WELLINGTON.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 213, 11 September 1867, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

[PROM OTJR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] September 7. At 12*40 on Saturday moruiug came to an end the longest debate that has ever taken place in the New Zealand Parliament, during which the unprecedented number of 43 speeches were made, occupying some 38 hours, and all this has ended in — nothing, not even a division. People say that the amount of speechifying that was got through denotes a most healthy state of things, showing, as it does, that the representatives take a deep interest in the politics of the country. It may be so, but I am uncharitable enough to attribute the increased talking power of the House to the existence of 'Hansard,* in which members take perhaps a pardonable pride in seeing their speeches go forth to the world. A good thick volume of that publication is without doubt the effect, but I believe it to be also the cause, of a lengthened debate. To show that I am correct in stating that nothing has been done, I must tell you that on the House going into Committee of Supply immediately after tho debate, Mr Fitzherbert accused Mr Yogel in language more forcible than elegant of 'skulking' and shirking his responsibilities as leader of the opposition by not going to a division — thus showing that he could not take a beating in good part. Mr Yogel retorted in language equally refined, stating somewhat iv the 'tv quoque' style that it was not himself, but the Treasurer who was skulking, that he had virtually accepted his (Mr Vogel's) amendment, and now on beiug defeated was eriuging like a ' beaten hound.' So you will see that there still exists even in New Zealand- a considerable amount of the good old obstinate spirit ascribed by Napoleon to the British troops at Waterloo: both sides were, ih the opinion of their opponents, beaten and neither of them knew it; in fact everybody was triumphant. But what they fought each other for, I could not well make out; But everybody said, quoth he, It was a famous victory. I fear very much that the tone of the Parliamentary debates is gradually becoming lower and lower; the language is certainly not of that refined description which I had been led to suppose characterised the speeches of honorable members; . Eov instance, in addition to the epithets that I have already mentioned, such terms &s 'balderdash' and 'buffoonery' are occasionally applied to the matter or maiiher of delivery of an opponent's speech. . These expressions might pass muster at a public meeting, but it is much to be deplored that they have been allowed to creep in to a House of Assembly that not long ago justly prided itself on the dignified and

gentlemanlike manner in which its debates were conducted. It was plain from the great pains that Ministers took to reply to the speech of Mr Curtis, thut they considered Lim to be one of the most influential members of the House, and it must have been highly gratifying to him to find how much weight they evidently attached to his opinions. I find that you have had a large meeting in Nelson on the subject of finance; now it is an easy matter to find fault, but has anyone proposed a remedy for the evils of taxation? Of all the speakers who. decried the proposed financial policy in the late debate, not oue attempted to propound a scheme which j might be instituted ior that of the Colonial Treasurer. There were a whole host of piecemeal suggestions, but nothing approaching to a definite plan. This perhaps may be attributed to the entire abseuce of auything like party organisation — the palpable want of adhesion amongst members or their propositions. The opposition consisted of a mere ' fortuitous concourse of atoms,' without one siugle tie to bind them together, so that it was the old story over again. Ministers would have been utterly powerless to break up the faggot had it been so well bound together as to compel them to deal with it 'en masse' but as it was, all they had to do was to take up one stick at a time and snap it at their leisure, until they had destroyed the whole bundle. To those who listened to the debate throughout, and witnessed the gradual demolition of the detached aud disconnected proposals that had been made by the opponents of the Ministerial scheme, the symmetry of the latter become more and more conspicuous as the contrast offered by the broken fragments by which it came to be surrounded grew more glaringly apparent. I by uo means intend to assert that the financial statement, as made by the Colonial "Treasurer, is a satisfactory one; but this I do say, that we have no choice offered to us; it is that or none, for up to the present moment nothing whatever has been proposed iv its place, and until a strong party is formed which shall be bound together by some common interest, I venture to prophesy that no satisfactory conclusion will be arrived at. Mr Stafford knows his power and does uot hesitate to use it; he is perfectly well aware that he is the only man iv the House who has a chance of being accepted as its leader, and he marches straight ahead taking the utmost delight in annihilating his enemies, whilst at the same time, if it suits his convenience, He throws off his friends like a huntsman his pack, For he knows when he likes he can whistle them back. The session is, I think, likely to last for four or five weeks longer. Mr Yogel has hinted that he by no means considers himself conquered, and that he intends to join issue with the Government again at the earliest opportunity. Mr Reynolds also has stated his intention of moving an amendment to every item on the Estimates. Should he carry out his threats, the members of the House have as severe a punishment in store for them as the most revengeful man could possibly wish to see inflicted on his bitterest enemy, for the lugubrious manner in which that gentleman gives utterance to a whole string of 'airy nothings,' whenever he rises to speak, which he does on the slightest provocation, would try the patience of an Assembly of Jobs. A complimentary address to the Governor has been passed by the Legislative Council, and was on Saturday presented to him by the members of that body. I hear that his Excellency was much affected, not only by the mark of respect thus paid to him, but by the severance that was to take place between himself aud those who for so many years he had looked upon as sincere and valued friends. A similar address will be adopted and presented by the Lower House. Many important measures are being passed which are almost lost sight of while events of a more exciting nature are taking place. The Maori Representation Bill has, I; am sorry to say, passed through both Houses, and the Divorce Bill has met with the approval of the ' Lords,' and will shortly be sent down - to tbe Lower House, where, Thear, it will meet with strenuous opposition from one or two Roman Catholic -members; the majority however are decidedly in ; favbr "of it.