PARLIAMENT.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 852, 22 August 1871, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

ADDRESS IN REPLY. Mr Pearce (Wellington) moved the reply to the Governor's speech. He warmly praised the native and colonising policy of the Government, believing that the country generally approved of them. He did not approve of the present mail service. The leading feature in the speech was the new Education Bill, which he hoped would produce a thorough system of inspection, and supply the educational want of districts not now supplied, and make attendance compulsory. Mr Richardson, Christchurch, seconded the motion. Mr Stafford thought the present position of the colony extremly critical. The Governor's speech was a modest but weak one. He had not found thatthe policy of the Government inspired universal confidence throughout the country. Mr Todd's murder did not indicate a marked improvement in native matters. Dr Featherston's appointment, and the death of Epuni (the aged chief of Wellington) should huve been mentioned. He altogether disapproved of the present Californian mail contract as too expensive, and driving local steamers out of the trade. He, Mr Stafford, thought Mr Vogel had sold debentures much lower than Mr Fitzherbert had done; although the circumstances were more favourable. The decrease of the revenue was owing to a falling off in the spending power of the people, which falling off had been growing since 1866. The settlement of population on the waste lands of the colony was the most important question of the day, and he would gladly aid the Government in passing any measures having such an object. Mr Fox acknowledged Mr Stafford's courteous and conciliatory tone. The House had not been called together earlier owing to the desire of the Government to know the result of Mr Vogel's mission to England. The native policy of the Government had been a success. Instead of Te Kooti having 600 Ureweras at his command, he now had not twenty men, and the whole Urewera tribe was located at a distance, and placed nnder the surveillance of friendly chiefs. Scarcely a day passed but some section of the Maori King' 3 party Jasked for work. The natives were learning the advantages of peace over the disasters of war. He regretted the inability of the Government to punish Mr Todd's murderers; but thought it was much wiser to bide our time. He hoped the day would come when they would be able to avenge the murder; but it was better to allow it to pass unavenged than to plunge the colony into war. He hoped Mr Vogel's return would enable the Government to seek the assistance of the other colonies in the matter of the Californian mail service, and to alter the coastal part of the service. Mr Gillies declared that the Government policy was nursing a fresh war, and supplying the natives with the means to procure arms and ammuni-

tion to be used when convenient. He generally condemned the whole policy of the Government.

Mr Q-isborne, in reply to Mr Gillies* speech, said that though Mr Gillies was disappointed in the policy of the Government, it was clear that his policy would involve the whole colony in a war.

Mr M'Lean (Waikouati) condemned Mr Vogel'B mission to England, and heurgedthe Government to strengthen its position by adding to its ranks some Middle Island members, in whom the colony would have confidence as being sufficiently strong-minded to hold Mr Vogel'a theoretical ideas in check.

Mr Bunny defended, and Mr Shepherd (Dunstan, Otago) attacked the policy of the Government. The address in reply was agreed to. Mr Macandrew gave notice of a series of resolutions in favour of forming the Middle Island into one Province with its own Council, and an elective Lieutenant-Governor. Mr John Williamson's election for Auckland City "West has been declared void, and a new writ has been issued. Mr Driver has resigned. A new writ has been issued. Mr O'Rorke has been elected Chairman of Committees.