THE MINISTER POLICY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 242, 19 September 1872, Page 5

THE M INISTER POLICY.

Wellingt »n, Fept. 13. In the House to-day, Mr Stafford said that Mr Curtis would be Commissioner of Stamps and Customs, and temporarily PostmasterGeneral and Telegraph Commissioner. Mr Sewell would be Colonial Secretary, aod the Bo'e medium of communication with the Agent-General. The Government felt that Public Works would require the sole attention of one Minister, and therefore Immigration would be given into the hands of Mr Fitzherbert. The Government were convinced that the whole success of the Public Works policy depended on the introduction ard settlement of immigrants, and Mr Fitzherbert would devote his attention to these points. He wuuld also examine into the 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 wo»k already accumulated, would secure future unity of action, especially with reference to trigonometrical sur I vey. Mr Fitzherbert woul-1 also superintend the Crown Lands Department. He stated that the Independent's assertion that Mr Moorhouse's resignation was owing to , Mr Fitzherbert's appointment was absolutely without foundation. Mr Moorhouee carried his resignation about with him for several days, and sent it in -within half an hour after the Ministry took office. 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 .Ivdvpendmt's other statement, that Mr. Fitzherbert expected a permanent office, was also uptime. He disapproved of the practice, like Mr Gisborne's, of 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 of the Colony, with the seat of Government at Wellington. They would oppose direct or indirect attempts at separation, and would meet Mr Reynolds' and Mr Macandrew's motions by moving the previous question. At the same time they 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 Buch 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 ba 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 ef 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 Parliament. He did not, however, bind them to the prices authorised haphazard last session, but in each case he would ask Parliament to fix an amonnt, and the Government would not exceed it. They wou'd as quickly as possible expend the amount voted for works to the north of Auckland. Wherever they were unembarrassed by existing arrangements, they would let all works by tender. The Ministry would give effect to the opinions on Native m ittc^s expressed by him in his speech in reply in the no-conC-dence debate. At the present period of the session, the Government would not take up any large new quest-'ons. He hoped the session would close in a month. In order to save time, the Government would accept their predecessors' Estimates generally, bnt would endeavour to reduce them as largely as possible when they came before the House. The Government would strenuously endeavour to bring the ordina y expenditure within the ordinary revenue of the Colony, and avoid increasing the floating debt. He admitted the growth of public dissatisfaction with the increase of the Civil Service, and intended to ask for the appointment of a Parliamentary Commission to inquire 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, bnt did not pledge themselves to all its details. They would next session introduce a new Gold Mining 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_re*ch-of-ali.parts of the Colouy. This measure would not interfere with the existing system where' it was satisfactory. The Government would circulate the Gold Mining, and Native Lands Conrt Bills thronghout the country prior to the session, and the Education Bill also, if possible. They will also consider the question of gaol discipline with a view, to provide for the classification, of prisoners py having specific gaols for long-sentenced prifoners. The Government were , aware of the existence, of discontent ,on the Nelson goldfields, 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 Government'would fully consider and investigate the matter v ith 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 believe that the creation of a new Province would conduce to the good government of that part of the Colony. During the recess they would consider the question of amending the Insolvency law. The present Goldmining Bill would be withdrawn. They would take up the Stamp Act Amendment Bill, and extend it by reducing cheque stamps to a penny. They were not prepared at present to accept Mr Sheehan's proposed extension of the Maori representation, but would not object to give a native member to the Waikato and and Poverty Bay districts. They would not proceed with the present Civil Service Amendment Bill.