PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 1015, 22 October 1872, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

The new "Ministry consist of Water. house, Premier ; Vogel, Treasurer and Postmaster-General ; Hall Colonial Secretary; M'Lean, Native Minister; Ormoncl, Public Works ; Bathgate, Commissioner of Customs. Mr Richardson, of Christchnrch, is also a member of the Cabinet, but with no portfolio at present. lie is to be Minister of Public works at the end of the session, when Mr Ormond will retire from the Ministry, as he objects to resign the Superintendency. Mr O'Jlorke has also a seat iu the Cabinet. Mr Waterhouse in his ministerial statement announced himself as Premier, bnt with no portfolio. Therefore, according to the principle he had often enunciated, he would draw no salary. At the same time, he said he would not shrink from the duties of his position, and would devote himself as fully to the service of the country as his predecessor had done. During the recess he would relieve those of his colleagues who who lived at a distance, who would be as few as was possible, recognising 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 portfolies should bear, but the Government thought of adding a Minister of Mines, separating the PostmasterGeneral from the Treasurer, and making a Minister of Justice or 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. The Cabinet would, if possible, be completed during the session. If not then, within a few days after, and before the members left Wellington. He regretted deeply that private arrangements prevented Mr Eeeves joining the Ministry. He also regretted that circumstances did not allow of the inclusion of Mr Miller. There being no great question before the country, the Ministry would make it their great object to administer affairs prudently' end efficiently. They intended to proceed with all public works which had been authorised as speedily as the circumstances 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 tho confiscated lands could be put on a satisfactory footing, and would endeavor to do so by dealing with each case separately, as no urnversal principle could be applied. He believed that with the assistance of the natives, a solution of the difficulty,

satisfactory to both races, wouldjH attained. With regard to nJH reserves, it was intended to assoqH with the Commissioner and N.uU Board of Advice. Ho believed* thH was a strong feeling in the NatH mind in favor of establishing NatM committees with power to deal witfl variety of native matters through fl country, and the Government wo 9 endeavor th reduce that idea to n« tice. His first act, as Minister, hB been to sign a warrant, cailflH Makena Kohere (Morgan), of WaiaH and Wiremu Tako Ngatata (Wi Tikflj of Waikane, to the Legislative CoiH cil. The Government intended ■' initiate a searching inquiry into tfl Civil Service. He had not acceptedH position in the Ministry without gr J| consideration and having taken it, he would not ligh resign it. As long as he could reti effice with honor to himself and bene to the Colony he would do so. Wh these conditions ceased to apply, would then retire. He valued his 'o\ self-respect far above everything ai however much he might err in°'jud ment, he would never deliberately anything he felt to be wron». In the House, Mr Vogel made similar announcement of policy, ad ing that in the present circumstanc of the Colony the Government hi not thought it necessary to have Defence portfolio. It was intended, possible, to equalise the representati< of each Island in the Cabinet. Tl Government, like their predeceseoi would maintain the unity of tl Colony with the seat of Governmei in Wellington, and it was intended 1 propose a vote for a sufficient sum 1 put the Government buildings iu proper state. It was intended aft< the session, to appoint two Native to advise the Government on Nativ affairs. The Government would et deavor, if the West Coast membei agreed as to what should be done, t do something, if possible, this sessioi for the better government of the Wes Coast. He hoped Mr Shephard's Bii would afford a solution of that diffi culty. The Civil Service Commissioi would consist of members of th Legislative from both sides. Th names would be stated on Tuesday With regard to immigration, the Go vernment would endeavor to arranl with the Provinces to take a share of the immigrants after arrival. Nearly the whole of the estimate! were passed en the 12th, the Govern] ment promising that on the supplement tary estimates they would include aj vote to recoup Otago the expense thd Province had been put to is leasind Fern Hill as a residence for thl Governor, when it was believed the 1 session of the Assembly would be held in Dunedin. On the vote for Militia and Volunteers Mr M'Leau said he saw his way to effect large retrenchment. The vote was passed on this understanding.

On the 14th Mr Stafford gave notice of a motion asking for information ast to whether the Ministry, as founded by Messers Vogel and Waterbouse; would, according to Constitutional usage, be dissolved if the Premier died or resigned, . Sir D. Munro also gave notice of a motion that as the Governor appeared to doubt whether the House would grant supplies in case of dissolution, the House assures him that it will always be ready to perforin it? Constitutional functions. The Municipal Corporation, waterworks, Tramway?, and Quartz-Crush-ing Machinery Inspection Bill, the Commissioners Powers Act Ameudmeui Bill, Hooper and Norton Registration Bill, Imprisonment for Debt Abolition Bill, Dunedin Waterworks Loan Bill, Auckland Mineral Leases / men 'ment Bill, Resident Magistrate's Act Amendment Bill Southland Waste Lauds Amendment Bill, Deceased Wife's Sister Marriage Bill, Wanganui Hospital and nui Wharf and Bridge Bills have been passed. The Imprisonment for Debt Abolition Bill was read a second time. The Life Assurance Companies Bill lapsed, the House not agreeing to the Council's amendments. The County of Westland Act Amendment Bill, and the Nelson Counties Bill were discharged from the paper. Mr O'Conor protested against the discharge of the latter, but was beaten by 20 to 10. The Interest Bill, Dunedin Gras and Waterworks Bill, County of Westland Bill, Local Eevenue Allocation Bill, and the Insolvency and Juvenile Offenders' Bill, and the orders for resuming the debate. on Reynold's Insular Separation and Steward's Grand Juries Abolition resolutions have been all discharged. The Provincial Officers' Disqualification Bill was ordered to be read a second time that day six months. The Legislative Council struck out the clause in the Maori Representation Bill which gave an additional Maori member. The Public Petitions Committee of the House of Representatives reported on Warden Schaw's petition. After reviewing the whole circumstances, the report says the Committee cannot recommend his prayer to the favorable consideration of the House. The Government have undertaken to give effect, as far as possible, to Mr Bathgate's motion in favor of having rolling stock for railways made in the Colony, and workshops established at Auckland and Dunedin. On the 15th Mr Vogel stated that the Government intended to allocate £50,000 to Westland lard a similar

sini to the South-west Goldfields for ro ids, nut of the money to be raised for Middle Island railway purposes; the expenditure to extend over two

years. The debate on Sir D. Munro's motion lasted till an early hour on AVednesdpy morning. Mr Vogel concluded bis speech by saying tliat if the majority of the House really desired a dissolution the Government would be happy to convey an assurance of the fact to the Governor, and it would probably remove his i xcollency's main objection. Messrs Stafford, Fox, Wakefield, Fiizherbert, and Gillies spoke at great length on the question. The latter declared that all hope of the fusion of parties was useless, as one was the party of honesty and the other was not.

Messrs Shepherd (Otago), Hunter, F. Luckie, Wood, Rolleston, M'Gillivray, and Atkinson also spoke on the question. Mr Swanson reproached the leading members of the House for speaking by tbe hour on a personal question, when the previous night a multitude of Bills of immense importance to the country had been pitchforked through or out of the House without remark, and with barely a quorum present. Mir D. Munro asked leave to withdraw his motion, which Mr Vogel refused.

Munro, Stafford, and party then left t'e House, with the exception of Mr Atkinson, in order to record the division. Mr Reynolds acted as teller for the Ayes. The motion was lost by 21 to 2, Atkinson and Bejnolds; nine pairs. Swanson and Wood voted with the

majority. The Auckland University Bill has been n jected by the Legislative Council.

On "Wednesday evening, on the motion for going to Committee of Supply, Mr Rolleston moved that it was desirable the Government should give the House definite information as to the works intended to be proceeded with during the recess. Mr Vogel said he intended to proceed with all the works in the spirit in which the works were authorised. He preferred to commence and slowly carry on all, then push on a few and leaving others out altogether. Mr Gillies said the Government Beemed anxious to use the works as the means of influencing members' votes. After a debate the motion was negatived by 36 to 21. In supply, the confiscated Lands Bill and Estimates were passed, Mr M' Lean saying that they intended to appoint a mixed commission, and reorganise the whole of the departments. Mr Vogel announced that the Government, on consideration, had abandoned the idea of a Civil Service Com mission. Nearly all the night was spent over the Estimates. The vote of £5500 for Government buildings in Wellington was strongly objected to. Mr Macaudrew moved, to reduce it to £ISOO. After a discussion the original amount was passed. The item of £ISOO, for six months' subsidy for the Fiji steam service, was opposed by Messrs Calder, Gillies, and i thers ; and supported by Messrs Sheehan, Williamson, and others. Passed without division. The item, compensation to Smythies £IOOO, was carried on a division by 2-1 to 13, the Government undertaking not to pay it unless Smythies accepted it in full satisfaction. To one item in the supplementary Estimates —Westland Waste Lands Commissioner, additional £SO —Mr Harrison objected. Mr Vogel explained that the item Iwas put down at the recommendation of the County Chairman. Mr Harrisou moved that the item jtie struck out, saying that the ChairJman had no authority from the County ■Council for the recommendation. Ie item was postponed for further ry. reply to a question by Mr es, Mr Ormond stated that the rnment intended, after Messrs dens' claims under present gements were satisfied, to let ail a by public tender. r Stafford moved his resolution g whether, in the event of the i or resignation of the Premier, Ministry would, according to contional usage, be ipso facto dis;d He made a brief speech, ing precedents for the course he ested. He severely criticised Mr srhouse's appointment as Premier, ring that Mr Vogel was fairly led to the Premiership, and that mid have been more satisfactory seemly had he held that office. Mr Vogel already had answered question, he did not press the on. After a few remarks by srs Vogel, Fox, Lnckie, and Shep- , the matter dropped, ie Privilege Committee reported ae Harrison-Brogden ease—First, there was no evidence to show any derogatory proposal had been 9 by Mr Brogden or by his ority; second, that though the ence discovered suspicious of an Jalthy Btate of affairs, there was ling to prove that Captain Holt violated the privilege of the House ; i, that the Committee regretted Mr Harrison had made such 'ges, founded on a private conver-

"lis rend a second lime: Payment, 'Provinces Biil, ltailway Bill, Immi-

gratiou Bill, and Public Works Bill. Native Land Duties and Native Reserves Act Amendment Bills, and the Nelson Waste Lands Empowering Bill, were read a third time. Oct. 18. In reply to a question of Mr Staf ford, Mr Vogel said, that after the Appropriation Act was passed, and party conflicts over, Government would be willing to afford members who desired a dissolution an opportunity of recording their opinions. In reply to Mr Calder, Mr Vogel said, he was not able yet to state the names of the proposed two additional members of the Cabinet, but hoped to do so before the session ended. Public Trust Office Bill has finally passed both Houses ; Payment to Provinces Bill passed the House, the operation of Road Board grant being limited to present financial year. A new clause, abolishing the special account between the Provinces and the colony, was introduced at Mr Fitzherbert's suggestion. The Legislative Council rejected the Deceased Wife's Sister Marriage Bill, by 23 to 9.