THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Southland Times, Issue 1648, 15 October 1872, Page 2

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH ) ♦ THE MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. • "Wellington, Oct. 11. The new Ministry has just been sworn in. It consists of Mr Waterhouse, Premier ; Mr Yogel, Treasurer and Postmaster General ; Mr Hall, Colonial Secretary ; Mr M'Lean, Native Minister j Mr Ormond, Minister of Public Works ; Mr Bathgate, Commissioner of , Customs ; Mr Richardson, of Christchurch, no portfolio at present, but to be Minister of Public Works at the end of the session, when Mr Ormond will retire from the Ministry, as he objects to resign his Superintendency. Mr O'Rorke has been offered a seat, and will probably accept. V Oct. 12. In the Legislative Council last night, Mr "Waterhouse, in making his Ministerial Statement, announced the composition of the Ministry, as already published. As Premier, but without a portfolio, he would, according to the principle he had often enunciated, draw no salary. At the same time, he would not shrink from the duties of his position, but would devote himself as fully to the service of the country as his predecessors had done. During the recess, he would relieve his colleagues who lived at a distance as far as possible of the necessity for constant residence at Wellington. The Ministry had decided to make the number of Ministerial officers eight, but they had not yet decided what titles those eight portfolios should bear. They thought of adding a Minister of Mines and separating the Postmaster- General from the Treapurership, and making a Minister of Justice or Minister of Agriculture. Thevse were the only suggestions which the Government desired should be considered and discussed by the public, so os to guide them to a decision, as only three new portfolios could be made. The Cabinet would, if possible, be completed during the session, buc if not, within a few clays after, and before the members left Wellington. He regretted deeply that his private arrangements prevented Mr Reeves from joining, and also regretted that circumstances did not allow of the inclusion of the Hon. Mr Miller. There being no great question before the country, the Ministry would make it their chief object to administer affairs prudently and efficiently. They inteuded to proceed witn all public works which were authorised as speedily as the circumstances of the colony and the state of the labor market would admit. The latter would be the only thing which would prevent any authorised work from being pushed on. " The Government believed the question of the confiscated lands could be put on a satisfactory footing, and wou\ii endeavor to do so by dealing with each case on its merits, as no universal principle could be applied. He believed, with the assistance of the natives themselves, a satisfactory solution, to both races, of all difficulties, might be obtained. With regard to the native reserves, they intended to associate with the Commissioner a Native Board of Advice. He believed a strong feeling existed in the native mind in favor of establishing native committees, with power to deal with a variety of native matters throughout the colony, and would endeavor to reduce the idea to practice. His first act as Minister had been to sign a warrant calling Makeua Kohere (Morgan) of Waiapu, and Wiremu Tako Ngatata (VVi Tako) of Waikanae to the Legislative Council. He intended to institute a searching enquiry into the civil service. He had not accepted a position in the Ministry without great consideration and unwillingness, but having taken it he would not lightly resign it. So long as he could retain office with honor to himself and benefit to the colony be would do so. When these conditions ceased to apply he would retire. He valued his own self-respect above everything, and however much he might err in judgmeut he would never deliberately do anythiug he felt to be wrong. In the House of Representatives, Mr Yogel made a similar announcement of policy, adding that in the present circumstances of the colony he had not thought it necessary to have a Defence portfolio. He intended, if possible, to equalise the representation of each island in the Cabinet. The Government, like its predecessors, would maintain the unity of the colony, with the Seat of Government at Wellington, and intended to propose a vote of a sufficient sum to put the Government Buildings in a proper state of repair. They intended, after the session, to appoint two Natives to advise the Government on Native affairs. They would also endeavor, if the West Coast members agreed as to what should be done, to do something if possible this session for the better government of the West Coast. He hoped Mr Shephard's Bill would afford a satisfactory solution. The Civil Service Commission would consist of members of the legislature on both sides, and the names

would be stated on Tuesday. With regard to immigration, they would endeavor to arrange with the Provinces to take charge of immigrants after arrival. He hoped Mr O'Rorke would be shortly added to the Ministry. In reply to a question by Mr M'Lean, he said that the information from the Chathatns did not justify the apprehension of any great danger. The House in future will sit on Mondays, in order, if possible, to bring the session to a close in the early part of the week after next. Mr O'Conor's Miners' Franchise Extension Bill, which gives the holders of miner's rights the power of voting at the election of Superintendents, haa been read a second time. Oct. 14. To day Mr Stafford gave notice of a motion asking information whether, as the Ministry was founded by Mr Yogel, and Mr "Waterhouse was Premier, the Ministry would, according to constitutional usage, be dissolved if the Premier died or resigned. Sir David Monro gave notice of a motion to the effect that as the Governor appeared to doubt whether the House would grant supplies in case of a dissolution, the House assures him that it will always be ready to perform its constitutional functions. The Municipal Corporation "Water Works, the Tramways, and tho Quartz Crushing Machinery Inspection Bills have all been passed. The Lif© Assurance Companies Bill has lapsed, the House not agreeing to the Council's amendments. The County of Westland Act Amendment Bill and the Nelson Counties Bill have been discharged from the Order Paper. Mr O'Conor protested against the discharge of the latter, but was beaten by 29 to 10. The Licensing Bill was also discharged. The Imprisonment for Debt Abolition Bill has been read a second time. The Legislative Council has struck out the clause in the Maori Representation Bill which gives an additional Maori meinbei*. ______^__^_^_