of constitutional law and Parliamentary practice, I opine that” (Tho luncheon, bell faintly sounds in the distance). ■

His Excellency (interrupting and with considerable vivacity) ; “ Give me the manuscript, I will look over it ; at present hardly see my way—good morning.” Chorus (not joined in by the Premier) : “ Good morning, my lord !” Mr. Ballance: “ Ain’t he affable ?”