THE MINISTERIAL CRISIS—Aug. 16.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 143, 20 August 1866, Page 2

THE MINISTERIAL CRISIS— Aug. 16.

* . Mr. Stafford rose and said — Sir, in moving that this House ad its rising do adjourn" to Tuesday next.

I shall take the opportunity of mating a statement which is expected from me after the defeat -which the Ministry received last night. In consequence of that defeat the Ministry considered it necessary to at once place their resignation in the hands of his Excellency. Our resignations were transmitted to his Exeellency last night, and were accepted. I may add that I this morning, received a summons from his Excellency, and that when I Avaited upon him he pointed out to me that I had made no allusion as to whom the retiring Ministry recommended should be sent for. I intimated that it was not necessary for me to make any such nomination — I might, indeed, do so — but my failing to do so was not any breach of etiquette, as I could with propriety wait to be asked my opinion. I may mention to the House that his Excellency agreed with what I then said. Now, I may say there has. been a great deal of invidious criticism on the' members of my Government. On the one hand, they have been lavished with attempted praise, and on the other, they have been covered with attempted blame, but I will say that I do not believe that there ever was a more wholly united Government than the one which has just resigned — they haJ. but one mind, and they worked for the one common object, the present good conduct and future advancement of the colony. And I state that there has been no want of proper and conscientious performance of duty on the part of the Ministry, notwithstanding the gross animadversions which have been cast upon them. It will be a consolation to myself and colleagues to feel that our work has been conscientiously done, and that there has has not been a single do artmontal mistake or error which has called forth the attention of the House during the session. I would now close my remarks, but that I wish to say something of a gentleman, who, although not a member of this House, has been attacked behind his back by some members present, who have not thought such an action beneath them. I allude to the Minister for Native Affairs. Whatever may have been said of him, it ia a pride to him that in contra distinction from the four Native Ministers who preceded him, lie has not introduced a single matter which has caused a new dispute between the natives and the Europeans. When he came into office he found the districts on the East Coast, as we!! us some on the West Coast, in a state of disturbance. The wars and disputes which existed have most of them been settled, nor have the public been horrified by any Irtish murders by the natives. My hon. friend tho Native' Ministc* will, therefore, retire from his public career with sonic pride and triumph if he. compares the events which took place during hi:-, tenure of office with those of former Native Ministers. Whatever may be the future of the present Government, we cannot separate without a strong feeling of self-respect fur the coui'se we have pursued and the success of that course. Messrs. Fitzgerald, Vbgel, Cargill, and otiiers having spoken, the question of adjourning to the 21st, was put and carried.