THE GREAT DEBATE.

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 2889, 19 July 1879, Page 2

THE GREAT DEBATE.

When the House met at half-past seven the public <iud ladies' gallery were densely packed. After the bell rang the warning for Legislators to assemble, members liled in very slow from the library, and took their seats ■with that calm deliberatiou which betokens consciousness of a great political crisis.

When Mr Shanks rose to more the Address-iii-reply, there woro not more than forty members present, not h;ilf the House. Ho was received with cheers. Ho is a Scotchman by his accent, of middle height, and stout muscular frame. His age is apparently about 40. He has a busiucss-liko expression of face, with head already inclining to baldness. He speaks slowly and deliberately, with frequent reference to the address spread on the desk before him. He has evidently not yet acquired that ready fluency whicli comes of practico in public speaking. He leans slightly forward in speaking, with hands extended by his side, and resting on the benches and poses, addresses himself in a somewhat constrained attitude to the chair. Mr Shanks is n, good specimen of the foriner| clasß, and is one oi t the oldest settlers at Mataura,

It is worthy of notice that during this debate Sir W. Fox has removed to the seat on the extreme left of the frontcross benches, usually occupied by Major Atkinson, who now sits on hjs right with his Opposition leaders busy making extracts from 'Hansard," and he haß other material for oratorical thunder before him in the form memoranda, in the arrangement of which he is assisted by Major Atkinson. Mr Shanks' speech occupied only ten minutes by the Houhc clock. When the cheering had subsided Mr Keevcs rises to second it, aud with a loud earnest voice flourishes a copy of the address in reply in his right hand. He speaks a few words, aud the question is put by the Speaker, and the address in reply read.

Sir W. Fox's Attack.

SirW. Fox who has cleared his brow with a sweep of his hand, and moistened his lips with | his dail beverage, exchanges whispers with Major Atkinson, and rises amidst more cheering, which is actually joined by Mr Seymour George, the Opposition whip, aud Mr J. C. Brown, tho latter haviug taken a seat behind the Opposition, apparently meditating sotno wily Btratgey move of taking the enemy in the lear. Sir W. Fox begins at 7.40, speaking slowly at first, amidst many interruptions, notably where he disclaims any intention of discussing questions of policy, which invokes jeers from Ministerial supporters. He makes au impressive pause after announcing, " I lihvo nn amendment to move" and then proceeds in a tone of mixed sarcasm, weak humour, and querelcus spitcfulucsa to relate small parliamentary anecdotes. His speech, so far, is sadly lacking in anything approaching to a statesmanlike grasp o{ the political gravity of the occasion. It is the speech of a petty advocate, oiatorically perspiring for his 6's Sd. Jokes and interjectory points of order brushed aside, and Sir W. Fox resumes his attack in somewhat more serious tone. He says tho lloor of the House and the face of the country are strewn inches thick with unfulfilled promises. He categorically accuses the Government of many sins of omission. Speaking of the Laud Bill, he says : " When that was about to come before tho Government, it wa3 quietly slipped aside, jnst as a card is sometimes slipped from the pack, but tho Governor was too much versed in the wily way of weak men to be cuught [in such a trap as that. It was a fraud." (Whereat hon. members laugh loudly.) From sins of omissious we pass to those of commission. The Thames Valley railway to wit, which suggests the story of the miller who put tho cart before tho horse, which is sold in tho stylo of a circus pautaloou niiuua tho tout ensemble. At ouo stai^e his easy sarcastic touo is milled by a sotto voce remark from Mr Joyce, aud he claims the Speaker's protection. During all this time Grey sits immovable in his place with hat on, ]>ceriug furtively from under it at the speaker, whose allusions to the Happy Family Ministry excite loud laughter and cheers. Ho accuses the Government of sweeping away with a waro of tiie hand old and tried public servants, men of influence with both races, without any compensation, aud replacing them with mero boys, whoso characters havo not been above suspicion, which ho contends is demoralising tho civil service. He relates in solemn tones some " horriblo talcs" which had "harrowed his soul, and made his blood run cold," like the ancient mariner, about a civil servaut at Waiißanui who, after unheard of wrongs and injuries, " was still alive," at which happy denouement the House heaved a sigh of relief. Theu another story, the sorrows of a "sorrowing man," who had a wifo and twelve childroni but nevertheless was suspended and so pass on to "my friend Mr Luckie," who bo believed perfectly competent to fill a sinecure aud draw a handsome salary, notwithstanding tliathehadueverpreviously filled any official positiou, which is the crowning sin of official demoralisation. Then ho refers to tho quarrel between tho Premier and the late Treasurer, when the Premier called in a messenger, and orders him to " Eject tho Treasurer by tho scruff of his neck." It was early in the moruing, the Premier was fresh for his work and then he proceeds to pick the quarrel for ■which he had prepared. The Premier persistently says that the proposals of tho Treasurer, actually made him blush. If ho made him blush, that was the fust time lie had beon known to blush within fifty years. lie (Sir William Fox) would like to see the man or woman either who would make Sir George Grey blush. The Premier then bawled out, "Wo had better both resign ;" upon which the Hou Mr Ballauce .replied, " With all my heart;" and then Sir George Grey shouted at the top of his voice, " Leave the room." (Hero tho speaker absolutely shrieks out (he words.) Mr Joyce, tho irrepressible, attempts another diversion, and it is again sat upon. Sir W. Fox cites a sort of weak metaphor, when he dramatically exclaims that the revolver aud bowie knife will be necessary if Premiers are permitted to order their colleagues out. The speaker then passes on to thoNativo Volicy, and accuses the Premier of ambition to be known as " the great Maori tamer." He attacks the Kopuu correspondents as " penny-a-liners," an proceeds to severely criticise the native meeting. He alleges that Tawhiao stood up and said scornfully "I am King of New Zealand. I will have nothing to do with that man Grey, (pointing contemptuously) What is he to me."

Ihiring tliis part of the speech Sir George has left the Chamber, but returns shortly with a roll of M.S. iv hand. Sir W. Fox grows sentimental, and expresses regret that Mr Domett was not present at Kopua to describe the proceedings in Ranolf and Amohia, still he attempts to say, in Maori style, "A dog that drinks blood," said to have been used by To Wahanui iv rotereiicc to Sir George Grey, but breaks d6\vn at the second word, and puts it in English, Sir W. Fox then launches out into the following rather sultry specimen of oratory : " Tho Premier has told us that the Native Minister should be a maiv of moral character ; but, sir, we cannot pass through any part of the Maori country, without hearing stories of immorality that make us blush that the Government of the country is placed in such bauds—tho characters that have been employed both male and female as friends, companions, and associates, that were carried down to Dunediu iv the Government steamer, have brought the whole colony into contempt and disgrace. We have all read Miltou's great poem of "Comus,"in which he describes the enchanter making the woods resound with his infernal oryies. Sir, when I read these stories of what has been going ou in the native districts they remind me of that poem. Sir, we might track the progress of |

the Government through the" coiintry by the fcotid atmosphere and foul ddoufs they hatfe left behind. The country is ringing, -With' these scandalous stories, which are hiihiiliating to us as a race, and no wonder that great Maori chiefs hearing such things have stood aloof ftom the Europeans." The Press Agency sends us the following report of Sir W. fox's speech, and which fills in our own reporters outline : Sir Win. Fox rose, amidst cheers, to propose an amendment to the address, He intimated that he did not wish to detain the Mouse by remarks at any length, because he did not consider there was anything in the proposals of the Government calling for lengthy remarks. They had heard all tho measures discussed in the House before, and really nothing new had been brought forward at all. They had Electoral, and Bribery Bills before the Premier brought them down. The had all the measures which the present Government sought to place before the people as a means of their salvation and release from serfdom, of which they heard so much during tho famous stumping tout of the Premier round the colony. They had only the same funeral baked meats served up again ad nanaeum. The position of the colony was iv too critical a position to enter upon a consideration of measures for the amelioration of the human race, whilst they stood upon a precipice and had a serious native difficulty staring them iv the facc.J (Mr Joyce roge to a point of order. He wixhed to knoy if the address should be respectful or disrespectful. The Speaker stated that thocourse pursued was proper. The Hon. Mr Fox resumed : He could arraign the Government ou various charges of incapacity and other serious matters calculated to imperil the safety and good government of the colony. The House was strewn with brnkon promises of this administration. They had been incapable as administrators and had carried out none of the promises made when on the stumping tour, Was there ever such a breach of magnificent promises, as had been shown by the present Government. They had the same bill of fare to-day as last year, and would havj again if the Government were permitted to remain in power. They had made an utter failure on the Native Question and yith every other question of importance. Tlcre was nothing but error upon error. They had-seen a bill kept back on passage for the Governors assent just as an expert sharper would keep a cardin shufllinj. Such anact was a fraud, and but for thetxpertnessof His Excellency iv detecting tlis it would have been accomplished. What, had been done at the Thames S Theyrcceived consent to make a railway from Hamilton to the Thames river, which waanavigable all the way, but the Ministry ha( commenced at the wrong end. They had made the wrong end, and would have to make the other end afterwards, and all this without plans being authorised or aty appropriation made for the same ; and j?t iv the face of this the Premier takes <ff his coat and turns the first sod of a lhe never authorised, aud every step of wlich was unconstitutional. Then they hai an additional unconstitutional attenpt to pass a Loan Bill through the Htuse on the strength of an emergency wtich must have been known to the Ministry for mouths past, and the House should Inure been called together to consider. No, tk-y must hurry together on a short notic«aud be compelled to pass without time to consider a Bill of such importance to tbj colony and without any attempt to expldn the necessity for tho same. He couU not conceive that any constitutional Givcriinicnt would conduct business iv the wy they seem to do under the sham of a Government of the people's choice. It was a family Government, a happy family. They had seen the Bveeping off of old hands iv the service and mere boys put in their places, "he service was becoming a by-word iv the ciony. In Waugauui they had a very tfficiut Postmaster aud Telegraphist—a man >f the highest character and integrity, tm his post was wanted to reward a politicalissista"nt who was placed over his head, Jthough only an inexperienced youth. That Avas ouly a sample of many such iustaces. lie knew one who had been an able ervaut, against wbom a groundless chargehad been preferred, and an inquiry was hel over Mr Booth H.M., lasting a long tim, and ho was of course acquitted by the (ommission of any blame and then restoredto his position, but a greatly injured ma after 1/ years faithful services. Then tliy had the case of Mr Luckie, a gentlema quite competent to till a sinecure and dvw tho salary attached thereto. He was ppointed to an oilice with large salary aii nothing to do, over the heads of other ad more deserving oliicers of the public sevice, because he was

au editor, and had tllnuucc over a newspaper. If the setvie was demoralised, so were the Ministers temselves. They had heard of the cat andlog life in the happy family of Miuisten carrying out great Liberal principles of tovcrnnuut that was laughable, if not so seious, when oue Miuister sent for v mcsseiier and told him to take his colleague by be seruf of the neck and pitch him out. (laughtei.) The hou. member at the head of the Government scut for the Colonial Tgasura to his parlour as the spider did tin fly. It was early morning aud he was fnsh t> his work. (Mr Fox then narratei the incident in Cabiuet between the l'renier md Colonial Treasurer) aud said it rcuiudid him of Dr Watts' song about childrei o; oue family falling out and lighting, wlicl was a disgrace to any Government a tHs time. He thought Ministers ate a grea dial of humble pie at every sitting, aud neisengers had hard times of it in the Cuiim. He next referred to the ruisinaiiagojeit of native affairs. No Miuistry tookreius of power under such favourable circmstvuees as the present Government. lete was no symptom of dissatisfaction!! the miuds of the native race up to that the. The King party proper, after defeat i the Waikato had seitled quietly down nfl lived peaceably, and did not interfere. The tribes did not lift their little finger aginst Europeans, and the policy of tho Uovtnmcnt should have been to leave them inc. All who had dealings with natives kew that it was the worst thiug to appear atnous to procure their lands, and yet the Goruinent went to work quite differently withtt the slightest occasion for H. Thcybcgato make political capital out of the natiis at once, aud ihc Premier offered thenull manner ot things, so that he might f thought the great saviour of the race.-Tho Premier went to Hikurangi and m(e a holy show of himself, attended by hi'retinue, aud then they were told in tl House tiiat peace was assured, althoul it had never boon questioned by ethers. Then they had the March meeting, with » preliminary meetiug. at Orakei, and fese efforts of which thoy had hoard so itch to prociuo an invitation, which did nomine, and then MiuistcrscrawledouallfoursTheu they had the speech which followed,)! which Tawhi.io said ho would have noiug to do with that man Grey. lie couldpt uudcrstand how the hon. member cou^i have been so deceived by the King and ocr Maoris who had told him he liked blooiiud was like a rat-pit, from which there "as no escape. Tim Maoris knew their failgs and showed a preoioiico not credited the in their treatment of the Premier. Thosmcu who were entitled to tho Waimate laiß. came to him aud assured him they diciiot intend to light, but wanted their resets marked ofl"; that they might have laudso reside upon, urn! cultivate. The Goveihent did nothing, although told that wrall the Maoris wanted, aud they kue1, the result. Ministers made noattemrto keep faith with the Maoris at Parihal; The Native Minister was even [told he as a thief who had stolen To Whit's lnnd,nd he had to retreat. They had showiuprc ignorance in native affairs and mauaaient than any new comer. They had ciiid the settlers, as well as tho Govcrnmeuto be dragged thro\igh the mire, and disgoed in the eyes of Europe. They could uc travel in the native country without hcjng tales that would make them blush, as »want of moral courage, and the humiliate of Europeans who held such positions of tst aud responsibility. (Hear hear). Tin there was the panic on the West Coast, d request for arms which were not sen! but a reply to the effect that who:: they were wanted they could be forcomiug. He sent a telegram at the reqst of settlers on a Wednesday for arms al got a reply on the following Tuesdayegretting the delay which had occurred, d stating that no attention could be paid tiuch a request unless they came from the Commissioner, who has been sent for to miv his report in Wellington. If they wisli to preserve the dignity and integrity of ie Ministerial benches they should ask lli&ccellency to rid tho Ministerial benches!: those who now occupied them. (Ches.) 'And in older to secure this he had c pleasure to move the resolution placed ihis hauds to the effect that the Governi'iit does not possess the confidence of that.ouso. (Loud aud prolonged cheers.)