Evening Post. THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 1892. THE GOVERNOR AND THE MINISTRY.

Evening Post, Volume XLIV, Issue 42, 18 August 1892, Page 2

Evening Post. THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 1892. THE GOVERNOR AND THE MINISTRY.

¦* The correspondence laid before Parliament yesterday in reference to the appointment of additional members to the Legislative Council niturally recalls, and in some degree resembles, the correspondence which took place between His Excellency the Marquis of Normanby and Sir Geokoe Grey, as Premier, some years ago, regarding the appointment of the Hon. J. N. Wilson. It is, perhaps, scarcely so elaborate or learned, but it is even more important. If Sir George Grey found an able antagonist in Lord Normakby, Mr. Ballance has found an equally ablo one in Lord Glasgow. Although inexperienced in official life, and absolutely new to tho duties of a Constitutional Governor, Lord Glasgow has shown himself able to clearly grasp the pointß of the case he has been called on so suddenly to deal with, and in a plain, straightforward, common sense way, has proved himself no mean opponent in verbal fence, even against such a master of tho art as Mr. Ballance. Elsewhere we publish a full summary of the correspondence, and it will well repay porusal. The facts are very plain, and the points really lie in the proverbial nutsholl. Ministers attacked His Excellency two days after his arrival in tho colony with a request that he would do what Lord Onslow had refused — appoint twelve members to the Legislative Council. Possibly they thought that Sir P. Buckley had on the way from Sydney paved the way for this request. If the intention was to take His Excellency by surprise, Ministers were disappointed. Lord Onslow had left a memorandum behind for his successor's information on tho subject, and with characteristic caution Lord Glasgow declined to be hurried to any decision, and he asked for information, and for time to consider the position. The information which was subsequently supplied was certainly disingenuous, but fortunately His Excellency was not misled by it. He was enabled from the knowledge he had otherwise gained (and we may remark it was quite open for him to gain this knowledge, as he no doubt did, by reference to Parliamentary records, without any disloyalty to his Responsible Advisers) to sort out Parties in tho Council for himself, and ho arrived at a much more reliable classification than that tho Premier had laid before him. Tho result was that he offered to make nine appointments to the Legislative Council, as that number would be tho nearest approach possible to placing both Parties on an equality without manufacturing a majority, or, in other words, swamping the Council. Ministers demanded twelve appointments, and denied that even such a number would reverse the position of Parties in tho Council. They disclaimed any intention of seeking this, and claimed that their only desire was to insure full discussion of their measures in the Council, and to bo properly represented on tho committees of that body. This is the position, so far as one phase of it goes. It seems to be admitted that it would be wrong for the Government to ask. or the Governor to grant, under present circumstances, such an addition to the Council as would transform tho Party minority there into a majority. Ministers do not deny this, but they contend that twelve new appointments would have no such effect. His Excellency thinks otherwise, and we are certainly inclined to agree with his estimate of the probable effect of such a number of appointments. The number he is willing to make (nine) would certainly meet all the requirements of the situation as Ministers present it. What thero may bo behind, we are not, of course, prepared to say. Doubtless twelve appointments would better meet Party requirements outside the Council than nine, but no reasonable man can for a moment doubt that the addition of nine of the best men of the Ministerial Party to the Council would enable all Ministerial measures to receive the fullest explanation, discussion, and defence thero ; would place that side on equal, or moro than equal, terms in debating power with the other side, and would provide for ample representation of Ministerial interests on all Conncil committees. There certainly are not ten pronounced Party men who aro good debaters and zealous committee men on the other side. With Sir P. Buckley and nine selected new followers, the Government would undoubtedly ensure for its measures as much able discussion of a favourable character as tho other side can indulge in of an adverse nature What the Governor offers would meet all that Ministers profess to desire. Nine appointments would bo sufficient for their legitimate requirements as defined by themselves. Their desire for twelve must therefore be inspired by some considerations which thoy have not ventured to put forward in the argument. For these unknown, or, rather, undeclared reasons, therefore, Ministers desire lo create three additional Legislative Councillors, who would cost the colony_ say iJGOO a year. It is satisfactory that His Excellency bars tho way to such an exercise of patronage for Party purposes. Tnrning now from the question as between nine and twelve appointments, tho correspondence before us raises a much more important question— one of Constitutional principle Ministers contend that the right to make appointments to the Council is practically theirs, as the Governor is bound to act on their advice, and that his attempting to exercise any personal discretion, as tho representative of theCiown, is in derogation of tho rights and privileges of a selfgoverning colony. His Excellency, on tho other hand, maintains that as tho personal representative of tho Crown, it is his duty to protect the independence of tho Legislative Council as a branch of the Legislature, aud to prevent it being overridden and crushed at the will of tho Ministry of tho day which chances to have a majority in the other Chamber in favour of measures which have not been submitted to the country. In protecting the Council from being swamped in the manner proposed, His Excellency contends that the Crown is protecting theliborty of the people by compelling a reference of the questions at issue to the people. Tho keynote to His Excellency's position is struck in theso words :—": — " Should a measure bo thrown out, " it is open to Ministers to appeal to the " country. Thereafter, if the Legislative " Council wero to disregard the wishos of " the electorate as expressed at the polls, " sufficient omorgoncy would then have " arisen to justify the Governor in granting '' Ministers a sufficient number of appoint- " ments to bring the Upper House into har- " mony with the country." This is almost exactly as we put the case in writing on the subject on Tuesday evening, prior to tho appearance of this correspondence. The net result of the Ministerial arguments on the Constitutional question is that Ministers ¦impale themselves on the horns of a dilemma. If the appointment of Legislative Councillors ia a_ matter to which the principle of Ministerial responsibility applies, and in regard to which tho Crown's representative is merely a passivo instrument to give effect to the wishes of Advisers responsible only to Parliament, then the rejection of their advice in the present instance should havo been regarded by them as equivalent to an intimation that thoy no longer enjoy the Crown's confidence, and their proper course would be resignation. If they consider that after the rejection of their advice in this matter thoy are still justified in retaining office, they practioally concede all that His Excellency contends for — the Crown's right to form an independent judgment as to the acceptance or rejection of advice in such a case. If Ministers are the persons solely responsible for appointments to the Council, they should resign if the Crown will not do what they wish. If Ministers aro not responsible, however, and are entitled to retain office although thwarted in their desire to manufacture Legislative Councillors wholesale, the Governor has clearly acted in a proper and constitutional manner in the present instance, and Ministers havo no cause for complaint. Lord Glasgow has put tho position very clearly before them, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and the peoplo. He is supported in his view by such eminent Constitutional authorities as Tod, Lord John Russell, Lord Granville, Lord Carnarvon, and Lord Kimberley. Under present circumstances, he holds it to bo his duty to prevent tho Council being swamped by tho arbitrary creation of a Party majority thore. He tolls Ministers to presont their policy measures to the Counoil, and if these aro unfavourably received and dealt with, then to appeal in proper Constitutional form to tho country, after which it will bo the duty of the Crown to take the steps necessary to bring the nominated Upper House into harmony with the Lower House, as representing the opinions of the peoplo. should the majorities m tho respective Houses continue to be opposed to each other. This is clearly the proper and tho Constitutional course to pursne, and whoevor may be tho Seorotary of State for tho Colonios who will be called on to decide regarding the case as submitted to him by Lord Glasgow and Mr. Ballance, we cannot for a moment doubt that the decision will bo in favour of Lord Glasgow's contention and decision. Of course, if Miniitors think that the Governor's conduct is in " derogation of the rights of a self-governing oolony," as they somewhat grandiloquently expross it, they have an immediate method at their disposal whereby to vindicate their own dignity, and that of the colony, if it has been impugned^ They can, without waiting for hostile action on the part of the Council to justify an appeal to the people, foroe one at once, by resigning their portfolios, and letting His Excellency seek Advisers from the other side of the House. In this way they could by using their present majority force an immediate reference of all the questions at issue to the constituencies ; but it would be at the risk of at least a temporary deprivation of the sweets of office. They seem content to pocket their dignity so long as they can keep their places.

A summary of tho correspondence between the Ministers and His Excellency the Governor anent Legislative Conncil appointments, and our roport of yesterday's Parliamentary proceedings, will be found on tho fourth page. The Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company's s.s. Matatua, which was expected to leave Queensland yesterday, will in all probability call at Wellington for coal for consumption during the voyage to London. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Carl Moeller, manufacturer of furniture, Dixon-street, on a charge of forging a promissory note, in the name of Hy. Flookton for JE3O 10a, and uttering it to L. L. Harris. The defaulter ostensibly left for Otaki on Friday morning last per express train, his declared intention being to buy timber at that place. It is believed, however, that ho continued his journey to Onehunga, and meeting the 'Frisco boat at Auckland, took passage there for tho Golden Gate.

Dr. H'.adley, of Havelock, has written to the Jlarlborougli Express contradicting tie statement which, on the authority of an upconntry paper, has been going round the press, and which we quoted, that three of his children bad met with violent deaths. He Eays one was accidentally poi=oned a few years ago, but denies that another was killed by falling out of a vehicle or another by its clothes catching fire. Some funny grounds are frequently advanced by debtors sued on judgment summonses in the Magistrate's Court to show why they are unable to pay their liabilities, but a person who was sued on a judgment { summons before Mr. "Robinson, K.M., this morning, may assuredly be said to have nrged a sufficiently good defence. This debtor swore that "his inability to pay the claim for which he was sued was due to his having to pay £1 7s Od per month interest to a money-lender on a loan of .£27, which he had obtained on the security of his furniture, a'dray, and some cows valued at considerably over .£lOO. The amount of yearly interest payablp would consequently be £16 10s. Such usury speaks for itself. The Resident Magistrate; addressing Mr. Wilford, who appeared for the defendant, said he considered the interest charged excessive. No order was made. Anent the alleged impostor Lawson, now in the custody of the police on a charge of obtaining mor.ey by false pretences, the New Zealand Herald states that when the accused was arrested he had in his possession_ a number of credentials and testimonials, but these, after careful examination by the police, have been pronounced to have been all written apparently by the one hand. Amongst them was a letter from the secretary of the Wellington Jnnior Club, stating that, having found his credentials correct, he (Lawson) had been elected a membsr of the club. The letter was written on club paper, and enclosed in a club envelope, but a quantity of stamped club note-paper was found amongst his effects. On the civil side of the Magistrate's Court to-day, Mr. Robinson, R.M., gave judgment for plaintiffs in the following cases : — George W. Dalton v. Wm. Griffiths, M 12s 3d, costs 7s ; "Wellington Loan Company v. J. Maymore and J. T. Thompson, £8 2s Gd, costs 15s ; Te Aro Loan Company v. Alex. Farmer, .£5O 8s 4d, costs £2 ; Thos. Munt v. T. Newland, £3 14s Id, costs Cd. In the case of Courtney and Elizabeth Baldwin v. John Duff, a claim for £1 10s, judgment was given for defendant. The trnstees of the Wesley Church, Tara-naki-street, and the Wesleyan Churches of Newtown and Thorndon, held a meeting in the Taranaki-streot church last evening to consider the provisions of the Wesleyan Methodist Church Trust Bill at present before the Legislative Council. The Rev. J. J. Lewis, Superintendent of the Circuit, occupied the chair, and there were 17 trustees present, representing church proportyto the valuo of .£30,000. The opinion was unanimously expressed by the trustees present that Parliament should permit the Methodists to conduct their church business according to their own ideas. After fully discussing the Bill a vote was taken, and 15 of those present voted for it iv its entirety, whilst the remaining two trustees suggested an amendment limiting a minister's stay in a circuit to five years. The 15 gentlemen in favour of the Bill signed a petition for presentation to the Legislative Council. It was mentioned that there are twelve othor trustees in the city who will also sign the petition. The punishment of two first offence drunkards was the only criminal business transacted at the Magistrate's Court this morning. The members of the Wellington Debating Society discussed last evening the question, " Is Freetrado or Protection most conducive to the Prosperity of a country?" Mr. J. H. Shine opened the debate with a capital speech in favour of Freetrade, and similar views wore expressed by Messrs. Joseph Myers, W. G. Tustin, and J. A. Heginbotham. Mr. T. K. Macdonald strongly advocated a Protective policy, and Messrs. C._W. Tanner and A. A. Burnett followed suit. Mr. T. Orr also spoke, taking up a neutral position. The debate was adjourned until next Wednesday. Thero was a large attendance, and Mr. Edgar Jones, the President, was in tho chair. The Metropolitan Permanont Building and Investment Society has declared a dividend and bonus to its shareholders at the rate of 7i per cent, per annum for the halfyear just ended. The success which has attended the society's operations will be a source of gratification to its shareholders, and should renew tho confidence of investors. It was reported at a meeting of the Drillshed Trustees, last evening, that further damage had been done to the building bj malicious persons, gas brackets having beer torn off and doors knocked down. Tho matter has been reported to the police, and it is understood that a clue has been obtained. His Excellency the Governor has giver his patronage to M'Lean's Young Australians' Company, who will commence theii New Zealand tour at the Opera Houso tomorrow night, and purposes being proseni at one of the performances during nox\ week. Enquiry is made in Lloyd's Weekly for the following :— Henry William Sutton, of Swaffham, Norfolk, loft England in 1865; lasi heard of in 1867, at Christchurch, New Zealand ; his only brother James seeks his whereabouts. Edward Frost sailed from East India Docks on 23rd January, 1870, ir the Golden Sea, bound for Wellington, New Zealand; last address, in October, 1880. Bath Hotel, Bourke-streot, Melbourne ; his sister Martha (Patty) is anxious for news. Arbhur Herman left Clapham for New Zealand in the s.s. lonic, 21st August, 1888 ; last wrote homo about two and a-half years since from Ballarat, Australia; his widowed mother and sister Rose' are very anxious for nows. Edward Davy left Lonth, Lines., 40 years ago for New Zealand. His niece (Betsy) would be glad to have news -f him. William Honry Denne left Canterbury in Octobor, 1851 ; in 1873 was at St. Albans, Canterbury, New Zealand ; sister Mary asks. _ A public temperance meeting in connection with Mr. T. W. Glover's mission was held at the Temperance Hall, Adelaide-road, last evening. Mr. F. H. Fraser presided, and speeches were delivered by the Chairman, the Rev. W. Shiror, Mr. JB. Taylor, of Sydenhaui, Mr. Glover, and others. The main object of the meeting was to instil new life into tho Good Tomplar Order, and members were urged to be up and doing, as there was a great fight before them. Reference > was made to tho new Wellington Prohibition League, and momberß invited to join it. Some time ago tho Wellington Rowing Clnb decided to hold a social gathering amongst tho members and their friends, in place of the annual ball. The affair camo off at Thomas & Co. 'a Hall last evening, and passod off exceedingly well — in fact, it may bo rogarded as one of tho most successful of its kind held during the present Beason. The room was crowded — inconveniently so for dancing— but under the ablo management of Mr. J. B. Speed, the M.C., assisted by others, no hitch occurred to mar the pleasure of those presont. The supper, which was laid out by Messrs. T. Rowell & Son with great taste, was excellent, and the same term applies to tho music, which was supplied by Minifio's String Band. The committco of management consisted of Messrs. A. S. Paterson (Captain), Mouatt (Deputy Captain), J. B. Speed, G. Robinson, M. F. Marks, G. Parsons, W. Wilson, E. Barber, B. Davenport, and F. Evans (Treasurer), while Mr. S, Dfr performed the duties of Secretary. A meeting of prominent temperance workers from tho various temperance sooieties and churches of the City was hold in the Wesloyan Sohoolroom last night, when the details of Mr. Tennyson Smith's 13 days Mission were arranged. Mr. F. H. Fraser has accepted tho Presidency of tho Mission, Mr. J. W. Copithorne tho post of Financial Secretary, and Mr. Ward Parker was appointed Secretary. A large number of lady workers wore appointed to act as pledge secretaries, under the superintendence of Mrs. Tattle, Mrs. Dodgshun, and Miss Seabright. A Hall Committee, superintended by Messrs. I. Hunt, A. Williams, E. C. Ludwig, and Patten, was also formed. A general meeting of workers will bo held in the Congregotional Church, Courtenay Place, to-morrow evening. The united choir which is being formed under the leadership of Mr. Billman, assisted by Messrs. Cooper and Frew, will meet for practico to-morrow evening in the Baptist Church. Tho new programme as performed by Davys' Bright Lights Company appears to be even more appreciated than those which preceded it, the various songs, dances, and sketches, being nightly greatly applauded. The entertainment will be repeated to-night. Tho Wesloyan Mutual Improvement Society will give their third lantern entertainment at the Schoolroom, Taranakistreet, to-morrow evening, at 8 o'clock. A most attractive programmo is offered, and no pains have been spared to make the entertainment a suocess. The descriptive lectureson " The Lowlands of Scotland " and Glasgow and Doon the Water," illustrated by dissolving views, will be given by Mr. A. S. Paterson, and appropriate Scotch songs by leading amateurs will be introduced as the lectures proceed. A first-class orchestra will also render selections during the evening. The proooeds are to be devoted to tho Society's Library Fund. At the late Bible Christian Hall, Mannersstreet, last evening, the Rev. J. Crowes conducted another of his weekly phrenological entertainments. The seoond of lantern portraits of our public men was exhibited, the Hon. Mr. Scddon being the subject, as illustrative of the importance of "temperaments." Members of the Amateur Operatic Society are reminded by advertisement that a rehearsal of the opera " Rip Van Winkle" takes place to-morrow evening at 7.45. We are requested to state that the Choral Society will not meet for practice this evening. Churchward & Co. ■Kill sell to-morrow, fruit) &c A. J. Reid will sell to-morrow, sundries. Townsend & Paul will soil to-morrow, f riiit, &c. This week's sale contains some bargains of a very extraordinary character, and we may say that for superb qualities nothing like our colonred watered silks have ever been seen before in this city. The prices, too, are so very much below their usual value that it will surprise us if they aro not at once secured by eager customers, at Te Aro House. "Fit for an Empress" and "Fit for a Duchess " are terms that we justly apply to some very beautiful, extra quality pure silks, in grey and blaok and white stripes. Our readers should carefully con our announcement of theso on the next page, and we are quite sure they will endorse our judgment of these handsome silks by pnrchasing them straightway during this week's sale, at Te Aro House. Of handsome real Irish poplin dresses, we have only two, in silver grey and in claret and bine stripes. Imagine the luxury of purchasing these at less than half-price, viz., .£7 183 6d for three guineas, at Te Aro House, during this week's sale. Thxrs are marvels of cheapness all over

the v.-arehouset. Bead our advertisement on the first page and over the leader, and see the bargains for yourselves during this week's sale, at Te Aro House. — Adyt. A new style of Boxing Glove is now being shown in the Manners-street window of Messrs. Wilkins & Field's establishment. It is called the " Pelican," after the celebrated Club of that name, and should be a great improvement on the old style. The whole hand is thrust into the glove, and there is a flexible bar to grasp. This does away with the division between the thumb and fingers, and the attendant liability to scratch. It is well made, evenly padded, covered with soft tanned leather, and well finished. We commend them to the notice of all interested in the " Noble Art."— Advt. The greatest hononr that can be conferred on an English merchant is to be appointed purveyor to the House of Commons, and only those obtain this distinction whose goods are found to be superior to those of other firms. The proprietors of Buchanan's famed "House of Commons Whisky" gained for their brand this high honour — a fact which New Zealanders would do well to ponder over, and, instead of carelessly and indiscriminatingly drinking any fluid that may be placed before them, call for Buchanan's " House of Commons Whisky " on all occasions. — Advt. 3 Ladies, for afternoon tea use Aulsobrook'e Oswego Biscuits; a perfect delicacy. — Advt. __^^______