WELLINGTON.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 202, 1 August 1862, Page 5

WELLINGTON.

[feom our own correspondent.] I Wellington, 23rd July, 18G2. I hope your reporter will transmit to you the speech delivered by Mr. Fox last evening. The Session having been fairly at work for a week, during which nothing but routine was performed, common consent pointed to the present one as likely to indicate the strength of parties, and contribute to a workable understanding—as to whether Ministers are to remain in power or go out. The Budget was to luve been brought in last night; but, as Ministers had been led plainly to understand that the House would not vote moneys until they knew all about the Native policy, it was postponed until tin's evening ; Mr. Fox giving notice in the meanwhile, that he would make a Ministerial statement relative to Native matters, on a motion for leave to introduce " a Bill, for Regulating the Disposal of Native Lands." Accordingly, at 7 o'clock last night (to which hour the House had adjourned), tho TTmicn wan fill/.,! Aw», n .) i 1.,, O 1.. '

common consent pointed to the present one as likely to indicate the strength of parties, and contribute to a workable understanding—as to whether Ministers are to remain in power or go out The Budget was to luve been brought in last night; but, as Ministers had been led plainly to understand that the House would not vote moneys until they knew all about the Native policy, it was postponed until tin's evening ; Mr. Fox giving notice in the meanwhile, that he would make a Ministerial statement relative to Native matters, on a motion for leave to introduce " a Bill, for Regulating the Disposal of Native Lands." Accordingly, at 7 o'clock last night (to which hour the House had adjourned), the House was fdled. Around the Speaker, every bit of space was occupied ; members sat close together to give visitors the more room, and the gallery was packer! to the ceiling, in anticipation of an animated debate. Mr. Fox spoke for nearly an hour and a half. His speech was well received, and met with only one or two interruptions from Messrs. Weld, Stafford, and J. C. Richmond (who sit together at a table opposite the Ministerial one), and was on two or three occasions loudlj applauded. He referred to the minute prepared for the information of the new Governor on hit arrival, aud appealed to the advice therein gives as being manly and straightforward—advice te which they still adhered. He pointed out that the plan of Native Government was Sir George Grey's, warmly supported by Ministers as in entire accordance with the Ministerial explanations of policy enunciated by him (Mr. Fox) last Session. He "explained, that out of the Llo.OOf voted last Session, they had expended only about £9000, and incurred liabilities for only abou

£3000 more (£12,000 per annum) ; and that thi whole cost of the plan was under L 50.000, of which one-half was found by the Governor, so that while last year they had voted -£20,000 for Native purposes, they would only now be voting •£25,000, saving actually £1000 a-year ko soon as the Civil List amount of £7000 for schools fell in again, which it did by expiration, in three years. He quoted from the Duke of Newcastle's ' despatches—on their way, before Sir George's plan reached London—showing that this very plan was that which suggested itselfto his Grace's mind, and from the various parliamentary papers to show that there was no help but to continue responsible government in Native affairs on their present clearly understood, though not accurately defined basis. * lie entered fully into the Taranaki question, showing that the late Governor had abandoned all idea of touching that dark spot for ut least two years—appealed to the advice they had given to Sir George Grey—affirmed that it was his Excellency's desiiv, and their own, to restorethat Province not only to its pristine state, but to one ten times better, if possible ; frankly confessed that while it was theirs to advise, It was the Governor's, as commander-in-chief, to determine when the right moment to put the troops in motion was—if that moment ever came—and that Ministers did not pretend to know what was in his Excellency's mind, and if they did they would not be prepared to make it public. He considered the progress of the new institutions as satisfactory a3 they had any reason to expect, and concluded by showing that the only alternative policy was one of war, which, as Governor Browne had informed the Duke of Newcastle, must end in the destruction of a!l the Northern Island settlers had been doing for the last twenty years, and in the extermination of the Native race. It was with surprise that the motion was not debated ; but I presume it will boon Friday, when the second reading comes on.

The same surprise was exhibited relative to the t address. The moving the reply was fixed for i Wednesday, the Kith, and " a lon^ :'•"<! animated i debate," as we correspondents say, was expvetcJ. \ Not that it was supposed there wuuld bo v divi- ' sion, but ii protest from the Opposition, in the ' shape of a smart speech or two. Everything depended on the mover and seconder. If they set the example of running a muck, there will not be wanting, of those who were oppose:! to them, | several who would follow the same course. If, on the contrary, they behaved with moderation, it was believed not improbable that little or no debate would ensue. Mr. Fitzherbert commence! | his speech with many hesitating words, but soon ! wanned a little with his subject-though through- ! out his hour's oration there was a very great tameness, perceptibly arising from the fear of exciting the combativeness of members. When he announced his intention of totally ignoring all reference to past disagreements on Native matters, letting the dead bury their dead, and pleaded for a fair trial of the present " experiment," it was evident to most thsit lie was master of his situation, and that no attack from the other silo would be provoked. The whole speech was "flat," though certainly not " unprofitable," as it answered the desire.] end. The whole speech is that of a man who, wanting to soar as on eagles' I wings, found himself compelled to walk softly. It j really'contained, as I supposed was intended it should contain, nothing in it. His Honor of Auckland seconded the motion, without a word of comment, Mr. Stafford put on his fiat,a signal that seemed to be well understood, and on the motion being put and answered by a chorus of <; ayes," the Housa adjourned. The Upper House had a very interesting succession of speeches on their reply to the Governor's address. It was animated and to the purpose ; but I refer to the report which you will be sure to receive, lam told, with this. lam sorry to sa}' that Dr. Menzies has introduced a Bill to alter the name of Southland's chief town, from Invereargill to Clinton—the town called afte the worthy Scotch founder of a Scotch settlement, and the descendant of a martyr to the Covenant, to be renamed after that of an English Lord not distinguished so much above his compeers, as to entitle him to any special memorial from Scotchmen above all others. I recollect one of the Otago papers suggesting that " Southland" should be called " Menzies—mania," a name quite as fit and far more appropriate for that Province than " Clinton" is for its capital town. Since I commenced this letter I have heard that Major Richardson is not satisfi ed with the Ministerial explanation last night, but intends to open a brisk fire to-night on the following motion :— " That this House should be informed, so far as may be consistent with any present or prospective Military arrangements, what measures are proposed to be adopted towards the Taranaki and , Ngatiruanui tribes, with reference to the murder ,of unarmed British European subjects, and also | with reference to the destruction of the homesteads and plunder of the property of the inliabi- ' . tantsofthe Province of Taranaki. j > " That this House should be informed, so far as may be consistent with any present or prospective Military arrangements, what measures - are proposed to be adopted towards enabling the owners of property in the Tataraimaka Block in J the Province of Taranaki, to return to their ' homes from which they are still debarred by the unsatisfactory nature of the relations existing between the Government and Her Majesty's Native subjects residing to the southward in that . Province." 1 A debate is to be really brought on. It is be a great field night. f I hear that Mr. Stafford will make one vigo- ■ rous effort to dislodge the Ministry during the r session. The preparatory field nights will, I pre- • aurae, commence with tliat of to-nij»ht. What c Mr. Stafford's chances are I cannot guess. Those of the Opposition I have met with arc very sanguine; those of the Ministerial side equally so. One reason for delay is, that in the event of change of Ministry, the Opposition have no AttorneyTCreaeral. Mr, GUlie§ won't, and there is

no one else; but, if Mr. Gillies coincides with Opposition views, he would no tlonbt accept office on a pinch, if only to resign again whsn some one ; e'3e could be found. Notlu'ng has jet been done about the Separation question. It is a subject of constant talk among members privately, and it will find its way into the House ere long. If the seat of Government was remove! to Wellington, it is generally thought that the Southern members would \ accept it as an instalment; while it is also said j that Mr. Stafford is willing to tempt Auckland ! support by making the retention of the seat of Government at Auckland a Ministerial point, if he can succeed in getting in. I am afraid the House will decide against Wellington. Auckland, Taranaki, md Nelson will be pretty well united on that point,— the two latter more especially, because it may afford a chance of Mr. Stafford's return to power, if everything else fails. Is Captain Baldwin a R.M.? If so, can he take his seat when elected? Last session, Mr. Harrisson, of Wanganui, had to resign because he was Slierifi; though receiving no pay. lie also had to resign his seat in the Provincial Council for the same reason. He was re-elected to both seats. However, if elected, jt will better to let the House decide the point when lie applies for admission. There has been a little fighting over the steam business. It is referred to a Select Committee. I close in haste. The next steamer will not leave till the sth August; but I will write by next little vessel to Canterbury, on the chance of its getting you early.