THE NEW SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 791, 29 April 1887, Page 11

THE NEW SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

The appointment of a Speaker to the Legislative Council would at any time be fan event, but the appointment of the Hon G. M. Waterhouse |takes additional interest from the 'important part the new Speaker has played in colonial politics. Mr Waterhouse is the son of the late Rev J. Waterhouse, General Superintendent of Wesleyan Missions in Australia and Polynesia, and was bora in 1824. He was one of the members of the first elected representative assembly in South Australia In 1851 ; and in 1860 he became Chief Secretary, and subsequently Premier of South Australia. A few years later, however, Mr Waterhouse left that colony, and came to New Zealand, aud settled in this Colony. He had not been here more than a year' when he was appointed a member of the Legislative Council, in which Chamber he has held a seat ever since. In October of 1871 he occupied office without portfolio, and a year later he became Premier under circumstances which form, an interesting chapter in the history of New Zealand politics.ln September Sir Edward Stafford, succeeding the Fox-Vogel Government, had formed a Cabinet In which he was Prime Minister, which included Messrs (now Sir William) Fitzherbert, Sewell, Curtis, Gillies, ' and Reid. On the 4th of October Sir Julius (then Mr) Vogei moved a want of confidence vote, which was carried by 37 to 35. The division on tbis motion was a great surprise. Mr Vogel made a long speech, and the question was pressed to a division almost immediately, the mover warning S-r Edward Stafford that though,a division was pressed then, became a number of members of the Opposition were away, a similar motion could be made next week. However, there was no necessity for this, for, as ha 3 been said, the Government were defeated by two votes. Sir Edward Stafford thereupon re-ignod, and recommended Sir George Bowen, then Governor, to grant a dissolution. This his Excellency refused, and Mr Vogel, being sent for, formed a Ministry / as follows: Premier, G. M. Waterhouse ; Colonial Secretary, John Hall (then in the Legislative Council) ; Treasurer and Postmaster-General, Mr Vogel ; ISative Minister, Mr Donald McLean; Minister for Public Works, Mr Ormond; Commissioner of Customs, Mr Bathgate: Lands and Immigration, Mr O’Rorke (the present .Speaker of the Houoe) ; without portfolio, Mr Edward Richardson. Announcing the constitution of the Cabinet in the Legislative Council, Mr Waterhouse said: “1 may state, sir, that I hold this (the Premiership) without portfolio, and hon members who have heard the views that I have exprc~ed as regards the constitutional impropriety, in my opinion, of a Minister holding office, without portfolio, and also drawing Ministerial salary, will not be astonished to hear that the position I occupy is entirely without salary.^ With regard to Mr Richardsons position, it was arranged that that gentleman should take the portfolio of Public Works after the session, and this arrangement was subsequently carried out. In the recess, however, a number of changes took place in the personnel of the Cabinet. Mr Waterhouse retired in March, 1873, in consequence, it was generally understood, of difference of opinion with the Treasurer a 3 to the exercise of authority in the Cabinet. The Treasurer being at that time in Australia as a delegate to the Intercolonial Conference, Sir Win. Fox was persuaded to take office —at any r-te, until the return of Mr Vogel. When the latter gentleman came back, Sir. William resigned, aud :>Mru Vogel became Premier. Other changes were made in the Ministry, and Mr W. H. Reynolds became Commissioner of

Customs, and Dr Pollen Colonial Secretary. Since then Mr Waterhouse has not held office, hut he has continued to- take an able aud energetic part in the business of the Council.