GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 185, 24 August 1871, Page 6

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(From the "Daily Times" Telegrams.) Wellington, August 14.

The session of the General Assembly was opened to-day, by a Commission, consisting of the Hon. Majors Richardson and Richmond, and the Hon. Messrs Domett and Sewell. The Governor will deliver his speech at 2 o'clock to-morrow.

Sir David Mouro proposed Mr. Dillon Bell as Speaker. In doing so, Sir David said that he felt himself to be in a rather unusual position, us he was not a Government supporter, although he deprecated factious party strife. He proposed Mr. Bell as being an old personal friend of his own, and one who had twice proposed him as Speaker. He did so at Mr. Bell's request, at the same time believing him to be eminently qualified for the the office.

Mr. Brandon seconded Mr. Bell's nomination, and there was no opposition to it.

Mr. Bell made a long speech in acknowledgement of checomplimnnt paid him ; and then Mr. Fox congratulated him, reviewing his past career.

In the Legislative Council, the Speaker required all the members to be resworn. Mr. Waterhouse and others objected, saying that members when appointed are sworn for life. Eventually, however, all submitted, under protest, to be sworn.

August 15. The following is the .Governor's speech :—: — HONOURABLE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS, and Gentlemen otf the House of Representatives—

It is -with satisfaction, that I have summoned the Parliament of the Colony, and now invite your assistance and advice.

I am glad to learn that the Ballot, which has for the first time ia this

colony been used at the late general election of members of the House of Representatives, has been found to work well.

Since I last addressed you I have again visited the provinces of the Middle Island and its West Coast. I was greatly pleased to see material resources developed, and social institutions established to so great an extent. I also observed with much satisfaction the growing prosperity of the North Island, and particularyly the extraordinary yield of gold in the province of Auckland. Everywhere in both islands my visits elicited expressions of loyalty to the Queen and good wishes towards myself ; and I shall always remember with gratitude the courteous manner in which I have been received in all parts of New Zealand.

I congratulate yon on the progress which has been made during the year in establishing, under improved arrangements, a postal route to Great Britain by San Francisco. I hope that line will attract the co-operation of the Australian colonies, and the support of the United States.

Our relations with the natives con tin ue to improve.

A Bill will be laid before you to consolidate and amend the laws relating to the Native Lands Court.

You will concur with me in regretting the death of the celebrated Tamati Wakancni, who was alike distinguished for his loyalty to the Queen and his friendship with the Pakehas, and who, whether in peace or war, was ever ready with his aid in establishing the Queen's sovereignty and promoting colonisation.

The Land Transfer Act of last session has been brought into operation, and 1 am glad to state that, though so short a time has elapsed, the progress of the system, nml ics appreciation by owners of property, have been very marked.

The successful negotiation of a large part of the Loau authorised last year, and the continuance of international tranquillity, have enabled my Government" to initiate and carry on the colonising policy on the late Parliment. Their endeavour has been to that effect that policy in the spirit in which it was framed, and to apply the res'mrces placed at their disposal for that purpose with frugality, fairness, and a steadfast view to lasting results.

It is with great satisfaction that I observe the general wish of the native tribes in the interior of the North Island to promote the formation of great lines of road through their hinds, and the piactical proof they give of sincerity in that respect by themselves joining in the work.

■ A commencement has been made in the Public Works authorised in the Middle Island, and Tin migration will, in pursuance of instructions recently given, be secured to those Provinces which have availed themselves of the provisions of the Immigration and Public Works Act. You will, T feel suxe, concur with me that the introduction and settlement of suitable Immigrants are as necessary as the construction of large Public Works ; and that both are essential to the proper development of the resources and the lasting welfare of the Colony. Gentlemen op the lIoutJE oj? Representatives — The Estimates for the ensuing year will be laid before you. They wiil be framed with a strict regard to economy. I congratulate you on the very favourable terms on which a large part of the.loan authorised by the Acts of last session has been raised in London. The arrangements, also, which have been effected with the Lords of Her Majesty's Treasury, in reference to the guaranteed million loan, are of a character to enhance the credit of the colony, and facilitate its financial operations. . I regret to inform you that there has been a considerable falling off in the colonial revenue during the year, as there has ben in some of the Australian colonies. This, no doubt, is the consequence of the depressed value of the staple articles of production, and the stagnation caused by the great European war. The present j revival in value of those products, and the restoration of peace in Europe, with the rapid growth of local industries, and the progress of immigration and public works, justify the belief that this depression is exceptional, ?»nd the hope that it will prove transitory. It rests with you to adopt measures for equalising the revenue and the expenditure. Honourable Legislative Councillors, and Gentlemen of the House op Representatives — •

It is of the greatest importance that elementary instruction should be more widely diffused, and that popular education should be raised to a higher standard. A Bill will be laid before you to provide both these ends.

The reduction in the Telegraph charges has resulted in a great increase of business during the year.

A number of convicts lately arrived in Canterbury from the penal settlement of Western Australia. Steps were taken by the Government for their immediate removal.

Among other measures, you will be asked to give your consideration to Bills for improving the Law of Insolvency • for amending the Law relating to the Goldfields ; for governing powers on Committees disputed election (sic.) ; for the regulation of the coasting trade ; for the encouragement

of fisheries ; for conferring powers on Highway Boards ; for providing for the appointment of a Public Trustee ; for providing land for settlement and immigrants; and for the better regulation of charitable trusts.

I trust your deliberations may, under the guidance of Divine Providence, contribute to the unity, peace, and prosperity of the colony.

August 16th. The Committee on the Auckland City West Election reported that Mr Williamson's election is null and void, and a new writ was issued to-day. On a motion being made for the appointment of Waste Lands Committees, Mr Shepherd objected to the principle of a Joint Committee of the two Houses, and moved an amendment, which was curried, directing the House of Representatives Committee to report Independently of the Legislative Council Committee, and the same in the case of the Goldfields Committee.

Mr Macandrew introduced a Bill to make a cemetery a part of the Town Belt. Mr Stafford advocated the forbidding of all further burials in towns after a certain date. Mr Shepherd said that he would oppose the Bill.

Mr Gillies has given notice of motion for the production of all papers relating to the case Regina v. Barton, and Regina v. Lemon.

Aug. 17.

Mr. O'Rorke is elected Chairman of Committees.

Last night Mr. Pearce moved the Reply to the Governor's Address. He admitted himself to be a Government supporter, though not at one with the Government on the subject of the San Francisco service. He warmly eulogised their colonising and native policy. He announced that the leading principle of the Education Bill would be a thorough system of inspection. The Government would supply the wants of districts now unprovided with schools, and would make education compulsory, at the same time that they took advantage of the facilities already provided.

Mr. Richardson, Christchurch, seconded the Reply.

Mr. Stafford said he was unable to see affairs through the same rosy spectacles as the mover of the Reply. He had never before felt greater responsibility and anxiety at the commencement of the session. He did not believe f hat the Government p >licy had in^pirsd universal confidence throug lout the colony, fie remarked the o nission from the Speech of any reference to Dr. Featherston's appointment as A^ent-General, and the cledth of R. Puni. He was altoijet'ier disappointed with the terms of tie San Francisco mail contract. The colony could not afford the expense, and the foreign steamers were driving our own off the coast. He commented on the continual pursuit of Te Kooti, and the violation of Mr. Fox's promise that the employment of the friendly natives should be on the principle of "no cure, no pay." He did not think Mr. Todd's murder showed a very marked improvement in the state of our native relations. Mr. Voijel, under more favourable circumstances, sold the debentures for 30s per cent, less than Mr. Fitzherbert. This was no subject for congratulation. The falling off in the revenue was due to the decrease in the spending power of the population, which had been decreasing since 1866. We must either reduce our expenditure, or impose further taxation. He approved of the action of the Government regarding the convicts from Western Australia, but regretted that political offenders had been so treated. The settlement of population on the waste lands was most important ; it was the question of the day. He would gladly help the Government to pass any measure with such an object.

Mr. Fox acknowledged the cour- ■ teous and conciliatory tone of Mr. Stafford's speech. The House had not been called together earlier, aa the Government desired first to learn what Mr. Voxel's operations in England had been. The Government did not think it necessary to give historical prominence in the Governor's Speech to Dr. Featherstou's appointment ; and E. Puni was not, in the eyes of the natives, a chief of equal importance with Tamati Waka. He defended the native policy of the Government. When they took office Te Kooti had with him 600 Uriweras, but by constant harassing this force had been broken, and Te Kooti now had not 20 men with him. Nearly the whole Urivvera population was now located at a distance, under the care of the f riendlies, and none were now so bitter against, the King. Scarcely a week now passed without some section of the King party coming in and asking for work. They were learning the advantages of peace over war. The Government regretted their inability to punish the murderers of Mr. Todd, but it was wiser to bide our time, and hope that some day we should be able to avenge it, or even to allow it to pass unavenged altogether, than wilfully plunge the colony into war. The San Francisco mail contract was not greatly in excess of the authority given by the House, and he was hopeful that when Mr. Yogel returned, we should be in. a position to largely avail ourselves- of the assistance of the Australian colonies. The burdensome

part of the present service was the coastal service, and that was expressly done by the House.

Mr. T. B. Gillies disapproved generally of the Governor's Speech. He wanted to know under what authority money had been spent since the expiration of the financial year. He disapproved of the San Francisco service. A branch service to Fiji would answer all our requirements. He did not believe that our relations with the natives had improved during the year. The Government were now repeating the system which had brought on war. Their policy was nursing a war, by supplying the natives with the means to procure arms and ammunition till it was convenient to break out again. There was a medium between a fighting and a cowardly policy, and the Govern incut had not hit that mean. Decent foresight would have foreseen the tailing off in the revenue. He marked as an omission in the Speech that no reference was made to the dissatisfaction regarding the management of the Telegraph Department.

Mr Gisborne said that Mr Gillies's querulous speech was that of a disappointed man, and was in marked contrast to the statesmanlike utterances of Mr Stafford, who could approve of a great policy, even if he had no part at present in carrying it out. The increase in the Telegraph revenue showed the public confidence in the Department. Mr Gillies would plunge the colony into war in endeavouring to hit the mean he spoke of.

lYtr George M'Lean (Waikouaiti) complained of the delay that had taken place in calling the House together. Mr Yogel's absence was no reason. Why was he away 1 He (Mr M'Lean) knew the money-market well, and he declared that Mr Vogel's presence in London had nothing to do with the nogotiation of the loan. By mere chance Mr Yogel reached London at that time, and, in the need of his Government, forced it on the market. He (Mr M'Lean) thought it would be unwise to alter our native policy now, whether it were good or bad. The Government would be horrified by the scenes of scrambling for the money that would take place before the end of the session. He called upon the Government to strengthen their position by calling to the Legislative Council some Middle Island men. He objected to "having in the Government a blind theorist without strong minds to control him ; his present eolleagn.es wove not ablft to hold him. They should surround him with mon iv whom the country had confidence. Th« present Government was an individual one, each menber of it going about th » country as he liked. He approved of Dr Featheston's appointment, but said that he would have been far better without a forerunner. The Government should have asked for a Committee of Enquiry into the working of the Telegraph Department.

Mr Bunny defended the Speech generally. Mr T. L. Shepherd objected to it. The Address in Reply was agreed to. To-day, Mi*. Gillies's motion for the production of papers, &c, relating to the cases Regina v. Lemon and Kegina v. Barton, was agreed to without remark.

Mr. Collins moved for the names of the per .ons not in the Government service to whom the free use of the telegraph wires had been given.

Mr. Fox refused to assent to this, saying that the Government claimed the confidence of the country, to use the wires as they might think best for the good of the Government of the country, and that it was expedient that it should not be disclosed with whom they held confidential communications.

Messrs Stafford, Hall, Fitzherbert, and Creighton supported the motion, the latter moving an amendment excluding native matters from the return. This amendment was negatived by 30 to 25, and the original motion was rejected by 31 to 20, several members leaving the House.

Mr. Collins said the action of the G/overnment confirmed the rumour that the nse of the wires had been given to political supporters.

Mr. Macandrew has given notice of a long series of resolutions in favour of forming the Middle Island into one province, with an elective LieutenantGovern or.

The Governor's despatches contain the Attorney General's opinion on Mr. Muston's pardon. He admits its having been illegal.

August 19,

On Friday evening a long debate, took place over the form of proceedings in re the Motueka election case, Mr. Travers, as agent for Sir David Monro, objecting that the House had not complied with the statutory requirements. The objection was overruled, and an amendment by Mi 1 . Stafford, to take the opinion of the Attorney-General on the matter, was negatived.

Mr. Fox moved the second reading of the Election Petitions Bill. Its object is to compel witnesses before Committees to answer all questions, protection being given them against prosecution if they give evidence criminating themselves. One clause makes it applicable to all pending petitions.

Mr. Stafford moved that it.be .read that day six months, as it was evidently intended to refer to the Motueka case.

He openly accused the Government of showing an indecent haste to interfere with the judicial case now pending, and urged the assimilating of the law to that of England, by making the Judges try election petitions.

Mr. Fox and Mr. Gisborne denied that the Bill was specially prepared to apply to the Motueka election, saying that orders had been given for its preparation months ago, when five petitions were pending, of which four were against Government supporters.

Mr. Reeves said -that the object of the Bill was to further truth and justice, and he would have been only too glad to see it passed, had he been petitioned against. Mr. Reynolds supported the Bill.

Mr Steward and Mr. Thompson strongly condemned it, as its motive was apparent. Mr. Gillies repeated what Mr. Stafford had said, and referred to Mr. Fox's great animosity towards Sir David Monro, as shown by his interference in Sir David's case against the " Colonist." He said that the Government had not brought the Bill forward until all the petitions except that against Sir David Monro had been withdrawn.

Mr. Macandrew moved the adjournment of the debate till after the Motueka case had been disposed of. The Government were apparently willing that this should be done.

Sir David Munro is now speaking. He accuses Mr. Fox of strong paity and personal animus throughout the proceedings. [Owing to mishap, the above telegram did not reach us on Friday night, as it ought to have done in due course.]

Mr. David Monro s»aid lie did not now believe that the Bill had been levelled at his case, but Mr. Pox's whole couduct had justified that belief. Mr. Fox had used the whole machinery of the Government against his return, and it was owing to that influence that Mr. Parker polled so many votes, and that subsequent proceedings had been taken. He alluded to Mr. Fox's affidavit in the case against Mr. Luckie, of the " Colonist," whom he called a scurrilous editor. The affidavit containod many inaccuracies.

Mr. Gisborne said that the Government were willing to exercise the retrospective clause, or agree to the postponement of the debate.

Mi" Stafford withdrew his implication that the Bill was meant to apply specially to the Motueka case.

Mr Fox denied using the machinery of the Government in elections. No Government had ever interfered less with elections. He considered it perfectly legitimate for Ministers, as leaders of a pnrfcy, under party Government, to to interfere, and to use their influence to secure the return of their friends. It was not his policy to pass over his own friends, leaving them out in the cold, for the benefit of his opponents. Mad the Government likerl, they might have removed the Motneka Returning Officer, and replaced him by one who would givo his casting vote against Sir David Monro, who had no right to claim any consideration from the Governmemt.

Mr Gillies said thcit the Grovernment had interfered in the elections. He was a member of the Ministry at the time the clock case occurred, and his recollection and notes did not at all coincide with Mr Fox's affidavit. He challenged Mr Fox to lay a copy of that affidavit on the table. It was absurd for the Government to talk of Sir David Monro attempting to crush Mr Luokie, after their own action against Mr Barton.

Mr Collins asserted that the Luna and the telegraph were both used by the Government for election purposes.

Mr M'Lean denied their ever being used.

The debate was then adjourned for three weeks, and Mr Brandon was appointed Chairman of the Election Committee.

Mr Murray's motion to add the ' names of Messrs Bathgate, Carringfcon, " and M'Leod to the Waste Lands Committee, was lost on a division by 23 to 22.

Mr Gillies has introduced Bills to abolish imprisonment for debt, and to enable suits to be brought against the Crown. The Government expressed their concurrence with both princi~ pies.

In the Legislative Council Mr Waterhouse has introduced a Bill to legalise marriage with a deceased wife's sister.

A curious' case, and somewhat of the nature of an exposure, came before the Resident Magistrates's Court at Wellington a few days ago. A young man named Pyke sued. BirJ, one of the champion pedestrians, for £4, the prize won by the claimant at some foot-races a few days before, and which defendant" * vafusfeil to pay- Tke defence -was tnafc the race was a sham, Pyke being allowed to win by previo7is arrangement, and having no claim on the nominal stakes, as he paid no entrance money. Pyke denied this ; and the Bench gave judgment for the amount," and costs.

Great distress in Persia continues ; the people are eating bread made of grass.

Mr D. Tallerman, the Australian preserved meat merchant, was in Parisduring the last seige by the Versajl-. lists.

The Prince of Wales attended tbfr Ascot races in old regal style.