NEW ZEALAND.

Press, Volume III, Issue 70, 13 September 1862, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

WELLINGTON. FROM OVH OWN COURKSrONDENT. [Continued from our lant.] The old question of the Seat of Government has just boen brought on in the present session of the Assembly. Mr. Dick moved a resolution to the effect that it was desirable that the seat of government should be removed to Cook's Straits. He had originally proposal to namu Wellington, but that there was no hope of carrying it in the present attitude of Nelson ; so he withdrew the iirst motion, and proposed 'Cook's Straits,'as a proposition in which it might l:e expected all the Middle Island members could unite. The resolution was lost by 22 to 23. One vote less for tho Noes and one vote more for Ayes, and the resolution would have been carried. Mr. Cracroft Wilson, the member for Christchurch, enjoys the distinguished and enviable notoriety of having by his single vote turned a division which has frustrated the hopes which the people of Canterbury have indulged in for eight or nine years, of seeing the seat of government brought into a more central position. The debate was nob a very important or a very lively one; but it was relieved from monotony by a passage of arms between the two great Maori authorities, Bell, and Mantell. Mantell had only resigned his post as Postmaster General a day or two before to make room for Ward. Towards the close of the debate he made a short but telling speech, in which he said that his experience had been that the Maoris could not be governed if the Government were too near them, and ho advocated tho removal to Cook'a Straits on the very ground that the government of the Mauris required it. When he sat down Mr. Bell rose, as usual of late in a state of excitement, and said he was perfectly amazed at such an opinion from one who was so great an authority and had so lately been his colleague; that he had no idea that such had been Mr. Mantell's views, or ho would not have taken office with him; and that so strongly did he feel on this question, that, if the resolution was carried, he would resign hie post aa Native Minister. The House was taken by surprise at such au announcement, and every one felt that it was a most unfair proceeding. The question was well understood to have been tin open one. in fact, no ministry could be formed in which it was not an open question, as some of the ministers must always vote for it, whilat the Auckland men could not be expected to do so ; besides almost every one had spoken, and the House ought to have known at first if the question was to be a ministerial one. No doubt Bell's declaration had the effect of carrying one or two votes with him, but so strong was the feeling of the impropriety of tho course he had adopted, that after the division he got up and said that he had been hurried away by hie astonishment at Mr. MiiutcU'e opinion of which ho had been quite ignorant, but that he felt he had said more thnn he ought to have said in tho excitement of the moment However, the resolution was thrown out by a majority Qf one. And so the great question is settled for this year. KtJl it is but for a year—next year it must be removal of the Seat of Government, or Separative, Every one sees now, that must be the alternative. A day or two after, the question waa raised again in another shape ou the resolution brought in by Mr. Thomson, that the next session of the Assembly should be held at Wellington. This waa rejected, the Nelaon men voting with the Auckland men to oust Wellington. Cracroft Wilson then moved that it should be held at Chriatchurch. There was not the smallest chance of carrying such a proposal; and Mr. Moorhouse attacked tho member for Ohristchurch somawhat severely though not altogether uudeserredly, when he told him that he ' had made a supremely ridiculous proposition merely for the purpose of relieving himself from a very embarrassing position. . The fact was that Mr. C. Wilson had received the numerously signed petition from his conBtitueius winch had come up from Christchurch praying for the removal of the Seat of Government. He presented the petition the next day after it arrived, and after the question had been disposed of, amidst loud laughter; and Mr. Khodee somewhat maliciously moved that it be printed. It was not a pleasant position lor the hon. member. He defends himself by saying that he thinks the Seat of Government ought not to be removed till the native question is settled." Mantell's <■ opinion, however, and the fact that Sxr George Grey has called the present session at Wellington in spite of the Maori difficulties, are sufficient auswers to such an idea. Nelson waa also tried, but rejected, all the Nelson men voting against it, so as by a fluke to prevent a division which would have displayed the weakness of NeUou; so that, although a division had been called for, none could be taken, there being no teller for the * avt;s.' It was finally carried that tho next session should be held at such place as the Governor should appoint. Mr. Stafford tried to add the words, not being one of the place already rejected this session, but the move was characterised by the member of EHeemere aa a dodge to elicit by a side wind instead of by a direct proposal, an opinion in favor of Auckland. Ana the House seemed to take the same view, for the addition was rejected without division, and the original pro]wsition carried. So that now it remains that the Governor is to call the next Assembly where he thinks proper. The only other matter of importante haa been the Nominated Superintendent's BilL The second reading was carried by n majority of three. The Bill was altered in committee by the mover, but on the third reading it was Unown out by a majority of one. The Wellington members opposed it vigorously. Of course the Superinteudenta in the House opposed, it but I believe it would be carried in anothor eeeeion. More than half the arguja n'4

U3?d againet it svera based on the idea that the electors should not be t;iken l.y surprise. A most silly objection, cons.derma that tue bJI provided that it could only become law on the requisition virtually of the people themselves. If the olicti»r.-i m tin' provinces did not like it, it could not come i.ito operation. However, if it ever coined on again, it will be p.uH.'d aa a:i absolute ia.w But incomparably thn most important Bill which has been brought Iviore the*//«>use this -session, or indeed, any session siiu-v tl.e coinnifn'-'i'inent of the colony, is the Native Lands Bill. I s:iy most important, because it reverses the laws which have beta in force for t!ie laf>t twenty-two years on the subject of tenure of Native Lands. The object of the Bill ii to declare that the natives have the same right to their lands aa tiie huropeans haw to theirs, and that their title is one which on Jit to be recognized in courts of law. The necessary «.-oiiM'«|iienre of tins principle will be the direct sale of land by natives to Europeans. The Hill was brought in by Air. Bell, the Nat ye Minister, in a very able speech. It was first opposed by Mr. Jullie, who argued at considerable lenath, and by reference to a great number of authorities, that it constituted a reversal of all the previously existing principles and maxims of Government on the subject. But Mr. Jollies speech only went to prove what was admitted be.ore. The Bill is intended to create an entire revolution in the Native Land policy. I will not describe the debate at length. It was in fact perhaps the longest debate which has yet occurred in the House of Representatives, occupying one morning and three evening sittings, each night to a very late hour. Mure than thirty members spoke out of the lifty-four who compose the House. An attempt w;is made to force a division the. first evening, but it was resolutely resisted, and the attempt was abandoned. Perhaps the most remarkable speech of this memorable debate was that by Mr. Mantel!, who spoke with such clearness and. power as t> render it a matter of great surprise he does not speak, oftener. Manfell described and characterised in very strong terms the mode in which the natives had been induced to part with their lands to the Crown, and claimed the right to speak with authority, having been the agent for the purchase of many millions of acres, more than have boon bought by any other Commissioner, or indeed, than all other (Commissioners put together. This denouncement of the old system by such an authority produced a marked impression on the House. The parties m the House on this question may be divided into three. First, what may be called the independent political I tarty, who regard the proposed law as a political necessity, >oth expedient and right as regards the political requirements o* the Colony. Secondly, the commercial party, who an thinking to obtain kind, and look upon the passing of this law as opening the prospect of vast speculations, similar to those which went on when Governor Fitzroy waived the pre-emptive right on the part of the Crown. And lastly, the Wellington party, who oppose the measure on political grounds, but whose real dislike to it arises from the fact that it will put an end to the land fund for Wellington. With the latter, the Superintendent of Auckland unites, because he fears that, if the land gets into private hands, he will be unable to satisfy the land claimants who come out under the Auckland land regulations. The motives of the latter party are called interested ; but this is too hard a word. They argued that the new system was a virtual abandonment of the systematic colonisation of the country. But the House felt that this system had really brought itself to an end. The Superintendent of Wellington is confident that he can continue to buy land from the natives, but the general feeling on the part of the periti in native matters is that, except as regards some few traetsin Wellington, the system of extinguishing the native title by the Crown has come to an end, and that the Maori land leagues will prohibit any further purchases of great extent. FitzGerald and his section of course took the extreme view that the Bill was only the recognition of a right which it was impossible to deny; but the member for Ellesmere regretted that this great boon to the Auckland men should have been brought in alone, instead of making it the price by which concessions to the natives in other matters, and the whole of a wise and liberal native policy, might have been extorted from those who will probably be indifferent, when they have got all they want. Mr. Bell replied to the debate in a tone and style, with a power and vigor, which far surpassed all the expectations of his warmest admirers. Confident m his subject, with an excellent memory for past transactions, and a mind stored with an inexhaustible supply of facts, he took up every leading point in a debate of unusual duration and replied in a manner always satisfactory, sometime triumphant. Generally a somewhat feeble and diluted Rpeaker, on this occasion he was terse, vigorous, and conclusive, and eat down with the long continued applause due to one of the ablest speeches of the present or former sessions. The Bill was carried through the second reading by a large majority ; eight I" believe. I do not send it to you because it will be greatly altered in Committee. There are to be clauses introduced to ■satisfy the party, and to allow the Covemoi* to suspend the law in certain districts. The constitution of the court before which the titles are to be established is also to be mmunvhat altered. Nutive juries are to bo introduced to try the rights of claimants, but the principle of the Bill wijl bo preserved, and it will no doubt become law. It will however, have to go to England for the assent of the Crown, and will "probably have to be passed by tha Parliament of England, as it is held to violate the provisions of the Constitution Act. Somo very important resolutions h;ive been passed. On a resolution by Mr. Stafford,, supported by the Government, the house asserted the necessity for another judge lor Otago. and raised the- salaries, that of the chief justice to 4,'1T00 and those of the puisne judges to ±'1500 a year. The salaries oi" ministers were also raised to £1000 each. A resolution wat. also passed expressing their opinion that the vlttoviiey General ought not to act as a minister of justice, and need not nec -ssarily be ;\ member of the F.xecutiw Council. Another t< solution was proposed afhrmipg that for ten years to come the jufltffs should be appointed by the frown on the recomruondnticn of tin Ktiirlifh jud-jjc ; but the house refused to jiass it, considering that the judges ought to be appointed by the Governor in eomicil. A resolution was passed asserting that the judges ought not to be* nn:uitK»i> of council. In conimillto of supply the Ti>r:uiaki men brought in their claim for compensation lor their losses in the late war. After niu; h u.-tion the committee passed a resolution declaring that rhe claim w; , * «mc wholly on tin? home government, because flu , losses in rhe war were due solely to the unsuccessful niture vi tiio iniJitnty operation*. But that the sum ought to be advanced out of tin , colonial chest, pending the claim hem'/ reeognissd by tin* home i.ovemmeut, and recommending that a comui'tt; c bo appointed to enquire into and determine the amount of that eiaim, and the niodo in vhieh it diould be eolketf'fL September 7. Tha Native Lands Bill in Committee hr.s taken up nearly the -vhrle veek in the Ho;ise r> t Representatives. It has been iougiit line by line by the Wellington men: they have succeeded in getting the Msfeawatu block excepted, in getting some clauses of Fox's Bill put in, Mid in effecting" other changes which have greatly altered the appearance of the Jbeaeure, It coroes on for second reading in the Legislative

Council to-morrow, and its fate is uncertain- Some appear to think it ruinous to the true interests both of natives and Europeans in the North Island : and that in any event, it would throw upon the Middle Island an undeniable claim from the North for compensation. The Gold Fields Bill has as good as passed both Houses ; likewise the Marine Boards Bill. Sewell has introduced two very useful bills for your immediate locality: one, amending the Public Reserves Act. enables a Superintendent and Provincial Council to grant public res3rves to municipal corporations : this removes the hitch in the case of the Christchurch and Lytteltou Councils. The other bill enables the land of absentees to be sold for nonpayment of rates. Both of them will, I think, pass. The bill providing for the local issue of Crown Grants has been amended in the Legislative Council, by striking out the clauses which made the Superintendent a necessary party to their issue, and it now leaves the Government free to appoint its own Commissioners. If the House of Representatives will not take the bill in this shape it will not pass. Dr. Rayuer's appointment to the magistracy has received some notice in both Houses. Moorhouse made his appointI ment the peg on which to hang a resolution affirming that an appointments of Justices of the Peace Superintendents should be "consulted with." It was carried after a pretty warm discussion, ministers and Stafford opposing. Tn the Legislative Council Mr. Hall brought on a resolution directly affirming the necessity for an enquiry into Rayner's fitness. This was carried, and Government promised to issue a commission to give effect to it The electric telegraph you know is given up. In answer to Cargill, on Monday, the Government declined to guarantee interest on its cost if put up by Provincial Governments. Bell seems to be the ruling spirit in the ministry, and I suppose we may thank him for the loss of this instalment of " Justice to the Middle Island." While this sum ia struck off, £6000 is proposed for a steamer on the Waikato, and £600 for buoying one of the Manakau channels. Upon what principle Canterbury could be refused a sum for buoying the Heathcote I cannot understand. Perhaps the Auckland men think that .is the Seat of Government will soon cease to shine upon them they had better make hay while it remains. The Militia Bill has just been reported from a committee, chiefly of Taranaki men: they naturally take great interest in the matter. 1 have not seen the bill,, but understand it rather points to a more general call upon the militia than has hitherto been made, and also remove some grievances as to difference of rank between militia and volunteers which the latter are very sore about An attempt will be made to get the Bill through, but I fear it is too late. The million loan pro] osal has not yet been brought forward, but is promised immediately. People do'nt seem to believe in it. There has not been much speaking, but a good deal of talking. It was interrupted on Wednesday by the building being given up for the Assembly Ball, which is said to have gone off very well: the Governor was there r'or a short time. The Speaker, referring to the presence of the ladies, pronounced that the ayes (eyes) had it Oh ! People will have it that everything is to be over by Saturday next, in which case the Southern members will, go down by the " Queen." Bub as there are still fourteen bills in the House of Representatives besides some to be introduced, a prorogation on Saturday will involve the loss of a good many of these. I do'ut believe the session will finish till the 20th.