THE NEW MINISTRY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 246, 17 October 1872, Page 5

THE NEW MINISTRY.

Wellington, Oct. 11. The new Ministry was sworn in at noon to-day, and consists of — Mr Waterhouse — Premier. Mr Vogel — Treasurer and PostmasterGeneral.

Mr Hall— Colonial Secretary.' v Mr M'Lean— Native Minister. Mr Ormond — Public Works. Mr Batbgate — Commissioner of Customs. }lt X Kicbardum— WitJmt portfolio,

Mr Richardson, will be Minister of Public Works at the end of the session, when Mr Ormond will rctice from .the Ministry, as he objects to resigu his Superintendency. Air O'ftorke has boen offered a seat in the Cabinet, and will probably nccepfc.

The new Ministry gives thorough satisfaction. Mr Reynolds and Mr O'Korke will likely join. At one o'clock this afternoon a full meeting of the supporters of the new Government was held. The names' of the Ministry were announced, an>i received with considerable enthusiasm. A unanimous vote of confidence was passed. Defections from the late Government are stated. In order to carry through the business, it was agreed to sit on Morniay.

Mr Bath^ate sent in his resignation to the Superintendent of his office of Provincial Solicitor.

Mr Waterhouse has just announced that his first act has been to call Mokiua Kohere (Morgan), of Waiapu. Auckland, and Wiremu Taka Ngatata (Wi Tako), of Waikanae, Wellington, to seats in the -Legislative Council.

In tho Legislative Council, Mr Waterbouse made a Ministerial Statement. He announced the composition of the Ministry, as already stated, tie himself would be Premier, bijfc would hold no portfolio ; aud therefore, according to a principle ho had often enunciated, he would draw no salary. At the same time, he would not sbrinkfrom the duties of the position, and would devote himself as fully to the service of the country as his predecessors had done. During the recess he would relieve those of 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 offices, eight. They had. not yet decided what titles these eight portfolios should bear, but the Government thought of adding a , Minister of Mines, separating the Poatmas ' ter-General from the Treasurer, aud making a Minister of Justice or a Minister of Agriculture. These were only suggestions which the Government desired should be considered and discussed by the public, so as to guide the Government to a decision. Only three new portfolios could be made. Tho Cabinet would if possible be completedduring the session, aud if not by that time, within a few days after, and before members left Wellington. He regretted deeply that his private arrangements prevented Mr Reeves from joining the Ministry. He 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 great object to administer the affairs of the Colony prudently and efficiently. They intended to proceed with all the public works which were authorised as speedily as the ciicumstaiicea of the Colony and the state of the labor market would admit. The state of the labor market would be the only thing which would prevent any authorised work being pushed on. The Government believed that the question of the Confiscated Lands could be put on a satisfactory footing, alid would endeavor to do so by dealiug specially with each case, as no universal principle could bs applied. They believed that with tho assistance of the Native chiefs a solution of the dilliculby satisfactory to both races would be attained. With regard te Native reserves, they intended to associate with them a Commissioner aud Native Board of Advice. They believed that there was a strong feeling in the .Native mind in favor of establishing Native Committees, with power to deal with a variety of Native matters throughout the country, and they would endeavor to reduce the idea to practice. His first act as Minister had been to si^n a warrant, calling Makena Kohere (Morgan), of Waiapu, and Wiremu Tako Ngatata (Wi Tako), of Waikanae, to the Legislative Council. The Government intended to institute a searching inquiry into tho Civil Service. He had not accepted a position in the Ministry without great consideration and unwillingness, but, having taken it, would not li^htl3' resign it. As long as he could retain office with honor to himself and benefit to the Colony ho 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 judgment he would never deliberately do anything he felt to be wrong.

In the House of Representatives, Mr Yogel made a similar annouucemeut of policy, adding that in the present circumstances of the Colony, it was not thought necessary to have a Dctence portfolio. The Government intended, if possible, to equalise the representation of each Island in the Cabinet. The Government, like their predecessors, would maintain the unity of the Colony, with the seat of Government at; Wellington, and they would propose a vote of a sufficient sum to put the Government Buildings into a proper state. They also intended after the session to appoint two natives to advise the Government of Native affairs. They would endeavor, if the West Coast members agreed as to what should be done to, if possible this session, do something for the bettor government of the West Coast. He hoped. Mr Shepherd's Bill would afford the solution of the problem. The (Jivil Service Commission would consist of members of the Legislature from both sides ; their names would be stated on Tuesday, With regard to immigratiou, the Government wauld endeavor to arrange with the Provinces to take charge of the itn migrants after their arrival. H e hoped that Mr o'Korke would be shortly added to the Ministry.

October 12.

Last night, on the motion that the House go into Committee of Supply, Mr Gillies at some length replied to Mr Vogel's criticism ou his Financial Statement when moving his no-confidence motion. Mr Yogel replied to Mr Gillies.

In Committee, nearly the w]fcj»le of the remaining Estimates were passed. The Government promised on the Supplementary Estimates to include a vote to recoup to Otago the expense it has been put to in leasing Fern Hill as a residence for the Governor when it was belirved the session would be held in Duuedin.

On the Militia and Volunteer Estimates, Mr M'Lean said he saw the way to effect large retrenchment. The vote passed on this understanding,