GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 521, 24 June 1869, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

THE DEBATE ON THE NO CONFIDENCE MOTION.

BY ELECTRIC) TELEGRAPH.)

(FROil OT7R OWX CORRESPONDENT.) Wellington, Wednesday. The debate on Mr Fox's motion of want of confidence in the Ministry still continues, and is likely to continue for a week longer. It is now expected that there will be a majority against the Ministry. It is believed that, in the event of a defeat, the Ministry will resign, but will not dissolve the Parliament. Mr Ormond spoke last night, making a severe attack upon the Ministry. Colonel liaultain made an able reply. Mr Carleton moves an amendment to the motion this evening.

The following particulars of the debate on Mr Fox's motion of want of confidence are culled from telegrams supplementary to those we have received :

Mr Fox spoke for two hours. Except during the first quarter of an hour his speech was very weak, and caused great disappointment. The mismanagement of the war was his principal charge. lie criticised Colonel Wliitmore's campaigns at length ; ridiculed self-reliauce as carried out, and the Colony assuming au attitude of independence towards the Imperial Government. He said the Colony could have troops if we asked for them.

Mr Stafford replied in a speech lasting one hour and three quarters. Ho said Mr Fox's speech would cause disappointment and disgust ; that he had made the question a personal one, not political; and that in such a grave crisis personal questions should he laid aside. As to the troops, he had kept within the strict letter of the resolution of the Assembly ; but as the question might ho reconsidered, he had submitted categorical questions on the subject to the Imperial Government. He expected, however, that the answer would be "no "to all requests. Ho declared the policy of the South in refusing any more money suicidal. If persevered in it would lead to national bankruptcy, as the whole burden of the colouy would fall on the Middle Island. He spoke as a Middle Island member. The difficulty could be got rid of for ever, if the two islands worked together. The South had more interest in the matter than the North almost. This war being done, he would, however, be prepared with a scheme for the North repaying the expenditure to the South. As peace would be permanently restored, this would soon be the case, becauso the i North would then be prosperous and rich. After the compact of 1536, common justice required that the North should be assisted. If thex-e was not to be a common liability, then the laud fund compact would have to be revised. Unless he saw on the other side gentlemen fit to succeed him, he would not resign. Mr Curtis's speech was good. One telegram calls it splendid. He expressed himself in favor of retaining one regiment of British troops, and spoke in favor of the Government.

Mr Vogel followed in an eloquent speech—the best delivered during the course of the debate—answering Mr Curtis's attack on the Press. He asserted that the Stafford Ministry held office against the wishes of the country. He would oppose the present Ministry for their systematic misrepresentation to the Imperial Government, and for not calling the Assembly together to consider the question of the course to be adopted in reference to the Imperial troops ; because they had shown themselves unequal to the responsibilities assumed by them, had miserably mismanaged public affairs, and there was no hope of their doing better ; because they stood in the way of the Colony receiving assistance from the Home country, and availing itself of the services of Mr M'Lean ; and because, after a fair trial, they had been found miserably wanting.

Mr Hall spoke; but his address was weak and altogether ineffective. Mete Kingi gave a very long palaver about nothing in particular. Mr Collins spoke in favor of Mr Fox's motion, and attacked Colonel Haultain, asserting tbat he (Haultain) was unfit for office. He supported the charges made by Mr Vogel against Colonel Haultain, and also supported Mr M'Lean's conduct. He thought it the duty of England to assist the Colony in its present difficulties, and condemned the conduct of the Government in attempting to negotiate with Tawhia.

Mr Richmond spoke two hours and a quarter, defending the war measures of the Government. His speech almost resembled a valedictory address, and he urged the House to abandon party questions and adopt united actiou. ]t is rumoured that Messrs DiHon Bell and Rolleston intend to propose an amendment on Mr Fox's motion, to the effect that the House declines to express its opinion on the question, before it heard the policy of both sides.