PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume II, Issue 348, 23 December 1864, Page 5

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

THURSDAY, 22nd DECEMBER. The Speaker took the chair at 3 o'clock. Present —Messrs. Carleton, Buckland, Clieeseman, J. O'iS'eill, A. OMNeill, Foley, "Webster, Hlieuhun, Swanson, Gallaugher, and Coolalian. There were 110 petitions. THE customs' three-eighths. Mr. Kiyo asked the lion, tho Provincial Secretary Whether the three-eighths of the revenue to be derived from thejinc-reased Customs' tariff will be ava.ilablo for appropriation by the Provincial Council for tho years 1864 and 1865. lilr. (Jableton : I can answer the qnestion in the aflirmative. The Colonial Treasurer told us that one of the motives for raising the tariff was that the three-eighths of the Customs' might be available for the use of the province. He could not be certain of the three-eighths without that. Mr. Kikg said he would like to have an answer from the Government upon tho subject, for if a direct answer were not given, he would take other steps to obtain the information. Mr Caeleton said the General Government would no doubt be able to give the required information if the lion, gentleman chose that tho Superintendent should communicate with the General Government to obtain the information. No doubt that could be done.

rCWEK OF COUNCIL TO raise saiaiiies. Mr. jFolev asked tlie lion. member at the head of the Executive, If it is the intention of his honor the Superintendent to send down to this Council a reply to address No. 54 of last session. Mr. GauIETON said: The lion, gentleman was mistaken. I promised to bring down the answer the first sitting day after tho Christmas holidays, it wil be in the recollection of lion, members that tins session was for a special object, and, as the Superintendent had intimated in his address, no other business should be proceeded with. This would satisfactorily account for the matter not being brought down.

SIINISTEUTAX- BESPONSIBILITY. Mr Cadman asked the Provincial Secretary, If it is the'intention of hia honor the Superintendent to establish the principle of Ministerial responsibility in the conduct cf public affairs in the incentive <*oYcrninent of this province. , Sir. Cableton : I decline answering any question nut to me by the member for the Northern Division. A person who can break open a letter not addressed to him, and read it, lias placed himself without the pale of parliamentary courtesy. Mr. Coolauan reso to order. Read, read. Mr. Cabman : You shall not fence with my question in that way. COBBESPONDENCE BETWEEN" SPEAKER AND SbPERINTENIJEXT. The Speaxeb. laid on the table the correspondence between himself and the Superintendent, connected with the late meeting of the members of the ProvinmM?O CARLETO.v said he believed thero was one document' an enclosure, which ought to havo been sent dovfUj but which, would bo sent down*

TEESONAX, TMTUTATIONS. Mr. Cool&kan again roso to order.. Ho said that a grave charge had boon made against a member of that House. Ho thought that tho person who mado tho charge should bo compelled to state somothing more definitely. Mr. Cadm an : I fling back with scom and eontompt tho accusation mndo by the hon. membor. I will place tho whole of this matter in tho hands of my friends, and shall act as t may bo advisod. Tho hon. member -will not bo allowed to fenco questions in this maimer. PRIVATE 11ILLS. Mr. WYNN to move, on the next sitting day, That a respectful address bo presented to his Honor tho Superintendent, requesting him to forward to this Council, copies of all bills, including private bills, introduced into the General Assembly of Now Zealand, affecting tho province of Auckland only, aud by whom introduced. Carried. IIEI'LY to nis honor's address. Mr. Cheeseman said that as the torms of tho address wore known to hon. gentlemen, and the address itself did not admit ot any dobato, ho would contont himself with putting tho motion standing in his name. Mr. W. Buckiaki) seconded the motion. Tho following is the address:— " We, tho members of tho Provincial Council of tho provinco of Auckland, tender our thanks to your Honor for tho speech with which you havo opened this eighteenth session of tho council, and recognise | tho necessity that has led you to conveno us earlier than was anticipated. " We assure your Honor that wo will give our roady and anxious consideration to tho important matters referred to in your Honor's speoeh, and wo trust that our deliberations will result in the agreo- | ing to such measures us will conduce to the ad- ! vancement and prosperity of this portion of Now | Zealand." EMIGRATION BONDS.

Mr. Cuef.seman : Sir, I wish to ask a question of tho honorable gentleman at tho head of tho Executive in this Houso. I havo alroady informed tho honorable gentleman of my intontion to put this question, and ho has no objection to answer it. Tho question is this, whether tho late law officer, (Mr. Wynn) has in his possession anumbor of emigration bonds, representing a largo amount of money, and which he declines to givo up. Mr. Wynn : I will appeal to tho honorablo gentleman, the member for Parnell, to bring this matter before tho house in another form, as for instance, by

an address to his Honor the Superintendent. I merely appeal to thu honoiablo gentleman that ho would bring the matter boforo tho house in such a way as that it woidd not imply any roilection upon the person to whem it referred I ask this as a matter of good tasto and common fairness. Mr. Cueeseman : I regret I cannot accod o to the request of tho honoiablo gentleman. I am not in tho secrets of tho Government. I heard the statement from a gentleman in tho street. If a similar question were asked having reference toniyself,l could not object to the question being asked inthis council. If the answer should be such as I oxpect it, to be, and I believe no other auswor can bo given than tho ono I expect, I shall havo occasion to take some futuro steps myself towards tho clearing up this subject. Tho hon. gentleman ncod not- fear, ho shall have ample opportunity afforded him of having the whole subject brought boforo the House. Ido not feel disposed to withdraw the question. I will ask it if the Speaker rules that it is in order. ]Slr. Cam-etox said that if tho matter wero brought before the House upon a motion for address to tho Superintendent, it might not be assented to. Mr. W. Buckland said that what had fallen from Mr. Carleton was an imputation upon tho character of the House.

Tho SrEAKEii said this was something moro than a question asking for information. Tho answer that would bo given might affect a third party who had no notice. He thought such a person ought to havo duo notico.

Mr. SitBEnAN did not like to see an hon. member of that House playing second fiddle to tho Government.

Mr. Foley said Mr. Chceseman must havo been informed by tlio Government. Mr. Ciieesekan repeated that ho had boon informed in the street. He only put tho question for the purpose of ascertaining whether it was true. Mr. Coolajian complained that it must havo been a very loose Government indeed, to have its secrets going about tho streets. Alter some further discussion, Mr. Ciieeseiian withdrew tho question, giving notico that he would a=k it tho next sitting day. The subject then dropped. FUNKKAL OF A LATE MEMHEB. Mr. Coolauan moved that tho Houso do rise at half-past four o'clock for tho purposo of enabling hon. members to attend the funeral of Mr. Abraham Mears, formerly a member of the Provincial Council. The motion was put and carried unanimously. resolutions or separation, &c. Mr. Wi'NN moved the following resolutions: — '• 1. That this Council takes this occasion of again recording its often expressed and still continued feelings of fiiithl'ul loyalty to .tho Crown, and its unfeigned attachment to Her Majesty Queen Victoria's peraon and government. " 2. That this Council fully and cordially appreciates tho prompt and generous assistance rendered by tho Imperial Government to this colony in its time of need ; and that this Council, as the representatives and on behalf of tho Province of Auckland, records its full appreciation and deepest gratitude for such assistance so timely afforded.

" 3. That this Council again records its thanks for, and its cordial appreciation of, tho gallant and efficient service performed by Her Majesty's naval and land forces in New Zealand during tho present war. " 1. That the withdrawal (Jf Her Majesty's forces from tho colony before a permanent peace is established with tho Native race, would be fraught with the greatest peril to tho northern portion of tho colony aud would be considered by the Natives as an acknowledgment of our weakness and inability to subdue tliom.

" 5. That this Council, having been expressly convened for tho purposo of considering the present unsatisfactory and critical position of tho Province of Auckland, brought about by tho recent action of tho General Assembly in reference to the immediate removal of the seat of Government records its deliberate opinion thatinorder to sccuro and maintain a permanent peace with the native race in tho northern portion of the colony, and to preserve feelings of amity between tho two races, it is essential that an Executive Government should bo permanently placed in Auckland, situate as it is midway between tho two great sections of the Uative race.

" 6. That such contemplated removal of tho seat of Government and tho withdrawal of Her Majesty's forces leave no other course open to this province than to talco immediato and vigorous steps to effect political separation from the Southern Provinces. " 7. That, in the opinion of this Council, tho revenue of the Province of Auckland would afford ample means for the liberal support of :i Government suitable to its condition, and that there is every disposition in the inhabitants of this province to provide liberally for the maintenance of the public servants, and the economical administration of tho public offices of the colony.

" 8. That a committee should ho appointed to prepare an address to Her Majesty Queen Victoria, setting forth the present position of tho Province of Auckland, and praying her to acccdo to the wishes of tho people, and declare tho Provinco of Auckland a separato colon}'."

Ho said that in moving these resolutions he did so with mixed pleasuro and reluctance —reluctance that it had not fallen into abler hands to discharge the task devolving on him, and pleasure to have tho possession of the Houso for tho purposo of submitting sucli a series of resolutions. The tirst three resolutions might perhaps bo embodiod in one. In tho first was an expression of loyalty to tho Crown. Several times had that council expressed its fealty to tho Crown. In tho second resolution expressing its gratitude for tho assistance that had been rendered to the colony—the council only echoed what had been stated in the General Assembly, and tho Legislative Council. The withdrawal of the troops was well known had fallen through, but there was no doubt that the colonial Government whatever might have been the expressions th>y used, intended to withdraw the troops. 'I'he Home Government, would most certainly give serious attention to any such proposition, for if it were made, and they did not accede to it, they would have to support the troops at their own cost, which they had stated they would never do. Mr. Weld's speech beforo a largo meeting at Canterbury, showed his feelings, and when he amended his resolutions and got one of his own colleagues to proposo them, he stated that these amendment:; would have no cffect. Tt*e Council

■would thoroforo bo bound to accept their declarations as a measure of their intentions. As this question of separation had arisen, ho - (Mr. \Yy im) would bo oxcuscd for making a few observations upon tho policy of tho present head of tho Government, and tho Government itsolf. The Colonial Secretary had alluded to the bill for the suppression of rebellion, passed by tho Inst Ministry, as a blot upon tho statute-book. Ho had himself personally introduced a measure of severer character, the '* Native Offenders Bill." Mr. Fitzherbcrt had himself opposed the hon. gentleman at tho head of the Government, but they wero now together. What did that mean but the despoiling of Auckland ? What had tho War Minister done as a politician to entitle liim to a seat in the Executive ? it. was for no other purposo than tho despoiling of Auckland. Ho would Bay a word as to what Auckland should do. Ho had hoard it said that tho provinco should decline to send any members to Wellington. That would be a dangerous couruo—it would bo childish. Tho question was, if Auckland would send fifteen membors to tho House of Representatives, united on all great questions, no Government could long resist them. Wellington had obtained her position by means of having nine members banded together on nil great questions. This cohosion it was which had gained their ond. It was said there was a lack of mon of ability in Auckland, and thorefore they had been unable to succeed in their efforts. Tho real causo of failure was disunion—a want of unity. What would bo tho consoquenee if Auckland wero not represented at Wellington ? There would bo a new Representation Act; the membors for other provinces would bo increased, and Auckland would be left less ablo than at present to encountor tho proceedings of her enemies. It would bo most dangerous to adopt this proceeding. They should, on the contrary, stand to tho fight. Thero had a large number of Government imuiigrants arrived.

A Voick : T'hreo hundred and fifty have como in to-day.

Mr. Wynn: Tho question now arose who was to bo responsible for tho state of things likely to ariso. Tho Govornor, tho Government, the officers of Government, wero going away. It seemed to be unnecessary to have a General Government. Ho (Mr. Wynn) agreed with Mr. Busby that a General Government was wanted only on account of the uativo races. There was no uso in a government which lind gono down to tho South. If there were a Government of Auckland proper there would bo no necessity for Provincial institutions. One Government and Council would answer all the purposes, and obviate evils and delays at present complained of. He thought there would bo a serious consideration arise in tho minds of tho advisers of her Majesty. "If Auckland is to bo governed by herself," they would ask " what is to become of Napier, Taranaki, Wanganui. Was there to bo a separato Government for every plucc where natives resided, or wero likely to prove troublesome" This was a question which should not be permitted to arise. He (Mr. Wynn) thought that there should boa wide margin —that the question should be entirely open—so as to comprise the wliolo of tho Northern Island. Ho was afraid he was wearying tho House, seeing it was tho wish of hon. gentlemen to attend the funeral of a Into member of that House. He begged theroforo to move the resolutions. Sir. Newman said that ho should like to make some observations in support of theso resolutions. A discussion hero arose as to the advisability of adiourning the Houso without having completed the business. Mr. Wvxs said to do so would have an injurious cffect, and woidd therefore bo injudicious.. Ho thought that a committeo should be at once appointed and the debato could bo renewed to-morrow. The hon. gentleman moved that the following gentlemen form tho committee to draw up a petition to her Majesty the Queen, in accordanco with tho resolutions passed by tho Council—Messrs- Buclcland, James O'Neill, Cadnian, Coolalian, Swainson, Shechan, and the mover. It was intimated that as it hod been considered desirable that tho petition Bhould emanato from tho i Council Bolclv, tho name of tho hon. gentleman representing the Government was omitted. Tho Council adjourned at twenty minutes to 3 o'clock this day.