LORD GLASGOW'S DESPATCHES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 246, 23 October 1897, Page 3

LORD GLASGOW'S DESPATCHES.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS.

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, Friday

Copies of the despatches from Lord Glasgow to the Secretary of State were laid on the table this afternoon. On the eighth of July, 1890, Lord Glasgow informs the Secretary of State for the colonies that Mr Ward has waited on him arid tendered his resignation as Colonial Treasurer on account of strictures which had been placed on him in a judgment given by Mr Justice Williams with regard to his indebtedness to the late Colonial Bank and other matters in connection therewith, "and that under the circumstances he had no alternative but to accept his resignation." On September 20th Lord Glasgow writes, in reply to a circular of the 24th June, 1896, covering a copy of a communication from the Chamber of Shipping of the United Kingdom relative to the colonial laws affecting British shipping, and inviting Ministers to consider the expediency of preserving uniformity as far as possible in legislation affecting merchant shipping throughout the empire. Lord Glasgow says Ministers, though not unmindful of advantages, are of opinion that this consideration must in some places give place to measures which are deemed to be necessary for the safety of goods and passengers. Ministers were not of opinion that the manning scale leads to overmanning, and it is not applicable to vessels trading between the United Kingdom and New Zealand, but only to those trading on the coast and between New Zealand and the Australian colonies and the South Sea Island.

In forwarding for the Queen's pleasure a copy of the Asiatic Restrictions Act passed by the New Zealand Parliament, Lord Glasgow states that the number of Asiatics is not increasing in this colony, and the Government is not in possession of any information as to the likelihood of any influx of Japanese, Chinese, or other Asiatic labourers or artificers into the colony. On March 18th Chief Justice Premier-<>-ast informs the Governor that it is the wish of Ministers that the title of honourable should be retained by gentlemen who hereafter by resignation or absence vacate their seats in the Legislative Council after ten years continuous service.

On March 27th Chief Justice Prendergast informs the Governor that the Acts in force in the colony relating to employers' liability are on the whole working satisfactorily. Under date of the 23rd September, 1897, the Premier writes to Lord Kanfurly drawing attention to a "serious omission on the part of the late Governor" in one of the despatches sent Home. '' Lord Glasgow," Mr Secldon writes," enclosed a copy of a memorandum which he addressed to the Premier on the subject of the appointments to the Legislative Council, but he has neglected to forward at the same time the reply addressed to him by the Premier on the sth February, and the Premier is of opinion that, although His Excellency was not asked to do so it should have also been forwarded to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, as the correspondence is incomplete without it." The Premier then suggests that in future he should be allowed to peruse drafts of all despatches addressed by the Governor to the Secretary of State before they are posted, and so prevent a recurrence of what he has now to complain of. This communication is acknowledged by Lord Kanfurly, who says "He will bear in mind the Premier's suggestion that in future he should peruse the drafts of all despatches by the Governor to the Secretary of State. Should the Governor be in any doubt as to the Premier's views being set forth, or should he think such a course desirable in the public interests, he will communicate with the Premier on the subject of such despatches." The Premier attaches a minute, " this will be sufficient." On October 15th, 1897, the Premier in a memorandum to the Governor acknowledges receipt of a memo. No. 96, and is satisfied to know that effect, as far as possible, will be given to the suggestions therein. The despatches to which the Premier, with great reluctance, refers are those relating to the resignation of the late Governor, his application for two months' leave of absence, and a reply from the Secretary of State that the leave of absence Avould be granted if there was no objection on the part of Ministers, and as to the payment of half salary, if allowed by law. Had these despatches been placed before Ministers shortly after being received, a difficulty which eventuated would have been avoided", but unfortunately the correspondence in question was not placed before them until some five months had elapsed from the receipt thereof. Again, as showing the advisability of the advisers of His Excel-

lency the Governor being consulted prior to despatches being sent, especially whe their news would be of service, the Premier directs attention to despatch No. 27 of July Bth, 1896, in which reference is made to a matter unnecessarily imported. The Premier, it is stated, further wishes your Excellency to clearly understand that since your arrival everything in relation to despatches has been most satisfactory to your advisers.—(Signed) Seddon.

Under date January 23rd the Premier informed the Governor that the Government deemed it necessary to maintain efficiency of the Legislative Council by appointing three new councillors. The Governor will doubtless recollect, he stated, " that prior to his departure for the Sounds the Premier had an interview and intimated verbally the zieccssity there was for increasing the councillors, stating that on his return to Wellington he would submit a memorandum on the subject. Since the date on which advice was tendered for the appointment of the last four members of the Council four vacancies have occurred, Mantell, Pharazyn. Pollen, and Buckley, respectively,! but, in addition, it must be borne in mind that are several councillors who, owing to advanced age and infirmities, are unable to attend to their duties. One in particular was only able to be present at one meeting last session. His infirmities are of such a nature that it is very improbable he will ever again resume duties. There is another member who is in the same state, and who was only able to attend very few meetings last session. Several others suffer from ill-health and are unable to be present, thus weakening the chamber, both in respect of speaking and voting power. Three other members are absent visitingtheMother Country. Another member is only able to attend for a couple of weeks. From the outlook there is every likelihood of the same thing .occurring in the coining session. The attendance of these councillors was intermittent, insufficient, and, with the increasing age of the members of the Council, the same tiring is bound to continue. There is nominally 45 members in the Council, but reference to the division list attached discloses the fact that the average attendance is 285, and out of 61 divisions only on 19 occasions has the attendance exceeded 30. In recommending an increase of three members the Premier points out that it will not materially alter the position of parties. After analysing the voting on the policy bills, he says there was practically live of a majority in the Council against the policy measures. Since the prorogation the general election has taken place, and the opinion of the people has been expressed on the measures rejected by the Council. The result of the election further proved that the Government policy has the approval of the people, that they possess the confidence of the electors. The Premier, in tendering this advice, is not unmindful of the fact that the Governor is shortly leaving the colony, and deems it advisable that the matter should be dealt with in preference to leaving it to his successor, who, if this were done, would immediately be called on to deal with the matter without being, as Lord Glasgow was, well acquainted with the whole question. It was unreasonable to expect that the Acting-Governor would deal with this question. Even if the new Governor should arrive before Parliament meets it would be reasonable to expect that he would ask for time to make himself acquainted with tlie subject and examine thoroughly into the matter. The result would be that during the next session the position of the Council would remain as it did during the last session, and the character of the Upper Chamber would not be such as would promote the well-being of the people and give effect to their expressed desire. Then follows a recommendation in favour of Messrs Kelly, Harris, and Pinkerton.

Under date January 30th the Governor replies, " While prepared to accept the advice now tendered, Ik? considers that, in justice to himself he should indicate which of the premier's reasons for advice he should act on."

The Premier repeats, lie says, some of his reasons which he advanced on the last occasion when he advised four appointments, or, at least, similar reasons if nol the same words. With regard to these the Governor adheres to the views he then expressed, but the Premier has brought forward two others sufficient in his opinion to make it his duty to make the appointments now asked. The present position is that the party in power now appointed lifteen councillors in addition to those previously appointed by the same party, and on the appointments now asked for being gazettccl they will have appointed eighteen councillors in five years, a number which the Governor believes to be unprecedented in the history of this or any other colony. There can be no doubt, as the Governor has before pointed out, that when the time comes when another Government assumes office what has happened will form a very strong incitement to the next Ministry in their turn to make considerable additions to the Council, thereby raising it to an abnormal strength, and thus causing the colony unnecessary expense for which the present Government will have to bear the responsibility. The reasons which induce the Governor to agree to these appointments, however unnecessary he may deem them, are :—First, the result of the general election, which gives the Government a considerable though reduced majority, is evidence that the Premier was still possessed at the general election of the confidence of the colony. The second, is, he thinks it very inadvisable that such an important question should be left for the consideration of his successor, as from the Premier's memorandum appears to be the case were he not to agree to the advice given him. Therefore, although he feels that this intimation places a pressure upon him for the reasonsgiven,hehas come to the conclusion that it is his duty to act on the advice of his Ministers to grant the three appointments advised. On February sth, Ministers reply, especially in reference to the third paragraph : "In the Governor's despatch, pointing out that the party in power appointed nineteen councillors in six, not five, years, that these appointments had been made to fill vacancies caused by death, resignation, and forfeiture which amounted to eighteen, and to give effect to the decision arrived at, that four appointments should be made direct from the ranks of labour, no more appointments had been made than were, in the opinion of Ministers, necessary to fill the vacancies which from time to time occurred, and to keep 'the Council in a state of efficiency. The governor was doubtless under a misapprehension when he stated that the number of councillors appointed by this Ministry is unprecedented in the history of this or any other colony, for, on reference to A5, volume 1 appendices to the journals of the House, he found that from 1866 to 1869, the Stafford Government appointed 25 members to the Council, and, when there were only 21 vacancies. With regard to His Excellency's remarks as to the effect the action the Government might have on the incoming ministry, the Governor is aware that ministers do not share these views. Ministers respectfully contend that the fact of the constituencies : having returned a majority of members who support the party in | power is conclusive evidence that the action lof the Government with regard to the appointments to the Council has the approval of the country, and His Excellency's advisers are prepared to accept the responsi- : bility.