PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.

Marlborough Press, Volume XIII, Issue 819, 18 September 1872, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.

September 10. Mr Stafford announced that he luid formed a Ministry, consisting of himself, Messrs Eitzherbert, Gillies, Curtis. Reid, and Sewell (in the Upper House). It was probable, however, that at least one other member would be added. It was intended also to add one, if not two, Maori members to the Executive to advise on Native matters, but the greatest care and deliberation--would be exercised in selecting these Native members. As Ministers bad only been sworn m a few hours, he asked the House to adjourn till Friday, to enable them to decide what business should be proceeded with, and what should be allowed to stand over. Mr Gillies would be Treasurer ; Mr Reid, Minister for Public Works. The other portfolios had not yet been allotted. Mr Brown asked if Messrs Gillies, Fitzherbert, and Curtis had resigned their Superintendencies. Mr Stafford replied that they would resign either before or at the termination of the session, therein following Mr M‘Lean’s example in 1869. The House need be under no apprehension that Superintendents would be in the Government. Mr Fox reminded the House, that in Mr M'Lean’s case he bad not, like Mr Stafford, made a positive declaration against Superintendents in the Ministry. He hoped that Messrs Curtis, Fitzherbert, and Gillies would resign before the end of the session, as if there was anything wrong in Superintendents being in the Ministry, their presence there must be especially mischievous during the session, when their offices would enable them to bring a large amount of pressure to bear. He congratulated Mr Stafford on his old colleague, and the colleague of so many other Ministers, Mr Sewell, being once more in the Government. After some further debate, an Imprest Supply Bill of £50,000 from the Consolidated Fund, and £20,000 from the Defence Loan was passed through all its stages. Mr Gisborne has resigned his seat for Egmont. A new writ will be issued. September 11. Mr Macandrew has given notice of the following amendment on Mr Reynolds’ resolutions : “ That in order to provide for the more efficient and economical administration of Government, it is expedient that New Zealand be constituted two Colonies, divided by Cook Straits •, that provision be made for the equitable adjustment of the annual charges arising out of existing burdens of New Zealand ; also whereby the two Colonies shall be subject to the same Customs Tariff, and confederated for external purposes common to each ; that a Bill to give elf. ct to tiiis resolution be prepared during the recess, and submitted to the Assembly next session. . It is reported that Mr Moorhouse lias resigned his Registrar-Generalship, in order to stand for Egmont. September 13. On the House meeting to-day, Mr Stafford said Mr Curtis would be Commissioner of Stamps and Customs, and temporarily PostmasterGeneral and Telegraph Commissioner ; Mr Sewell would bo Colonial Secretary, and the sole medium of communication with the AgentGeneral. lie felt that the Public Works would require the .sole attention of one Minister,, und therefore Immigration would be given into the hands of Mr Fitzherbert. The Government were convinced that the whole success of the Public Works policy depended on the introduction and settlement of immigrants, and Mr Fitzherbert would devote his attention to these points. He would also examine into the state of the surveys throughout the Colony, with a view to the institution of a reliable and uniform system throughout the Colony, which, while not ignoring the valuable information- already accumulated, would secure future unity of action, especially in reference to trigonometrical surveys. Mr Fitzherbert would also superintend the Crown Lands Department. Government intended to co-operate most fully with the Provinces regarding the introduction and location of immigrants. The Ministry was formed on the principle of maintaining the unity of the Colony, with the seat of Government at Wellington. They would oppose direct and indirect attempts at separation, and meet Mr Reynolds’ and Mr Macandrew’* motions by the previous question. At the same time he admitted the existence of a desire in favor of insular separation both in the Nortli and South Islands, and during the recess the Government would carefully consider whether such administrative machinery could be devised as would remove the causes for such feeling. Government intended, as soon as funds allowed, to proceed with railways already authorised, but it was evident the funds at command would not suffice to complete anything like the whole of the lines in the schedule of the Railway Act. The contracts already let absorbed nearly threefourths of the amount available, and the rolling stock, departmental charges, and interest would only leave an inconsiderable balance. It was therefore necessary to consider by what means they could obtain funds for the completion, sooner or later, of other lines ; and until these were done, no new contracts beyond present means would be entered into ; and in any future contracts he pledged the Government not to sanction an amount in excess ot the price authorised by Parliament. He did not,however, bind himself to prices authorised, as in last session, but in each case to ask Parliament to fix the amount, and he would not exceed it. He would as quickly as possible expend the amount voted for works north of Auckland. Wherever unembarrassed by existing arrangements, he would let all works by tender. The Ministry would give effect to the opinions on Native matters expressed by him in his speech in reply. At the present period of the session, Government would not take up any large new questions. He hoped the session would terminate in a month. In order to save time, Government would accept their predecessors’ Estimates generally, but would endeavor to reduce them as largely as possible when before the House. Government would strenuously endeavor to bring the ordinary expenditure within the ordinary revenue of the Colony, and avoid increasing the floating debt. He admitted the growth of public dissatisfaction at the increase of the Civil Service, and intended to T the appointment of a Parliamentary Commissk. to inquire into the matter during the recess, and recommend the necessary steps to the House next session. He approved of the principle of their predecessors’ Public Revenue Bill, but would not pledge himself to all the details. He would next session introduce a new Gold-mining Bill and Native Land Court Bill, and a bill to supplement the existing machinery, where defective, regarding Education, so as to render primary education available to all parts of the Colony. This measure would not interfere with existing systems where satisfactory. He would circulate the Gold and Native Lands bills through the country prior to next session, and the Education bill also if possible. He would also consider the question of gaol discipline, with a view to provide classification of prisoners by having special gaols for long-sentenced prisoners. The Government was aware of the existence of discontent on the Nelson Gold-fields, but not of any special causes thereof. Mr Curtis hardly shared his colleagues’ opinions as to the sound nature of those causes, but the Government would fully, consider and investigate the matter, with the object of devising some means for improving the administration of affairs so as to render it more acceptable to the people. He did not believe that creating a new province would conduce to good government in that part of the Colony. During the recess they would consider the question of amending the law of insolvency. The present Gold-Mining bill would be withdrawn. They would take up the Stamp Act Amendment bill, and extend it by reducing cheque stamps to one penny. They were not

prepared at present to accept Mr Sheehan's proposed extension of Maori representation, but would not object to give a native member to Waikato, and’Poverty Pay district. They would not proceed with the present Civil Service Amendment bill. Mr John Martin, accused of breach of privilege in having bought land on Mr Andrews’ run with the avowed intention of punishing Mr Andrews for the vote given by him last session, appeared at the bar of the House. He made a humble apology, and offered to withdraw his application for the land. The case was adjourned to allow liiip to do so.