POLITICAL GOSSIP. (FROM A CORRESPONDENT) WELLINGION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 212, 13 August 1862, Page 5

POLITICAL GOSSIP. (FROM A CORRESPONDENT) WELLINGION

The hope of Wellington, so long deferred as almost U> induce despair, has at length been realised, and a" Gcneral Assembly is now sitting within its chambers The day was when the " Empire City," so designated in the fond ambition of its citizens, was the chosen residence of Vice-regal power, and it was confidently expected, when Constitutional Government was granted,'to these islands, that it would become the seat of Legislative and Administrative Government; but Auckland, with it3 traditional claims audits position, bid high for the honor, and owing to its numerical superiority in the House of Representatives, and other circumstances, successfully disputed the claim, and, as an offset to the disappointment, yielded what it could not refuse—an occasional session at Wellington, but Native difficulties, assumed or real, intervened to prevent the fulfilment of this promise until the present s^-sicn. You are aware that the meeting of the Assembly -was postponed from the 31st June to the 7th inst., but, owing to some defective arrangement, the intelligence did not reach the outlying .Southern Provinces until the members had embarked, and as they were disgorged from the steamer, the Weliingtonians could not but perceive that a shade of disaopointment clouded their brows, ominous of a future storm. There was no Governor, nor Ministry present, and the Speakers of the respective Houses, not learning that the Assembly had been adjourned, met in the chambers nppropriatel to each, and prayed that the deliberations of an empty House might be guided to right conclusions. Then came the astounding intelligence that the White Swan, with its Ministerial cargo, the members of the Upper House, and Auckland representatives, was stranded on the East Coast, and papers of some importance were consigned to the sea. There were some, deep in mystic lore, who prophesied that evil days were in store for the occupants of the Ministerial benches, and on learning also that the "Fox "was on the rocks near Otago, shook their heads and-muttered forebodings of approaching doom. A steamer was despatched to the rescue, and we shortly had the happJnessofembracingourJshipwrecked mariners, and then there arose an unusual tangi, and rubbing of noses on all sides; it was a scene worthy of praise, and pleasantly illustrated the old saying I that "blood is thicker than water." But still' I there was no Governor. The Harrier, one of those i vessels designed to chase Her Majesty's enemies off the face of the waters, could not face the storm which ] encircled the coast, and irom sheer necessity hove-to i until its violence was passed by. At length* the long wished for day arrived, and both Houses were summoned to attend the Bepresentative of the Crown in the legislative hall. I will not fatigue you with an account of the document then read, and of the controversies as to its paternity, but simply confine myfelftothe fact that the silence as to our Taranaki fellow subjects was the theme of almost universal regret, to use the mildest word. While the address indicated a deep feeling for the elevation of the i native race, which met with general approval, irrespective of the means by which it was to be obtained the intimation that the Crown was not "unmindful'' of the European population, was met withasilence that was oppressive, and a downcast, averted look, which was eloquent in the language of deep disappointment. I^t me now give you as far as I am able, and from what I can gather, a sketch of existing parties. There is the Ministerial party, composed ofincongruous materials—dissolvable at a moment's noticeseriously introduce the question of the re^ moval tof the seat of Government from Auckland to Wellington, a fermentation would at once commence, and the united band would be arravedin hostile camps. The only bond of union is, th'at the Ministry is an emblem of peace, and is supposed, posed tolet byegones be byegones. This ja, however distinctly denied by their published miSS Independently of party considerations, and altogether asme from the recollections of old controversies; there are members who would apparently side with Ministers if taey could do so ■without violating conscien-

&as convictions. The Premier is at aU times easv JW. worteons, considerate" knl d^iroiis of meefangthe reasonable vi.>wa of all around ilia.? On the fefe. d ' thT »%?» Party, antagonistic to Sl»- USu y ' ,but walch is thoroughly disorganized by the withdrawal from -° political Jfe^nn leas\, for -^' !>resent-of its- chief t&ni,^^ ■*•-•••■ **"» former Native S^%f^^ w& S lutf«^/aw»niinera- mentioned without praise, and inseparably associated withh^b. intelhgenc^-a noble n^ure/and a dignified? SSfT'k ei^ttcnce« conibined wiiuau industry and zeal which none caa gainsay, its leader—the late rremier—a man of very considerable political exDerienee, enlarged conceptions, vast memory, and a£, ™P^T e elo(i neQ^ d<** not, I know not.why,™ShMnfT^e^g^e°^ace Of tllose-*»&iated w♦* Ifc -M ? ld at he M muting in that which w r^ >Q wh^ the Lesion loved Ca££ love not to strive for the mastery. The Auckland member-fifteen iu number_b^i eTO , O raffectto believe that Nature erdained their Province to be th^ seat of Government; and the Wellington memb »r «1 ten in nnmber—compact as a phalanx, are thoroushiv imbued with, the assurance that it is chaoce.^ot Nature, that has acted hitherto ; and that Wellin«ton from its central situation, is evidently cut out" for the political capital of New Zealand; 'and these two will be m antagonism one to the other. Up to the present moment (and a month has nearly elapsed), there has scarcely been anything done. A Steam Navigation Bill, framed in accordance with the Victorian Act, passed through th* House at railroad speed, while two insignificant bills of a few clauses each on Crown grants and Crown lands have been fiercely debated, line by line, clipped, altered and beautified, until their aspect is so changed that the Attorney-General is 5 aid to have wept on seeing it, and exclaimed, " Monstntm horThe Upper House have baen very busy oa some law bills, whieh. may shortly be expected to descend to what is unparliamentary called the "lower regions;" while committees of both have been constant.y engaged on subjects connected with the Post> Adininistrawon of Justic 3 , Gold-fields, Panama Route, Electric Telegraph, &c. Up to the present time no reports have been presented/for the Ministrv on the question of responsibility on Native affairs suddenly became defunct, unwisety regarding the rejection of an undefined resolution, by the "previous question,' being carried by the.bpeaker's casing vo^-e as a want of confidence. ? ' Your Superintendent's motion on the Taraaaki question was carried without discussion- but lostihties commenced immediately the Ministerial Resposibllicy resolution wa3 before the Hous"^ I must leave you to draw your own conclusions from a >erusal of the speeches in the papers, which by the l7\ a P rl Tf?- v T> Fox party taunted tna u ol btafford, and with some appearance of reason, for receding from the stand they Lad themselves taken for this responsibility question originated witii them; but in reply, they anrue, that circumstances have changed, and they agree with the moderate party, in regarding Sir George Grev's letter to His Grace of Newcastle as indicating the price of the privilege to be accorded, and they shnnk from the acceptance on such terms. The force of tins argument is undisputed and indisnutable Sir George informs the Duke that lie recommends the change principally because of tha transference of the obligations; but it is considered only right that while the Natives are not subjected to BriSsh role it should bejejected. The Fox Ministrv did not recommend the acceptance on these terms," but submitted a proposition of so hazy a character as almost to indicate acceptance, notwithstanding a disclaimer of Labilities. However, the House apparently felt, that in the face of »ir George's letter, it was necessary that there should be no mistake—and the~f O r«L rather than simply reject the resolution and thS Ministry, the previous question was put and carried the course of the debate clearly indicating that S Ministry were in the minority on the Native ones! hon. and would be daring the session rvi^-+ Fo^^ e 1 r? fore- urSe<! b> r tl>-e ultra Wellington party, tendered his resignation, and suggested that Mr. SS 18 he sent for. Mr. Stafford Jnd an interview with his Excellency, and inform^ -.ini that as it had been industaously arculat^d thtJ he was the head ofa waV party, it was inexpedient .uat he should assume office and suggested that Mr, Fitzgerald, the first Premier in New Zealand when the Constitution walked should be invited to construct the Ministry. An interview followed^ and a day's consideration, which resulted in Mr. Domeut being invited to see what he could do; but, with every confidence in the leader and one or more of his party, or rather of his friend* it is apprehended that the hostility of the WelUnSn 2^7^i te-?^ nSoWleT°f ofJ> r art«"taon-but a few houra will indicate whether Mr. Domett succeeds, or whether Mr. Fox will be agam sent for to assume the reins and to drive with more caution; for the team is very skittish, and disposed to kick over the harness " Since writing the above, Mr. Domett has stated to the House that he has succeeded in forming a Ministry, at least of a temporary nature. People generally have confidence in the thorough honestv of the leader and hard-working qualities of one or more of thl permanent staff, and look forward with hope to the Ministry drawing around it some other influential members. We have heard nothing of their policy as yet. It is believed that at least they will eschew that insult to your island which was sketched out in the Adaress, and which consisted in bribing one of the leading members in each Province to take office, and thus blmdly imagining that your hopes of Separation would be snufied out. We. nevertheless, Sifferinfrom you as we do. and are bound to do on this Sepa" ration question, do not believe that you would caught by a bait so clumsily manufactured, or that the Ministry would not find it easy to find any who woulu acceDt their offers. *i.T£ e Fox P^ y aJreadj stand somewhat jubilant in the house, and m explanation of Mr. Domett's s a ement, the leader flapped his wings in defiance, and evinced that he was full of fight. They triumobantlv demand what is the policy of the new Ministry —are they for Ministerial responsibility or not i—what lorm of Land Bill do they intend to produce ? Thev almost say—"You have taken our cast-off garments, and wear them you must, or appear in that hazv atmosphere vou so much objected to in us." It is announced that one of your members intends to as* a question about the removal of the seat of Government; but of Separation we do not hear a word. Perhaps there may be some secret understanding among the members, arising from a sense of IS do°n eloiKaeSd^ 4" *"""** m The Janama route is favorably reported on—so the ~ initiated say -ana the Government will comedown with a subsidy of 25 or 130,000 for a connection with England, and Sydney paying L-50,000. Electric Telegraphs are also on the ascendant; and I should not be surprised to learn that, ere another twelve months are over, Southland and Pi<ton will be on speaking terms. • As regards steam communication wi'h Australia, a select committee got so bewildered with the conflicting claims of the different Provinces, as to be obliged to recommend three routes for adoption,—one central and two extremes,—viz,, one from Sydney to Wellington, one from Sydney to Auckland, and one trom v ictona to Otago or Canterbury. 11.30 p.m., 6th. The Assembly are hard at work on a phase of the Native question, as enunciated in the resolution placed before the House by the member for Eilesmere Mr. Fitzgerald. It was introduced by the mover in a speech of two hours' duration, which as a specimen of oratory would stand comparison with some of the choicest exhibitions in the British Senate, and even as a logical speech, it was a masterpiece. But with all the enthusiasm it enkindled, and the admiration it excited, the listener could not quench the rising si^h that the result aimed at was utterly impracticable* under existing circumstances. Had the House divided immediately after its delivery, and the resolution had attached to it, as a rider, an emphatic declaration that the infernal regions are peopled with Cherubim and Seraphim it would have teen carried by acclamation. Mr. Fitzgerald was followed by the I new Native Minister, Mr. Bell, in a great argumentative speech of considerable power, when, after a few earnest remarks from the Superintendent of Canterbury, the debate was adjourned at midnight, on the motion of the late Colonial Secretary. A desire was evinced by the Government to come to a decision at once, but the member for Dunedin (Major Richardson), while expressing his hearty concurrence in tLa spirit of the resolution, expressed his intention of - moving an amendm»;iiL embodying the principle, without the detail, shcvLl no other memberbedispesed to interpose to i ;vent the adoption as it stands.

As far as outsiders can see, the members are but a the beginning of the Sesson. Everything ha hitherto been connected with the Natives—but now comes a letter from his Grace the Dukejoi Newcastle, breathing brimstone and devastation. Truly, it is a critical tune, and the sympathies of the people may well bewiththeGovenunentandtheirrepresentatiTesari the hour requiring calm deliberation aud the firmest attitude. From what I can- see of the nature of the House, there is no swerving.from their allegiance— the members are true as steel. ;