THE MINISTERIAL CRISIS.

West Coast Times, Issue 290, 28 August 1866, Page 3

THE MINISTERIAL CRISIS.

In the House of Representatives, on the 21st instant, Mr Moorhouse rose and said : Mr Speaker— the House is of course aware that last week a vote of this House resulted in the retirement from office,' so far as I understand the matter, of my honorable friend, the Secretary, and his colleagues. The following day I received a note fromhisExcellcncy the Governor, requesting my attendiince at the Government House. We had a conversation, which resulted in my retiring to consult with those gentlemen to whom I had the honor of communicating my wishes and views as to the future government of this colony. On the following day I paid another visit to his Excellency, and on Saturday a conversation occurred which I believe is public property now ; and I may say that I am very much indebted (o the public press for the correct report of a conversation in the passage which they gave ; more especially for the further particulars published. In accoi-Tnnce with the determination I had expi ssed on tho occasion of my moving the 1 solution, I advised his Excellency to sek . for Mr Stafford. I believe he did senl Mr Stafford, and there the matter ended. Now, sir, when' I moved that resolution I expressed a belief that if the Ministry went out of office on the vote, we should have the gratification of seeing rtiy honorable friend (Mr Stafford) at ihe head of the new Goverhme'nti Well, sir^ I thought — not taking advice on the Subject, rind being master of the situation — the best way to conduce to thjit was to give those distinguished gentlemen who formed the late Weld Ministry an opportunity to take paVt in the administration, and I gave them ample time for consideration. Forty-eight hours elapsed before his Excellency sent to Mr Stafford, and he is now in a position, or ought to be— Jit Ifeast, I hope he is in a position — to tell the House his prospects of forming a strong Government. I hope that we shall have no delay in the matter. I moved that resolution with the desire that there may be as little delay as possible, and that I hope we shall see our honorable friend at the head of a strong Government that will last for years to come ; because f am convinced that nothing so much concerns the colony at tl»e present, both here, and in regard to its relations with England, as that we shall have one Government at the head of affairs for several yeai'g, without a constant changing of Ministers. All sorts of rumors are abroad, but I may gay I .never went to see Mr Fitzherberr, and 1 never donsnlled 1 the members of the Weld administration, how* ever desirous 1 might be to see some of them in the next Ministry. I thought it better" to leave that matter alone. I thought it vfefy possible that some of these gentlemfcu would join, and I consider that it was & metier entirely personal, which prevented gentlemen bo vdltiable ffoni going into the Government of the colony, Ido not know whether these gentlemen have agreed to. do so; I do not know whether they desire to filiafe iii the administration, but I believe there ought to be no difficulty, because there can be but one policy b.efore. the country which can receive the support of this House [hear, hear]. On the motion of Mr Stafford, the House adjourned to the following day, when the Hon. Mr Stafford said : Sir, I rise to inform the House that, in pursuance of the statement I made to the House yesterday, I triist to be able to present to his Excellency a Ministry which with myself, will comprise the following gentlemen.:—Colonel Haiijtain, Mr Johnson 1 , Mr Fitzherberti Mr Hall, Major liichardson, and Mr J. C. Richmond. The particular offices of state to be held by the Ministers are not yet, determined ; but if the House will adj urn to. Friday, next, I trust to be able to make a fuller announcement.

The "Nelson Examiner" of Saturday last gives the following as the new Ministerial arrangements i-^ Mr Stafford . . , Premier; and Colonial •,'"."•'' ' Secretary. , • Mr Fit zherbort . . . Colonial Treasurer. , Mr J. Hall Commissioner of Cli3toras. Major Richardson Postmaster-Q-eneral. Mv <T. 0, Richmond Native Minister. Colonel Haul tain . . . Defence Minister. Mr Johnston without office.