PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IX, Issue 2686, 6 September 1872, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

[Br OUB SPECIAL ESPOKTER.]

Wellington, August 28, 1872. Theee was a full attendance at the Bitting of the House, and the galleries, as usual, were crowded. After disposing of the formal business, Mr. Macandrew resumed the debate on Mr. Stafford's resolutions. He said he did not hope to throw much light oa the subject. He agreed with the resolution that the administering of public works and immigration had been raoro or lc3s unsatisfactory, but not more so than would have been the case if I Messrs. Stafford and Wood and their friends had been in office. The want of giving satisfaction was attributable to want of experience on the part of Ministers and the action of the House. Ministers wanted experience, and the country had already paid for it, but the House should not forget that if they went out of office the country must pay for the experience of their successors in money and loss of time. He thought it was a great blunder for the Government to undertake the practical administration of the public works and immigration policy. It would be impossible for any such scheme to be carried out successfully in New Zealand, except by local agency, owing to the physical configuration and geography of the country. No doubt the colony would bo compelled to pay for tlio " colonial experience" of the engineers brought out by the G-overnment: but they would ultimately acquire experience. He thought the work might have been cheaper done by local contractors than by the Messrs. Brogden. Doubtless they have been paid more than they should, but connection with such a firm would be a good thing for the country. What they were paid in excess of what they should have got would be more than returned by that firm introducing millions of capital to New Zealand. With regard to the second resolution, lie thought it was a very good thing that Ministers should travel through the country and ascertain really what its requirements were. He eulogised Mr. Vogel for his Melbourno negotiation, and said that " if it had been successful" it would have been a good thing for Victoria and New Zealand. With regard to tlio third resolution, ho thought the great, mistake was in not entrusting the Provincial Government with the practical carrying out ,of the colonising policy; but he would vote for the Government, because he did not think those who were likely to succeed them would do better. He proceeded to criticise the speech of Mr. Wood ; and, alluding to Mr. Creighton'a

speech, said he was prepared to accept the alternative of a wasteful and extravagant expenditure rather than civil war and an.irchy. A chaDge of Ministry meant a change of policy. This was met by loud cries of " No, 110." He proceeded to vindicate the appointment of immigration agents from Otago, and took all tlio blamo to himself. Messrs. Birch and Leaton were very good men ; but if the Angel Gabriel had been sent home, that proceeding would have been unpopular in Olago. He referred to the ingratitude of the Wellington members, and declared that in his opinion, tho Provincial Governments should be entrusted with the practical administration of the public works scheme. They would not think of men, but go in for principles. Speaking of the Messrs. Brogden, he said that when that firm had received contract,s to the amount of one million on the present plan, then the rest of the works would be let by public tender.

Mr. Wakefield followed. He entered into the history of colonisation, and went on to allude to the nature and origin of the Native difficulty, lie traced the career of Mr. McLean until 1860, when lie beeamo Native Minister. The Premier told the House they had peace, but in the same breath he showed them the sword of Damocles hanging suspended by a single hair over their heads. Mr. McLean was the cause of peace ; and the Premier hinted that there would probably be war if he left office, l'his was a delicate position in which to place the Native Minister. But it should not be forgotten that the Premier himself had not always been of the same opinion as the Native Minister. At one time he was in favour of upholding the power of the chiefs, at another ho sought to introduce the more republican form of runangas. It had beeu said that the member for Timaru was the author of the war policy. That was not so. lie took office in 1865, aTid found war on both coasts. Mr. Fox was in the Government which carried on that war. He left the country, and Mr. Stafford, by the aid of Mr. McLean, endeavoured to meet, the circumstances, and bring about peace. But they did not succeed until Mr. Fox returned, and then he went into opposition. The cause of the difference between Mr. Stafford and Mr. McLean was well known. Mr. Fox fought under tlie shield of the Native Minister; and ho had been taken up and patronised ■by Mr. McLean and Mr. Vogel. He was not the true leader of the Government. Mr. Wakefield next alluded to the Government policy, which lie condemned for its vagueness, inducing a disgraceful scramble on the Uoor of the House. He objected to a continuance of such a plan of carrying out the policy. He thonght there should be an equitable distribution of the loan, but failing that, he would support those who sought to amend the administration. That the scramble should extend from the system io the administration ■was intolerable. The Government had also lamentably failed iu the matter of immigration. Mr. Carrington, Superintendent of Turanaki, spoke a few words on the general question, but refrained from slating how he would vote. Mr. Bryec, ot' Wanganui, made a sensible speech, in the course of which he pointed out the great failure of the Government in carrying out public works in his own district. He regarded the paragraph in the statement of the Minister for Public Works, having reference to the West Coast district, as intended as a joke. Ho could understand it in no other possible way. It appeared that their administration in other districts had been no better, and he would therefore vote against Ministers.

Mr. Bluett, of Canterbury, next made his maiden speech. Great things wero cxpected from him. It was known that he was a Government supporter, having been recently returned pledged to vote for them. He had a great local reputation, and had an excellent training as a public speaker, having been a clergyman of the Church of England. But lie quite disappointed his friends and the House. His habit of thought and early training did not fit him for the political arena, and, though he spoke in a quiet gentlemanly way, he produced no effect on the House. He likewise appeared to bo unacquainted with the political history of tho and on that account, in all probability, it was that he made several serious mistakes both as to men and events. Still, Mr. Bluett is an acquisition to the House, and in time may make a very fair debater. But ho i 3 not a worker, I fear ; and without constant and unremitting a-ork a poli! ic-jiTi can never hope to make his mark. .Mr. ltolleston resumed the debate after a short adjournment for refreshment. Ho pointed out the impossibility of carrying out these works by the central Government without the co-operation of the local authorities. The only place where there was a single rag of results to cover the utter nakedness of the administration was iu Canterbury, where the Provincial Government, under tho control of the General Government, had completed several miles of railway. Mr. Kolleaton then went on to point out the loose manner in which the general administration was carried on. As a consequence of the continued absence of Ministers from the seat of Government, tho country had a departmental autocracy iustead of a Government responsible to the legislature. Another result of such habitual absence was the unconstitutional course taken by the individual Ministers of entoring into large contracts without the knowledge of their colleagues or the assent of the House. The action of the Colonial Treasurer in this particular was evidently unconstitutional. His opinion was that it was most unconstitutional for any man to hold the three offices of Colonial Treasurer. Commissioner of Telegraphs, and Postmaster-General—on the one hand, dealing with the revenues of the colony, and on the other entering into huge contracts absorbing these revenues. He then proceeded to denounce tho recent Brogden contracts, which involved a much larger expenditure than £1,000,000 sanctioned by the legislature, and

that without inviting public tender. He pointed out the fact, that in the first instance the colony wa9 bound to Messrs. Brogden by tho Colonial Treasurer's individual act without any warrant of law. He next alluded to the 5 per cent, commission to be paid to Messrs. Brogden for the purchase of iron and railway plant, the colony finding the money. This outlay was wholly unneessary, as they had an Agent-General in England to do this work. He next alluded to the contract with Shaw, Saville and Co., and said that the Government should encourage free competition, and not bind itself up to any simple firm. They wanted legislative and administrative reform, an adjustment of the finances of the colony, and a reform and reconstruction of the civil service. He drew a picture of tho members of the Government, and said that, with the simple exception of the Native Minister, not one of them possessed the qualities of great administrators. With his many brilliant qualities he thought the Colonial Treasurer was the greatest evil that had ever come on New Zealand.

Mr. jS. Ilichardson (Christohureh) followed. Ho defended the Government on the Brogden contracts, and declared, from his own experience, that the prices were fair and reasonable, and the terms highly in favour of tho colony. Mr. Johnston (Wairarapa) explained tho voLe ho was about to give against the Government, having bcon challenged to do so by tho Independent, on the ground that he had been returned to support the Ministry. He could not degrade either his constituents or himself by voting for wasteful expenditure and reckless and ruinous administration. He referred to tho failure of the Government in reference to the immigration, to the public works mismanagement, and analysed the Brogden contract No. 3in a masterly manner. No business man could have mado such a contract. It was so looie as to leave the Government in :Ylr. Brogdea'a hand, and they were entirely in his power. They found the money to buy rails and plant, and paid an engineer in England I.V per cent, to examine it; they ran all the risks, and gave Mr. Brogden 5 per cent on the amount of their own money expended for simply sitting in a room and seeing tenders opened. He had nothing else to do. What was tho reason tho Agent-General did not conduct this business without the intervention of Messrs. Brogden's firm ? It was well known that English mercantile houses bought goods in all parts of the world to order, and bore all tho expenses connected with the purchase for a commission of 2J per cent., and any commercial firm wouid have been glad to purchaso their railway plant, and havo it examined, allowing tho Government the advantage of all trado discount, for a commission of 2J- per cent. The San Francisco mail service was a miserablo failure. Ho tufcfc alluded to the Civil Service, which had grown intolerable ; and after referring to the conduct of tho Government in reference to the Wanganui bridge, remarked that it was clear to him that tho Government hurriedly entered into the contract with Mr. Brogden when the Assembly wa3 on the point of meeting, to sliow that they had done something. A change of administration was necessary, and he would vote against the Government.

Mr. Peacock (Canterbury) supported. Ministers. There was no point in his short speech deserving of comment.

The debate was adjourned oil the motion of Sir David Monro. Tho interest iu this day's debate was remarkably well sustained, although 110 Minister spoke. Two mmebers of the Executive had come to the front on Friday, and as they had only Mr. Yogel and Mr. Ormend left, it was not to be expected that they should put ono of them forward so early. Mr. Macaudrew might bo accepted almost as a member of the Government, seeing that he ha 9 had n dominating influence iu its councils ; but his speech was damnatory in the extreme. He roso to bless, and lo !he cursed them altogether. He condemned the results of their administration and its method in unmeasured terms ; he prophesied a succession of failures if the system of administration now in vogue bo continued ; ho admitted that the country had paid dearly for tho experience which Ministers wore acquiring, and would continue to pay as they were only ■' now beginning to know their workhe confessed that Messrs. Brogden had had their own way, and were receiving much more for their contract work than it could havo been executed for by responsible local contractors. He thought the provincial emigration agencies should be continued, as tho General Government interference had proved disastrous; but while he held all theso things to be true, and every count in the indictment proved, he would not voto for the resolutions. Give him reckless expenditure and incapacity, he said, rather than Messrs. Stafford, Gillies, and Wood—but especially Stafford. While ho cursed his friends heartily, be could not help his enemies; and like tho prophet of old, he cast in his lot with those whoso ultimate discomfiture lie foresaw, and like him, too, may possibly fall fighting iu their ranks. The speech of Mr. Wakefield, though long and not very well delivered, was well-con-sidered, and readers of Hansard, if such thero be, will find many passages in it worth perusal. Mr. Bryce was quiet and logical as usual, while the speeches of Messrs. Rolleston and Johnston exceeded tho best of their former efforts. Prom a constitutional point of view, Mr. Rolleston's speech deserved the palm ; from a business standard, Mr. Johnston's address is without a rival in tho House. This young gentleman, who has been brought up from infancy iu tho colony, is a man of high promise, and should he apply his mind to politics ,mu9t ultimately take a decided lead iu the administration of coloniul affairs. The Houso listened to him with attention, and both oides agreed that he hud damaged tho causo of Ministers, aud given a sufficient reason for defection from tho Ministerial camp. Of Mr. Bluett I havo already spoken. Mr. E. Richardson, as an expert, was listened to attentively when ho spoke of railway contracts, but his speech did not make much impression, partly because Ministers admitted that the contract prices were excessive, and partly from his own diffident and unobtrusivo manner. Mr. Richardson is a man of sound judgment and high character, and as such his opinions are entitled to consideration. Mr. Peacock added little to the common stock of information ; and once more the debato closed with the points all in favour of the Opposition. August 30.

Sir DuTid Monro resumed tho debate on Wednesday. He was greeted with loud cheers. He thought this debate would do good. It was well from time to time for the legislature to review tlie position of the country, and it was also well occasionally to te9t whether tho Government, ill a. constitutional point of view, had the confidence of the House. But this was more especially necessary in a country which, in proportion to its population, bore upon its shoulders tho largest public debt ia the world, aud which, in addition, was 11 on underfilling the administration of large public worts. He had no idea, until he listened to the ipeeclies during the debate, that the management of public utFuies were in such a muddle us they appeared to be. After alluding to tho violation of Parliamentary usage on the part of tho Colonial Treasurer, by coming down with his financial statement in the face of a vote of want of confidence, ho commented on tho still greater offence in tho same direction of the Native Minister, who made a statement of policy which, in the event of a change of Government, was calculated to embarrass the incoming Ministry. But there was one thing certain, that should a change of Government take place, no change would be made in the Native policy. The members of the Opposition were unanimous on that point. He then went on to criticise the scheme of 1870, and said that both Ministers and the legislature were guilty of a culpable nogligence in sanctioning such a large expenditure without the necessary dr.ta on whicU to form any correct opinion. This conduct stood in strong contrast with the procedure of the Victorian legislature, who acted as prudent business men when initiating their railway system. Sir David Monro showed how the Victorian Parliament had first determined what railways ahould be made, afterwards how they had accurate surveys made and estimates of cost prepared, and when that was done, went on the . market and borrowed the money. In New Zealand they had put the cart before the

horse. They had borrowed the money and contracted for the construct ion before accurate surveys and estimates had been prepared. Hence tho waste and muddle, which must continue until a change of system was adopted. But the Colonial Treasurer was unfitted to change the system. He proceeded to criticise the contracts with Messrs. Brogden, and said that we do not gain the advantages of dealing with a large contractor, because the colony buys the rails and plant, and the capitalist runs no risk whatever ; and we lose the advantage of the small contract system by not throwing the works open to local competition. He contended that the colony should obtain value for every sixpence it expended, and it would have obtained value in this case but for very gross mismanagement. So long as it could raise money on its credit, New Zealand should not be in the hands of any contractor. When the halcyon days come, which Mr. Fox expressed a hope would arrive, that New Zealand could not raise a sixpence on its credit, it would be time enough to hand the country over to one firm of contractors, but that time had not yet come, and he believed it was far distant. This was a question of administration, not of policy. The country had accepted tho colonising policy of the Government, and it waß for the legislature to see that the funds were proporly administered. Tho present executive were not fitted to administer this great policy with discretion and success, and he thorefore desired a change. Sir David Monro next alluded to the distribution of patronage by the Government, and condemned Ministers. He would voto for tho resolutions.

Mr. Luckie (Nelson) supported Ministers, and in a speech of considerable length, butwithout logical sequence, attempted to combat the arguments of Sir David Monro and Mr. Header Wood. He charaed Mr. Stafford

with being the cause of war, and stated that Sir David Monro, in a public conveyance, had said that ho trusted to God the natives would rise all over the North Island that an end could be made of them at once, or words to that effect. This charge Sir David Monro indignantly denied, and Mr. Luckie apologised. Now, seeing that it appeared more than on;o in the Nelson Colonist, and was repeated from Nelson platforms amidst the plaudits of admiring audiences, it does seem strange tbat Mr. Luckie should never have taken the trouble of enquiring from his neighbour, Sir David Monro, whether tho rumour was correct. But falsehood, although it may have a long and successful "run," is sure to be found out and exposed. In this case, Mr. Luckie was the victim of his own ardent disposition and abnormal credulity, and I hope the lesson may bo of U3e to him.

Mr. John White (Hokitika) followed in a humorous speech, in which he not only kept tho House in tho best possible humour, but assailed Mr. Fox and Mr. Vogel in a way which proved liim to be a master of sarcasm. His extracts from Mr. Fox's speeches, in 1869, when leading the Opposition, turning them against himself and his colleagues, were received by the House with appreciative cheers. It is impossible in a sketch of this character to ;;ivo an idea of this really remarkable and caustic speech, in which the inconsistencies of Ministers, their abuse of patronage, attempts to corrupt the Press by means of advertising, and their habit of crushing the provinces by " swooping down" and seizing upon their revenues without notico or rendering an account, wera brought out in a strong light. He pointed to the administrative failure of the Government on the West Coast, and said that he had not hoard ten men speak

in favor of Ministers on the West Const. Mr. White also strongly condemned, the New Zealand Press Association, which, ho said, had been formed by Cabinet Ministers for the purpose of giving a political bias to telegraphic nows. And such was in reality tho case, :is he proceeded to show by reading a series of telegrams. The whole of the sitting was afterwards occupied by Mr. Yogel, who far five hours and a half spoke to au attentive and sympathetic House. You have already received a telegraphic summary of his speech, but should you think proper to publish a fuller report, that in the Independent is a fair resume. The speech dealt with every point brought forward during the debate. It answered each in turn, and was a defence of the Brogden contracts and Sail Pnvucisco service. Mr. Vogel still believes in the efficiency and success of the lattor. With regard to the Brogden contracts, ho held thit Ministers had not exceeded their authority, and the terms were fair and reasonable, I'he Colonial Treasurer was peculiarly happy in his reply to Mr. Reader Wood, and Messrs. Stafford, Gillies, and Eollcston carao for rather rough handling. Taken as a whoie, the speech of the Colonial Treasurer was the only Ministerial utterance during the debate that commanded the least attention. It was a masterly performance, aud the House, feeling that the whole weight of the defence rested with Mr. Yogel, listened to him with attention, and at the close cheered him with enthusiasm. Personally, there is no more popular man in the Assembly than the Colonial Treasurer ; his social Qualities and kindly disposition make him a general favourite, and the errors of the Minister are forgotten when contemplating the genial character of tlio man. This was most marked when he defended himself against) the imputation of mercenary motives in taking office, and fighting to retain it. The House, without an exception, by its appreciative cheers, acquitted him, in its opinion, of the suspicion even of a sordid motive ;. and I entirely and fully endorse tho verdict of tho House. Mr. Yogel is a min (speaking of him in his public capacity) whose good qualities are in such striking contrast with his bad one3 —whose strong points are so fairly balauced by bis weak points —as to make it impossible sometimes to determine accurately whether censure or praise is his due. He is no common man, however; and he can fairly lay claim to being the most original thinker and the boldest Minister that ever held office in New Zealand, while he is at the same time the Minister, of all others, whom the country has most reason to fear. As it was well put in tho debate, " ho wants ballastand the Ministerial team does not furnish ballasting. I question very much if, among his colleagues, there is a man of sufficient grasp of mind to understand the brilliant, versatile genius of the Colonial Treasurer ; —who cau enter into his thoughts, and, following him through all his projects, moderate his extravagant conceptions, and help him to give form and symmetry to them. " The Treasurer wants ballast." He will be a political victim to the incapacity of his colleagues in the long run ; and New Zealand may yet regret his advent to power, when, under happier auspices, posterity might have had reason to revere his memory. August 31. Thursday's afternoon sitting and the whole of Friday from a quarter to threo till twenty minutes past nine was occupied by the Superintendent of Wellington, Mr. Fitzherbert,, in reply to the Colonial Treasurer and the Ministerial speeches generally. If I am unable to condense Mr. Yogel's speech of live and a half hours, what shall I do with Mr. Fitzherbert's nine hours' speech ? Not that I think there will be much difference in the speeches, counting the pages of tho Hansard, for the style is so different: Mr. Yogel's rapid aud continuous ; Mr. Fitzherbert slow, involved, and dramatic. The vetoran politician on this occasion made his greatest etTort; he put forth all his strength, and achieved a triumph such ae falls to tha lot of few men. Considering his spoech as an argument, it was faultless in its logic ; from an artistic point of view, it was the most finished performance I have ever witnessed. Mr. Fitzherbert is a consummate actor. Ho is a Bubtle and profound thinker ; a man of infinite resources, high moral qualities, aud personal courage ; —a man who thinks out his subject, aud does not fear to clothe his thoughts in proper language. " His great defect is his prolixity," I have hear 1 members say wWo have not studied him ; but to understand Mr. Fitzherbert, one must- study him closely. He never does anything without a motive ; never speaks from impulse ; n»ver ur.sses the point. And all these specialities were brought out conspicuously during the debate. His reply was crushing, and the effect on waverers was marked. The point he brought out on the Brogden contracts, invoWiug a forfeiture of £125,000, was a surprise on all aides, aud as it transpired later to be quite true, Mr. Brogden.

not in the least degree concealing it, the result may be imagined. But I have not time to pursue this subject in this communication, as the mail is about closing. Suffice it to say that in respect of administration and with regard to finance, Mr. Fitzherberfc absolutely demolished the Ministerial case.

Mr. Kelly i(Taranaki), Sir John Cracroft Wilson, and ■ Air. Thomas Henderson Bpoke, when the debate was adjourned till Tuesday. Tbei'e is great excitement in the lobbies. The Luna, with Mr. Maeandrew, was dispatched last night to bring up Mr. Tolmie, but returned to-day disabled. Chances of Ministerial defeat are Tery strong. The Government are resorting to every contrivance—some discreditable in the extreme—to influence votes. If, is time, in the interest of political moralitv, that a change of Government took place.