WELLINGTON POLITICAL GOSSIP. [from our own correspondent ] Wellington, June 11.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXVIII, Issue 49, 19 June 1869, Page 3

WELLINGTON POLITICAL GOSSIP. [from our own correspondent ] Wellington, June 11.

The members forming the Opposition have now, through Mr. Fox, thrown down tho gauntlet, and declared that they are able to substantiate the fact that the general proceedings of the Government have been such as to justify the House in withdrawing its confidence from it. It had for many days past been confidently anticipated that a notice ol some motion — not perhaps in the terms of the present one, but having tho samo effect, if carried — would have been given by some member claiming to be the mouthpiece of the Opposition. It is now understood that the principal reason for tho delay that has occurred has been the absence from Wellington of influential members of the party, who might not be willing to give in their adhesion to any steps that had been taken, without having first been allowed an opportunity of expressing their opinions upon what might be the most advisable course to take. It was very generally rumoured, especially in the South Island, for some little time before the opening of tho session, that an amendment would have been moved upon the Address in Reply, and that this was to bo done was, to my certain knowledge, the opinion of at. least 60ine of Mr. Fox's followers. Hence it was that the first week of the session was looked forward to as a period in which action would have been taken which would have resulted in a decisive vote as to whether or not the present Government were to continue in power. No such course, however, was taken, and the Address was almost allowed to pass in silence. Before the end of the week Mr. Stafford intimated his intention of bringing down measures at an early opportunity to enable tho Government to carry out its policy in regard to Defence, and for the settlement of the Native difficulty, regretting at the same time the absence of a large number of members, which would be the cause of v greater delay than the Government had anticipated. The Wellington, which arrived here on Tuesday, brought up from tho South several members, amongst whom may be especially mentioned Mr. Dillon Bell, Mr. Stevens, and Mr. Macandrcw, and no time was lost in determining upon an immediate trial of strength by tabling a direct motion of want of confidence. It was stated last week, and tho idea was no doubt fostered by the supporters of the Government, that there was a split amongst the members of tho Opposition, and that a large section had declined to follow Mr. Fox. Whatever grounds there may have been for this statement appear to have beeu of a trivial nature, and from tho action which has just been taken it must be considered that in case the Government meets with an adverse vote, and its members see fit to resign, the honourable member for Rangitikei will be called upon to form a new administration. It is not offering a very hazardous opinion to say that in all probability the Government will bo found iv a minority when the division is taken, and they appear to be quite prepared for this result, although some of their supporters affirm that they will have a majority of one. Against this prediction, on the other hand, it is but fair to state that tho Opposition members confidently reckon on a majority of eight. In this, as in most other matters where a difference of opinion exists, the truth will in all likelihood bo found between the two extreme?. For all tho purposes of party warfare, that is to say in regard to a distinct vote of confidence or no confidence, a majority of one or two against the reigning Ministry will necessitate a resignation, or a dissolution of Par' liament, just as much as a majority of ten, although tho equality or inequality of parties will materially influence Mr. Stafford in deciding which of the two courses he will adopt.. Taking it, then, as an almost admitted fact that the Government will be defeated, we are on the eve either of a change of Ministry, or of a dissolution, which latter would materially retard the business of the country until the opinion of the various constituencies throughout tho colony was obtained. It is most probable that Mr. Stafford will advise a dissolution, to which course, it is said, the Governor will offer no objection ,- and in that case Ministers will justly calculate upon the votes of the outlying districts, which are supposed, whether rightly or wrongly, to be unanimous iv the desire for local self-government. The impression which haa co generally obtained, that this is the last session of the present Parliament, is now found to be entirely erroneous, as it does not expire until March, 1871, so that, in the absence of a dissolution, there will be no general election until the middle of that year. It does seem extraordinary that the Government should have shared iv this belief, but the wording of one clause in his Excellency's opening speech certainly implies that they did so, and that they have only beeu undeceived sinco the session commenced. Mr. Reynolds has taken advantage of the very earliest opportunity to give notice of a motion, affirming the desirability of the ballot being adopted in General and Provincial elections. The honourable gentleman evidently labours under the idea that the advocacy of this system is the mission which Providence has designed him to perform. His motion in favour of this proposed innovation in the manner of conducting elections was rejected in the session of 1867; and last year he succeeded in carrying the Ballot Bill through tho House of Representatives, only to see it consigned to the waste paper basket in the Legislative Council. He possesses, in a large degree, the qualifications of perseverance and obstinacy, and these gifts, combiued with a full confidence in the doctrine he espouses, will no doubt support him through all the difficulties and " chaff" he will encounter before his desired object is attained. His bill is to come on for the second reading this afternoon. , Mr. Carleton, who styles himself the " father of the House," gives evidence of his senility by tabling a notice of motion to the elfccfc " that Bellamy's be abolished." That ho should make himself so ridiculous as to raise a debate on this subject, at a time especially when so many large and important questions will have to be decided which will require tho gravest and most ample consideration, cannot fail to be a matter of general surprise. It is more than probable that he wishes to please sundry Temperance Associations in tho North, whose good wishes he may desire to secure. The proceeding he has seen fit to take is the more reprehensible inasmuch as he knows perfectly well that he has not the smallest chance of carrying his motion. As Bellamy's is a favourite resort of a large number of honourable members during the prosy harangues of the member for the Bay of Islands, it is hinted that this is tho cause of his dislike to the institution ; but his egotism and powers of 6elf-ad illation are so largely developed, that we shall be probably told that he is impelled by his high-souled and chivalrous nature to break a lance against what he considers to bo a social and political grievance. He is absolutely eaten up with egotism, as any one can see for himself by perusing his speech on the motion for the appointment of a committee to consider Mr. Busby's land claims, a few sentences of which are really worth quoting. Ho said — He might say that vrhat little influence he had in the House had been gained by dealing fairly aud honestly with the House, and never taking any advantage. When he spoke on any question in the House ho did not consider himself us an advootite, but as one of a body of judges, which they really were. He took his own view of every subject, and acted upon it ; he never swerved oue jot or tittle lroni what he believed to be right, and wheu he held a different opiniou from this petitioner in regard to the construction of tho award, he came before the House aud said so. * * * * He knew not why it was, tut a great number of persons who had grievances were in the habit of coming to him, mid asking him to bring their case before the House. Why ho should be particularly selected it was impossible for him to say, uulesa it was generally supposed that ho was a rniin who ielt a sort of chivalrous indignation against wrong, whether done to gentle or simple— whether done to the great or small; that he would use his best endeavours to have it redressed. Whatever might bo the reason, the fact was that wheu a grievance was to be brought before the House, it was very commonly referred to him. On Tuesday several returns were ordered, on the motion of Mr. Fox, in reference to the action taken in Taranaki, in March and April last, by the Superintendent of that province, aud Mr. Parris, in refusing to allow a portion of the Colonial Force to co-operate with Colonel Whitmore, by which means it was almost certain that Tito Kowaru would have been captured. The production of correspondence relative to the appointment of Mr. H. R. Richmond, the Superintendent of Taranaki, as Government

Agent, and as Resident Magistrate, was also ordered. Some discussion took place on the propriety of the office ot Superintendent- being combined with that of Resident Alagistrate, the general opinion being that it was only desirable iii very exceptional cases. Mr. Vogel made allusion, in very bad taste, to the fact of so many members of the Richmond family holding offices of emolument, that it seemed ivs if it was an understood thing that they had a right to the "loaves and fishes," to use his own words, "going about New Zealand." Mr. Hall combated the insinuations of the honourable member, and stated that the family referred to had earned a right to j hold public offices in the colony, because they had shewn their ability to fill them. Mr. Fox could not let the mutter drop here, but took occasion in reply to say that "if the members of that family had been paid a million of money to stay away, it would have been a cheap bargain lor tho colony." When such a statement as this is made, one caunot help remembering that there are very many persons in the colony who could apply the very same argument to the political career ot Mr. Fox : — i •' Oh ! wad some power tho giftie gie us, To see ourselves as ithers see us 1" Copies of all correspondence that hud taken place between the Government and Mr. Parris, during the present year, were also ordered to be laid on the table, upon Mr. Fox's motion ; aud upon the motion of Mr. M'Lean, it was resolved that a return should be furnished showing the number of Europeans and friendly natives killed and wounded since the Ist of May, 1868, together with the ascertained number of the enemy killed or captured during the same period. When this return is laid on the table, it will probably bo found that the number of the enemy actually known to be killed is considerably less than that- of the Europeans and friendlies who have fallen on our side. In anticipation of the return, tho number killed and murdered on our side may be roughly stated at from 250 to 300 —certainly no inconsiderable loss. A long discussion took place on Wednesday, and again on Thursday, on Mr. Harrison's motion — " That a select committee be appoin'ed to consider the question of affording the encouragement of the Government, either by loan, guarantee, or otherwise, to the construction of permanent works for the supply of water on the gold-fields of the colony; such committee to have power to call for persons and papers. The committee to consist of Messrs. Uaughton, BarfF, Stevens, Bradshaw, Gallagher, Kenny, Curtis, and the mover." The necessity for something being done in the direction indicated was generally admitted, and t he principal difference of opinion aiose upon the manner in which the committee was proposed to be constituted. Ultimately, the names of Mr. O'Neill and Mr. Swan were added, so that the Thames Gold-fields might bo properly represented. The discussion which took place on tho motion for a. return of all arms belonging to the Colonial Government, and a statement of tho number at present ordered from England or Australia, illustrated Mr. Hall's remark, that so varied were the opinions on the subject, that no matter what kind of rifle had been procured by the Government — whether it were a Snider, a Spencer, a Terry, or a Henry — there would be at least half-a-dozen men in that House, who would get up aud asstrt that the particular weapon was of no value whatever. It was stated by the Government lhatoOOEniieldrifleshad been sent home to England for conversion, and that the Imperial Government had been applied to for 2,000 breechloaders. In connection with this subject, it may bo interesting to your readers to be informed that the barque King Oscar, which arrived here on Sunday from Newcastle, brought some 25 tons of ball cartridge, -which had been purchased from the New South Wales Government. If the old saying were true, that " every bullet has its billet," this stock of ammunition ought to represent a good deal of slaughter by the time it has been expended. A return has been ordered, on the motion of Major Ileaphy, of the amount expended for Defence purposes during the last twelve months, showing the amount of expenditure which had been unauthorised. It is supposed that this latter amount will represent a sum of from £50,000 to £80,000. Mr. Cruci'oft Wilson's resolutions, as to the employment of Ghoorkas in the prosecution of tho war, are set down on the Order Paper for to-day, but it is most likely that they will be postponed until the want of conu.lcnco motion is disposed of, a period of about a fortnight. Before this letter reaches you, you will have been in possession of the news which was received here by telegram from Napier yesterday. Another success has been obtained by the Uriweras, and the surrounding circumstances seem to indicate that very insufficient precautions were taken by the officer in charge of the small band, the greater number of whom were massacred, although in the absence of full particulars, it is not fair to give a decided opinion. The lives of nine of our countrymen have been sacrificed, and sad indeed as this is : it is unpleasant to know that 6O many revolvers, swords, horses, saddles and bridles, together with some 300 or 400 rounds of ammunition, have fallen into the hands of tho enemy. Tuesday, June 10. The debate which commences to-night will probably be one of the most important that we have had in the New Zealand Parliament for years. All the able speakers on both sides of the House will take part in tho " wordy warfare," and we shall also be treated to speeches from any number of those who are justly called tho lesser lights, who feel it to be their duty, no matter huw small their intellectual calibre, to give their opinions to society at large. 1 wonder what difference it would make as to the result of the motion, if Mr. Fox were to get up when it is called on, and say that, considering the critical state of the country, he could not think of taking up the time of the Houso by making a speech, and he would therefore content himself with moving " That this House has no confidence in the present Government," trusting that a division would be taken forthwith. As far as the number of votes for either party is concerned, there is no doubt that the debate itself will have no material effect. From all I can hear, it is very likely that the division will be a very close one— 39 to 36, or 38 to 37 — the larger number representing the Opposition ; although, in the fortnight which will intervene before the motion is decided upon, it is quite possible that influence may be brought to bear upon one or two unstable members, in which case the numbers will be reveraed, the Opposition being then in the minority. Mr. Cracroft Wilson postponed his motion, when it was called on, on Friday, for a week. Major Brown gave notice of the following amendment which he intended to move :—": — " That Mr. Cracroft Wilson, C.8., be recommended to tho Imperial Government, from his known ability, experience, and reputation, for the appointment of Imperial Commissioner, to carry out the following arrangements for the pacification of tho North Island : — 1 1. That a force consisting of one British regiment, with two regiments of Ghoovkas, under the command of an officer who has served with the Indian army, be placed at his disposal. 2. That so soon as tho rebellion in the Northern Island has, in the opinion of his Excellency in Council been thoroughly crushed, the cost of the campaign be ascertained iv such manner as shall be agreed upon. 3. That debentures for half a million, and bearing 4 per cent, interest from the year 1875, be proposed to her Majesty's Government as security for tho repayment of such cost.' " I hear that Mr. Wilson takes ifc as quite for granted that the substance, at any rate, of his motion will bo adopted as the only true basis upon which we can carry on operations for tho future, and that he is fully impressed with tho idea that he will be called upon to act as Commissioner to proceed to England and India, to make the necessary arrangements involved in tho establishment ot the new regime. To my mind his project will meet with but little support, that is to say his project in toto. It is the opinion of a great many that Ghoorkas would answer admirably for our style of warfare, and as far as their employment is concerned, it is possible that many members may think favourably of tho scheme; but it is, after all that can be said in its favour, a mere experiment, o.nd, ns Mr. Fitzherbert stated the other evening, " if there was one thing more than another 'which had been most unfortu-

nate for New Zealand, ib was that .it bad always been experimented on." Tho amendment, of which Mnjov Brown has given notice, looks, from the fulsome language in which it is ooudieH, us if it wus intended more as a practical joko than as a serious matter for discussion and adoption ; but ho is supposed to be perfectly sincere in the action he has taken. On Friday, Mr. Hall brought up an ad interim report of the 8 tea in Mail Service, which was agreed to by the House: — "That in the opinion ot this House the Government should make such temporary arrangement?, for a period not exceeding six months, as will provide for the continuance of the conveyance ot the English mails at the termination of the present contract. That, if practicable, such temporary arrangements should be lor a less period than six months." The Honourable thcex-Postmaster-Gencral stated, in explanation, that the rate would be higher than that which hud lately been paid, as the contract which had just expired was at the rate of £7,000 per annum, whilst the only tender that had been received now is at the rate of £11,000. A rather long debate took place upon Mr. Reynolds' Ballot 13ill, and, upon a division, its second reading was carried by thirty-seven votes to nineteen. It will most probably bg dealt witli very summarily in the Legislative Council. There does not appear to be any regular organization on the part of the Opposition, each member acting independently for himself, the only point upon which all are agreed being the displacement of the present Ministry at all hazards. The ultimate solution of the difficulty will not unlikely bo a coalition, even if Mr. Fox were to asbunie the administration of aifairs for a time, because, in the present evenly balanced state of parties, a Ministry formed from both bides of the House would stand the beßt chance of being in any degree permanent. Wednesday, June 16. Judged, aside from all party feeling, and in the light of his performances last session, the speech of Mr. Fox was far below what was confidently anticipated. To describe it in one sentence — it was a mere epitome of the proceedings taktn by the Government in connection with the outbreak on the East and West Cousts. A few binart sayinga scattered here and there, but there was none of that brilliancy which Mr. Fox has so often exhibited, and although there was v good deal of animation occasionally, the effect of this was destroyed by the utter lifelessness of the latter part of the speech. To my mind the fault consisted in this, that the speech was put together in a hurry, and delivered extempore, without any of that careful and elaborate prcpaiation which, was evidently bestowed upot. the motions which he brought before the House last year. He commenced by referring to the Government having continued to hold office through the casting vote of tho Speaker, last year; and declared that, although he was confident of the successful issue of his motion, he was not at all certain, judging from past experience, that it would result in driving Ministers from their seats, to which they clung with 6uch extraordinary tenacity. Like animals of a low organization, they were very hard to kill ; animals highly organized and fitted for high purposes were easily put out of the way; hue he was not at all sanguine that the Ministry would entitle themselves to be regarded as creatures of a high order. It had been hinted to him that he should have afforded them an opportunity of declaring what their policy had been m the past and was Jikcly to be in the future, but after the herculean efforts which had been made last session to obtain some insight into their intentions, he felt it would be folly to place himself and those who acted with him in the position of wasting the time of ihe House, only to find themselves in precisely the same position in which they started — absolutely without being able to pump any clear stream of information from the Government benches. Besides, it was not now a question of policy which the House was called upon to consider; it had to judge whether tho present deplorable condition of the country was iairly attributable to the acts of the Government, especially during the ,past year. Ho then recapitulated the events which had taken place since the campaign of General Cameron, and tho rapid march of General Chute by the back of Mount Egmont to Taranaki, the result of which had been to place the natives in subjection, to break down the power of the great tribes, and to leave to the Government the tusk of establishing peace upon a firm basis. That duty was one which required foresight, great energy, practical knowledge, and unlimited watchfulness, besides a full knowledge of the condition ot the colony and the manner in which colonization and tho native interests could best be interlaced. That delicate and important duty, on which the future of the colony turned, was performed in such a way as to lead directly to the disastrous events which have taken place ; for they turned their attention to mere political combinations, ready to sacrifice the interests of the country for the sake of retaining office, and allowed everything to drift without any check or control. After passing a high eulogium on Mr. M'Leau, he charged Ministers with deliberately setting him aside to make way for Mr. Whitaker for a mere political combination, thus sacrificing the chance of using Mr. M'Lean'a services — a chance which Providence had thrown in their way, and which might have been turned to such good account. The result was that the natives on the East Coast, instead of being united and assimilated to us, us they would have been if Mr. M'Lean had been allowed to carry out his plans, were in a highly dissatisfied and disorganized state, and became disaffected towards the Government, which they charged with having broken its pledges to them. That was one instance of their neglect. Again, the escape of the Chatham Island prisoners was an instance of mismanagement such as had never before in the history of mankind beeu displayed. Warning after warning had been addressed to the Government, but they were totally unheeded; and ifc was not long before they heard of the escape of those prisoners, by which the condition of the Eust Coast was imperilled. On the West Coußt an unfortunate conflict of authorities grew up between Colonel M'Donnell, who was located thero in command of a Brnall body of men to protect the settlers on tho confiscated lands, and Mr. Parris and Mr. Booth, the Civil Commissioners in the district. It was then that Tito Kowaru, who was keenly watching for an opportunity to seize the country he had been deprived of, commenced hostilities by stealing horses, through some of his young men. Among the horses "was one belonging to Mr. Booth, who by some gross blunder toot back the wrong horses, arrested the wrong men, and was obliged to release both. Tito then commenced the system of secret warfare, killing one person here and another there — Cahill and two others were murdered. Then came the unfortunate massacre at Turo Turo Mokai. TJpou this the Government took up the matter, and Colonel M'Donnell proceeded to Wellington to ask for reinforcements. LHere Mr. Fox quoted from Colonel M'Donnell'a pamphlet.] To show how little the honourable members on tho Government benches were prepared for the emergency, he need only recall to honourable members' minds the statement made by the Colonial Secretary last year, -when he was told over and over again that a crisis was at hand, " That not more than 250 men could be brought against us at any one place." Mr. M'Lean had said at the time that five times the number would be nearer the mark, and his prediction had been literally fulfilled. Then there was tho engagement at Ngutu-o-te-manu, to which M'Donnell had been forced by pressure from the Government, who insisted upon something being done to retrieve his position in the field, and strengthen their hands in the Assembly. He attacked that pah, against his own judgment and that of the officers acting under him, in a fatal hour and under unfavourable circumstances, with what result honourable members were all familiar. 'The places of the brae officers who fell on that occasion, and who were so well trained in the guerilla warfare of NewZealand, could not possibly be filled. That defeat was owing to the selfish ambition of a few men whose only desire was to retain office. Soon afterwards' Colonel M'Donnell was ordered to abandon the whole country north of thePatea River, and he immediately sent in his resignation, which was accepted, and £olouel Whitmore was sent up to

take his place. Reviewing in detail that officer's operations, he was bound to say that he did not possess the higher qualities of a commander which •would enable him to bring his undertakings to a Buodessful issue. No doubt he was a gallant, plucky, energetic, and zoalous officer, but in many instances his zeal was zeal without discretion. Whitmore' s defeat at Moturoa was owing, ho had no hesitation in' saying, to the want of the most ordinary kind of •weapons necessary for besieging even the smallest fort. Cohorn-inortars and howitzers were lying at Canterbury up to the 9th of November, and if Colonel Whitmore could have made use of them, it was a matter of absolute impossibility that Tito Kowaru could have escaped. Nukumaru and Weraroa, the keys' to the whole of the Waitotara and Upper Wanganui country, as well as to the coast-line, were garrisoned, held for a time and then abandoned, and the result was that the country between the Waitotara and Patea was destroyed. Tho honourable member then proceeded at great length to criticize the movements and operations of Colonel Whitmore, condemning the action taken by the Superintendent .of Taranaki in conjunction with Mr. Parris, which such a co-operation on the part of the forces as would have led to the capture or destruction of Tito Kowaru. Hp was bound to say that the fulsome language put into the Governor's Bpeech in reference to tho campaigns of Colonel Whitmore, was such as should not have been employed. He then spoke of tho proceedings of Messrs. Davis, Firth, and Preece, at the Waikalo, censuring them, and expressing a hope that they did not receive the countenance of tho Government. [Here Mr. Fox read a long and amusing letter, Bupposed to have been written by Tito Kowaru, but doubtless the composition of the honourable gentleman himself.] He had no doubt that brave actions had been performed upon the East Coast, but he would leave that portion of the subject to be dealt with by honourable members representing that part of the country. What was going to be done for the future ? Tito Kowaru was reinforcing himself and making preparations, was flushed with success, and would probably come down upon tho settlements on the coast. Was the same policy as that of the Government to be continued? He believed in the selfrolhknt policy if it were properly carried out ; that yas to say, the self-defence which consisted in those in all parts of the colony, north and south, taking up arms and combining for a great effort. It was altogether a sham to call the policy of tho Government a self-reliant one, it simply meant nothing at all. Something definite must bo done; anything rather than the miserable system of drifting, drifting, drifting. Ho concluded by a reference to the device of the Government to abolish provincial institutions, and hoped that their place would be supplied by something better than that proposed by the miserable Road Boards Bill. Mr. M'Lean seconded the motion. Mr. Stafford thought that the speech just delivered "would not sink into men's minds, and would have no weight with the country. The honourable member for Rangitikei had entirely failed to carry the House with him, and tho country would say with disappointment, mingled with disgust, " This is not the man." Judging from the honourable member's tone it appeared as if he was the man, above all others, of whose ability, energy, and wisdom, the country stood in need, and if he had not already been tried in the balance and found wanting, he might have conveyed that impression for a short time to a small portion of the House. Let them recall the time when the honourable gentleman was in power. He had then possessed unstinted means, besides the all but unanimous support of tho House. Those who had been his opponents for years, himself amongst the number, threw aside all differences and gave him every means, every possible chance of saving the country from a crisis far boyond the present one, but with what result? Ho travelled through tho country, attending runangas whioh would have no other effect than the destruction of tho Maori. Three millions of money were given to tho honourable member for the purpose of conquering a peace, but although the war was then confined to one part of the colony — never more than ninety miles from Auckland— his policy was altogether a failure, of ■which the colony was now feeling the effects. The honourable member exponded all the money, and, after burdening the colony with a financial difficulty, went away to the Sea of Galilee, leaving others to •work out a problem which he had disturbed, but not eolved. The present Government was in a position, in regard to the war, occupied by no previous Government. It had to encounter hostilities on each coast, besides watching with great anxiety the large body of natives at the Waikato, for fear of an outbreak, and all this with a falling revenue and little or no money. He gave his most unqualified denial, as he had done last session, to the statement that Mr. M'Lean had been superseded by Mr. Whitaker, as the agency of the latter never extended farther south than the Bay of Plenty. The honourable gentleman who now thought so highly of Mr. M'Lean, as the only man who could deal with the natives and save the country, accused him of having done all in his power to destroy the successful issue of the experiment which was being carried out for the pacification of the natives. In regard to Colonel M'Donnell, the Government, last session, instead of sacrificing him had sacrificed themselves, because they lost the votes of four members upon Mr. M'Lean's alarm resolutions, on account of refusing to throw that officer overboard. As the matter had been brought up, he denied absolutely that he had ever made use of the words imputed to him in Colonel M'Donnell's pamphlet — " the sooner the country is ruined, the bettor ; I don't care." It was too ridiculous to think that such a statement could be believed. He would leave his colleagues to go into the whole question as to the operations carried onf by that officer, and subsequently by Colonel Whilmore. The honourable member's remarks as to the escape of the Chatham Island prisoners showed an incomparable amount of audacity, for it was not the case that tho Government had been warned that those men were likely to escape. What was new in the honourable member's speech was not true, and what was true was not new. In reference to his statement last session, that only 250 men could be brought against us, it must be borne in mind that quasi-corroct reports stated Tito Kowaru's force to consist of only 180 men. The warnings spoken of as having been given in the session of 1867, by Mr. M'Lean, had never been given. It was easy to become a prophet after the fact. With regard to the want of provision for the Bafety of life and the protection of a district from ruin, he had no hesitation in saying that he should take the same course he had done, even with an experience of after events. Ho considered that Colonel Whitmore was deserving of the highest praise for his qualities as a commander, and tor the manner in which he speedily replaced disorganization among the forces by discipline. The honourable gentleman Lad altogether overlooked that officer's attack at Otapo, whon Tito and all his men had hastily deoamped leaving everything behind, so completely were they taken by surprise. Colonel Whitmoro had followed the enemy into his fastnesses, and driven back and dispersed him. The action takon at the Waikato recently by Messrs. Firth, Davis, and Preece, was entirely without the authority of the Government. If the Government had asked the Imperial Government for troops they would havo deserved censure, because they would have been acting in direct opposition to the expressed wish of the House. By the mail which had gone home in March last, he had addressed a list of questions to the Imperial Government, so that tho colony might know what the ultimatum was, and he had no objection to say that he believed the answer would bo " no," to every one of the requests. The navy had been used as far as it could have given any assistance, and although it had often beeu said that wo should have no more troops, nothing was ever said against taking advantago of the servico of any ships of war which might bo available. The operations carried on at Pipiriki and Opotiki, against the natives, by Mr. Weld, had been very successful, but as to what that gentleman would have done, had he remained in office, no ono could make any definite statement, as ho must have been guided entirely by circumstances. There was no doubt that the great struggle must be faced and fought out by the colony, unaided and alone. Whatever the result, it was

useless to look beyond the bounds of the colony for assistance. He condemned the cry of a section for separation because, forsooth, the two Islands were separated by Cook Strait. If such a course were taken, it would have the effect of ruining the South Island, because the whole debt of the colony would fall upon it, and no labour or capital would be imported. If the people of the South forced the North to become an involuntary bankrupt, they were taking the direct means to make themselves bankrupt. No part of the colony was so interested in the settlement of the native question as the South. There was no doubt that, in a few years, the North Island would be by far the richest part of Now Zealand, and would bear a large share of the burden of the colony. That was something for the colony to fight for, and to work up to. Besides the principle of sentiment and self-interest, it was the bounden duty of the South, as a matter of justice, to share the liabilities and dangers of the North, and not to repudiate the massacres at Poverty Bay, or White Cliffs, nor the necessity of fighting at Taupo, if need be, any more than tho people of Middlesex would refuse to assist Yorkshire for a similar purpose. In one shape or another, the South had most unmistakably got to pay. It might have been otherwise if the two Islands had been made separate colonies, but now there was no getting out of it. lie did not know where to find any able men capable of taking the reins of government, if he left office. If he thought the honourable gentleman would have the support of a fair working majority ho would resign at the earliest possible opportunity ; but as he felt no such assurance, and as he did not know what his policy was likely to be, he should not consider it necessary to-morrow to wait upon his Excellency and place his resignation in his hands. I think this is as fair a resume of the two speeches as could be given in haste. Mi*. Stafford became especially eloquent in that part of his speech which referred to the absolute impossibility of separation, and the necessity of the South bearing the burdens of the North. On the whole, his speech had a more telling effect upon the House than that of Mr. Fox. Thursday, Juno 17. Last night the debate, which had been adjourned on the motion of Major Heaphy, was resumod by that gentleman, who made a very powerful and amusing speech, directed of course against the Government, and unmercifully criticising them and their actions, individually and collectively. He was followed by several other speakers — Messrs. H. S. Harrison, Rich, Tareha, W. H. Harrison, and Graham — and the debate was adjourned till to-day, on the motion of Mr. Mervyn. The Lord Ashley, with the Governor and Dr. Pollen on board, arrived here from Auckland this morning.