THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Southland Times, Issue 1634, 17 September 1872, Page 3

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

THE MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. Wet/lingtox, Sept. 13. In the House to-day, Mr Stafford said that Mr Curtis would be Commissioner of Stamps and Customs, and temporarily Postmaster- General and Telegraph Commissioner. Mr Sewell would be Colonial Secretary, and the sole tnpdium of communication with the Agent- General. The Government felt that Public Works would require the sole attention of oDe Minister, and therefore Immigration would be given into the hands of Mr Fitzherbert. Tbe Government were convinced that the whole success of the Public Works policy depended on the introduction and settlement of immigrants, and Mr Fiizherbert would devote his attention to these points. He would also examine into the j state of the surveys throughout the Colony, with the view of the institution of a reliable and uniform system throughout the Colony, which, while not ignoring the value of the information and work already accumulated, would secure future unity of action, especially with reference to trigonometrical surrey. Mr Fifzherbert would also superintend the Crown Lands Department. He stated that the Independent's assertion that Mr Moorhouse's resignation was owing to Mr I'itzherbert's appointment was absolutely without foundation. Mr Moorhouse carried his resignation about with him for several days, and sent it in within half an hour after the Ministry took offiYe. They did not accept it till two days had elapsed, and after three Ministers had seen Mr "Moorhouse to induce him to withdraw it.

The Independent's other statement, that Mr Fitzherbert expected a permanent office was also untrue. He disapproved of the practice, like Mr Gitborne's, <-f Ministers securing permanent offices, and would never countenance it. The Government intended to co-operate most fully with the Provinces regarding the introduction and location of immigrants. The Ministry was formed on the principle of maintaining the unity ol the Colony, with the seat of Government at Wellington. They would oppose direct or indirect attempts at separation, and would meet Mr Eeynolds's and Mr Macandrtw's motions by moving the previous question. At the same time thpy admitted the existence of a feeling in favor of insular separation, both in the North and South ; and, during the recess, Government would carefully consider whether such administrative machinery could be devised as would remove the causes for such a feeling. The Government intended, as soon as funds allowed, to proceed with the railways already authorised ; but it was evident that the funds at their command would not be sufficient to complete anything like the whole of the lines in the schedule to the Railways Act. The contracts already let absorbed nearly three-fourths of the amount available, and the rolling stock, Departmental charges, and interest, would leave only an inconsiderable balance. It would be necessary, therefore, to consider the means of obtaining funds for the completion, sooner or later, of other lines. Till this was done, no new contracts would be entered into. He pledged the Government not to give an amount in excess of the price authorised by Parli iicent. He did not, however, bind them to the prices authorised haphazard last session, but in each case he would ask Parliament to fix an amount, and the Government would rot exceed it. They would as quickly as possible expend the amount voted for works to the north of Auckland. Wherever they were unembarrassid by existing arrangements, they would let all works by tender. The Ministry would give effect to the opinions on Native matters expressed by him in bis speech in reply in the no-confidence debate. At the present period of the session, the Government %vould not take up any large new questions. He hoped the session would close in a month. In order to save time, the Government would accept their predecessors' Estimates generally, but would endeavor to reduce them as largely as possible when they came before the House. The Government would strenuously endeavor to bring the ordinary expenditure within the ordinary revenue of the Colony, and avoid increasing the floating debt. He admitted the growth , of public dissatisfaction with the increase ' ot the Civil Service, and intended to ask ' for the appointment of a Parliamentary Conr.mission to enquire into the matter during the recess, and recommend what steps should be taken by the House next '' session. The Government approved of the principle of their predecessors' Public Revenues Bill, but did not piedge themselves to all its details. They would next session introduce a new Gold Hieing Bill, [ a Native Lands Court Bill, and a Bill to ! supplement the existing machinery where ' it was defective regarding Education, so ; as to place the opportunity of receiving primary education within the reach of ail parts of the Colony. This measure would not interfere with the existing system where it vas satisfactory. The Govern- [ ment would circulate the Gold Mining ' and Native Lands Court Bills throughout 1 the country prior to the session, and the ! Education Bill also, if possible. They ] would also consider the question of gaol discipline, with a view to provide for the classification of prisoners by having special gaols for long-sentenced prisoners. The Government were aware of the ex- i istence of discontent on the Nelson gold- '> fields, but not of the special causes < thereof. Mr Curtis hardly shared the < opinion of his colleagues as to the sound ' nature of those causes, but the Govern- f ment would fully consider and investigate ' the matter with the view of devising some means of improving the administration of affairs, so as to render it more acceptable to the people. They did not j believe tLat the creation of a new Pro- ] vince would conduce to the good govern- i xnent of that part of the Colony. During the reefers thty would consider the quea- I tiou oi amending the Insolvency law. \, I

The present Gold Mining Bill would be withdrawn. They would take tip the Stamp Act Amendment Bill, and extend it by reducing cheque stamps to a penny. They were not prepared at present to accept Mr Shceban's proposed extension I of the M;iori representation, but would not object to give a Native member to the Wiiika'o and Poverty B.ty districts. They would not proceed with the present I Civil Service Amendment Bill. — Otsiuo D.dly Times.