WELLINGTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 919, 10 July 1869, Page 6

WELLINGTON.

(prom ottr own correspondent.)

June 29th.

The great debate came to a rather sudden and somewhat inglorious conclusion on Thursday evening ; but no one was very sorry when it did so. The House was thoroughly tired of the combat;, and for the last two or three days it had been insufferably tedious, dragging along at the rate of a couple of speeches a night. ' The week was commenced by Mr Ormond, who made the longest Bpeech of the session — one which lasted upwards of three hours. It was a carefully prepared speech, and a most damaging ono to the Government ; although there was apparent throughout a feeling^ of strong personal pique and animosity, which somewhat detracted from the effect. Mr Ormond was followed by Colonel Haultain, who is probably one of the worst speakers in the House. Every word he utters w brought out under high pressure ; his sentences lack connection, and he always pauses bo long between each that you get tired of waiting. He spoke for about two honrs ; and allowing for the unfortunate manner of its delivery, his speech was a very fair one. His reply to, and exposure of, most of the amateur military oviticiams on the other side were excellent;, and his defence of Col. Whitinore was generous and sincere. There was also & good deal of real dignity in his allusion and reply to the charges of personal iucompetency brought against himself. No one who heard him could doubt the genuine honesty and anxious desire to acb rightly of the Bpcaker, and whon he sat down, ho waa loudly cheered from both sides of the House. The adjournment waa moved by Mr Carloton, who on the following night made a long, clever speech, in moving, as an amendment, that proposals for mooting present difficulties should have preceded any question of personal confidence. Mr I Carleton did sot ac all spare the Ministry in I his remarks, but it was ovident from tho I first, that at that stage of tho debate, his amendment had no chance. It was seconded by Mr Ludlara, who always makes a long sessional speech on the constitutional hiatory of the colony from tho earliest period to the i present time. He is a plain sensible man, but decidedly ono of tho most unpleasant inon in tho House to lfsfcon to. On seconding tho amendment!, ho spoke for upwarda of an hour, Riving ua a portion of the usual speech. Had ho beon content with merely «econ«iintt tbo amendment, it waa understood that Mr Fitzhorbort waß goirnr to speak, but ho was too wUo to do so at tho'late hour at whioh Mr Borlaso conoludod, so the fiold waa left open to Mr Farnoll, a new Auckland member, who mado a rather namby-pamby little speech, abounding with historical parallols whioh ho rocited to the hnuso in a manner more oreditable to his reading and noholarship, than to his discretion in using them at such a timo in atioh a place His apecch, howevor. wan decidedly a good fint appear »oco. Ho announced that ho had boon returned on a distinct pledge to turn out tho Stafford Government, but that plodgo fulfilled, he ol aimed full right aftor hear* ing tho poHoy of each side to chooao which ai<lo ho would permanently vote with. Mr Jollio camo next with a short but clovor spooi h, in whioh ho endoavourod toroonlltho Houjo from personal abusa to a calm consideration of tho roal questions at stake, the position of tho colony, and tho means, especially tho financial means, nooeaiary to extrioate it from >t« present difficulties. Mr Jollio was listened to mewt attentively, ai iodeed ho always is, for ho never descends to pononftUties, never allows himself to bo oarricd away by partir.nn»hip, ondnovornacsolaptrap. Hit speech was really ono of tho most sonsiblf of the debate, and wm in marked oontrast to tho one whioh followed it Mr Borlaao nottinc on W» toot was tho signal for ataajority of tho members and «pceta*oni putting on their hat« and floing homo. Whothor annoyed at this or for «omo other rowMm, I know not, but Mr Borlaie prooeeded to pour forth a torrent of abuw on th« cfevotod.

heads 1 of ? .Ministers. Mr Hall especially oame- ur der~the' ; baifl s 'of'his "dißple|!slire. ana was spoksnof as> a twopenny post-boy from St. Martffl's-le-Grancl ' When" Mr Borl'ase had finished ' his fortunately rather short npeeoh/ Mr John Williamson the Superintendent of Auckland, moved the adjournment, and the notices of motion on the paper being very few for a tbe following day, he was called on to resume the debate soon after the House met, at three o'olook. He did not make a very lonu speech; but . he very vigorously denounced further, waste of money in carrying on a war. when past experience proved it. hopeless for us to think of subjugating the Maori race by force. He declared that even if the South refused to give any moro money for war purposes, the North would not leave it ; but this statement did not seem to meet with the consideration or assent of the other Northern members. Mr Williamson, however, went on to advocate the civilising the Maoris by gentle means, and the opening up of the country by means of roads, hinting that the South would have to find money for this, bat that tbe consequent development of the lesources of the North would in time indirectly repay the expenditure by relieving the South from its present very large proportion of the burdens of the colony. Mr Williamson's whole policy was, apparently, to' conciliate instead of coercing the Maoris ; but the House listened very coldly to this proposal, the general feeling evidently being that the sugar and blanket policy had been sufficiently tried in times past, and proved a failure. After Mr Williamson sat down, there was a long pause, and it was not until the Speaker had called on Mr Fox to reply that Mr Kelly, of Taranaki, rose and spoke in favour of the amendment. He deprecated the employment of Imperial troops on account of what he had see nin years gone by in his own province, and he strongly supported the present scheme of following the rebels into their fastnesses. Aftor speaking for about 10 minutes Mr Kelly sat down, and there was another long pause. The House was almost empty, and Mr Hall was the only occupant ©f the Ministerial Benches. The Speaker asked two or three times whether anyone wished to address the House, and no one responding called on Mr Fox to reply. That gentleman at once sprang to his feet, and as Boon as he did co the whips disappeared from the House, and messengers and cabs were despatched in all directions to call the forces together for the final struggle. Mr Fox began splendidly, and in a- masterly manner contrasted the conduct of the Ministers in now denouncing him as unfit to hold office on account of his antecedents, with their offers of a sent in the Government as Boon as ever he returned from home. He deolared he had, within 24 hours after landing, rereived a long letter from Mr Hall, urging him to desert his own party, and offering a seat in the Ministry; »nd within 48 hours, tho offor had been repeated personally by Mr Stafford. In glowing terms Mr Fox denounced the way in which, since he refused these offers, these gentlemen had spoken of him, and he declared that there was no man in the House whom they would be so glad to see sitting on tho Government Benches as himself, if only he would consent to sit beside them. This statement being known to be porfectly true, wnß received with immense cheers. After having replied to the principal pointo in the speeches of Mr Stafford and Mr Curtis, Mr Fox was about doing the same in regard to Mr Hall's remarks, when Mr Bell and Mr M'Lean camo up to him and spoke in a low tone for a few seconds. He then turned round andsaidth&t. disappointing nsit was not to answer the other ministerial speeches, he had no doubt the Houso was tired of the debato, and he would therefore aay no moro, in order that the division might bo taken bofore the hour for tho usual dinner adjournment arrived. Amidst great cheers he sat down, and Mr Carleton's amendment was put, and negatived on tho voices. Mr Stafford colling for a division, but afterwards withdrawing the demand. On tho quoktion of No Confidence tbo B ouso divided, and you already know the result. For some days it was porfectly well kuown that there would be a large majority against tho Govornment, but few expected such a largo one mH. Tho result was received with cheors, but not such loud on^s as tho result of tho division last year, wh'-n tho Governmant was saved by tho 'Spfnker's voto, for thon both pnrtics choorod, esteeming it a victery. This time only tho majority choarcd. Tho Homo at onco adjourned, and there was acme speculation at to the courto Miuintors would Uko. Tho general opinion wait, that in f»co of tuoh a defeat, they mmt resign ; and in tho couroo of tho following forenoon it was known, soni-offioially, that they Intended to do so. About two o'clock, Captnin Pitt tho Governor's Aide-de-camp, wns observed to come- ovor to tbo Houso and return to Government Houso accompanied by Mr Fox : »o every one know that tho latter pontlcmnn had t con sent for. Long boforo throo o'olook, thoro wns a groat crowd out•ido tho door of tho Strangers' Gallery, whioh it never opened tilt after prayers. Every available* spot of hoaripg ground was occupied, and tho Homo being opened' Mr SUflbrd roio, and in a fow words announced that tho Governmenk had resigned, and only hold office till tbo appointment of aucoeisor*. Ho alco added a fow words of acknowledgement of tho frank and cordial relations which had exiitwl between tho Governor and tho Minfitry nine* Sir Qoorgo Bowcn'i Mnumption of office Mr Fox roto next, and •tatod that ho had been aont for, and had undertaken tho Uik of forming a Minittry, adding that tho tormi in whioh Hi* Exotllonoy had expmwd Wmtdf,

removed •ny difflderioe he might otherwise shßve*s hßve* felt; This 'wT» atf'bnce interpreted, and X, believe^ rightly, interpreted, „jb©> meaftthat the Governor had promised him a dissolution in ,the (event .of his beiw? 'unable to command ihe support of, the, House. The House then adjourned till today. .Saturday was spent in negboiations^ and all kinds of rumours were in circulation. The Omeo, -with M* Hbworth/Mr Travers, and MnTanored on » oard, arrived early in the morning,' and it was thought that Mr Tancred was a very likely man to join the Ministry. It soon became known that Mr ft. CV Stevens positively refused, and that he was supported in this by Mr Itolleston and the other middle parky men. On Monday morning it wns was stated authoritatively that Mr Tanored had also refused. Great efforts were made to induce Mr Bell and Dr Featherston to take office, but they could not be induced to consent at once ; anci at last a Mmißtry was formed of three members only— Mr Fox, Mr Vogel, and Mr MLean. and these three were sworn in during the afternoon. This does not look very well for the chances of permanency. As yet there is no representative of Government in the Upper House, but it is thought likely that the Hon. John Johnston will be the man. It is also considered more than probable that Mr Bell and Dr Featherston will ultimately consent to take Beats in the Ministry, without portfolios, and Mr Williamson will very likely be Ee*ident Minister at Auokland. The general opinion, however, is that this Ministry will not last. The middle party view it with littlo if any more favour than they regarded the late Ministry, and they were neither join it, nor promise to support it. Of course, nothing is known with certainty as to what the real policy of the now Government will be, but it is presumed, and witb reason, that it will be at least deeply tinged with the policy enunciated last session by Mr M 'Lean, and supported by Messrs Fox and Vogel— the subßidising the four North Island Superintendents to keep peace within their own provinces, and coupled with this will be the employment of Imperial troopß instead of local ones— that is, if the former can be pot, and acting on the defensive until the question is settled. If such is anything like a. correct sketch of the policy it will command very little support in the House. In any event a loan is sure to be aeked for, and such a request will of itself be tho signal for defeat. The middle party holdo the balance, and neither of the two great sides can command a working majority without thoir BupSort. The supporters of the late Ministry aye had a meeting, and have unanimously agreed to act and vote together as one man, under the leadership of Mr Stafford. At the same time their opposition is not to be of a factious character. With a firm united Opposition, and. a strong Cave of Adullam, it is almost hopeless for any Government to hope to carry on business at a crisis like the present, and every day strengthens the belief that a coalition must, sooner or later, probably very soon, ensue, or there will be a dead-look. Mr Fox may dissolve if defeated, but I don't think he will, and for the same reasons (wbioh prevented Mr Stafford doing so. Fresh elections would to a certainty strengthen the midd'e party from Canterbury, and a largo num* cr of members on both sideß would have no chance of reelection. For instance, where would Mr Vogel look for a seat. He would scarcely be likely to get one in your province, and he has not been connected long enough with Auckland to get one there. Ho is not likely therefore to t-e very anxious for a dissolution if one can possibly to avoided. Today we will no doubt hear in what way Mr Fox is likely to strengthen his parly. If better men oannot be got, Messrs Heapby and Cargill aro Bpoken of as probablo additions. There is not likely to bo any business done for a week or so yet, and Mr Fox will probably ask for an adjournment of » few days to ennr-Io him to prepare bnsinew. The {Speaker has returned to Neleon for ten days, on private business, and this looks very like a short adjournment. Ono «f the first thirgs Mr Fox will have to consider will bo tho disposal of tho rebel prisoners »t "Wanganui, and he is already committed to strong meanures in regard to them, that is, if, »o » Minister, ho acts on tho sentiments oxpronsed while in opposition.

June 30th.

Tho Government supporters had a meeting yoaterday morning, the result of which was that an outline policy wns agreed on. and declared by Mr Fox when tho House mot. Tho Adullamitcs, or middlo men, did not, I boliovo, attend tho Government meeting, and will not in any way plcdgo themselves as to their future course, jyir For, Mr Vorql, and Mr M'Lean occupiod tho Government feenohes when the Houto met, Mr Stafford sitting on the soat ho used to occupy as loader of tho Opposition in Mr Wold's time, and tho other members of the lato Government sitting in various parts of tho House. Mr Stafford's first action, as leader of tho Opposition, was to prcsont petitions from the Borough Council of Timaru, thn Levels Road Board, and 000 electors of Timaru and Gladstone, praying for tbo erection of thoso districts into a county, with ontiro separation from Cantorbury. Mr Jollio immediately afterwards presented a similar p« ition from tho Timaru and Gladstono Board of Works. Thn four petitions -woro motived. Aftor sotno other formal buainoaa had boon tranaaotcd, and Mr Carleton as Acting Speaker had, under spcoial commission from tho Governor, sworn in Mr Howorth as momb«r (or Taiori, tho Rouse waited anxiously (or tho oxpeotad Ministerial ttatomoat

t ' Mr Fox, ( on, rising, said, his; first ,du.ty,W to account for the fact that the. whole of the seats^n* those benohes were not occupied, and the reasons which had made it expedient for him to enter on the duties, of, office before hia Ministry was completely formed. In the iirsfc place. then,fsuch a course was not by any means unusual, and the Housewould no doubt remember many similar cases, but he admit--ted it would have been more consonant with his own feelings, and those of his so ! leagues, had he been able to come into office with a Cabinet fully formed. However, on Sunday morning, some very important telegrams had been received, which contained very alarming information, and demanded action of a prompt character, and involving such an amount of responsibility aa was not likely to be assumed by the retiring Government. To enable the critical state of the country to be properly and promptly met, it therefore became necessary that he and those who had consented to join him should at once take office, and they had done so. The time bad been so short, and the weather had been bo bad Bince, that he had not been able to complete those negotiations which were necessary, before gentlemen whom it was desirable should join the Government, could consider their position and give a definite reply. Personal illness on his own part had also prevented the advancement of these negotiations, and he trusted, therefore, that the House would extend its usual indulgence to him, and he felt sure that if allowed a reasonable time, he would be able to fill the present vacancies with gentlemen possessing the confidence of the House and of His Excellenoy. He would, in » few words, explain the principles of the policy which the Government intended to carry out ; and, in the first place, would refer to the question of war and the defence of the colony. As far as the Government had yet been able to obtain an insight into the state of affairs, they had been absolutely dismayed at finding the extensive nature of the operations in which the colony was involved — the way in which it was committed to general hostilities against the natives, and the enormous cost of the present force employed. Many of the expeditions now on foot were attended with imminent danger to the forces engaged, and might involve the colony in difficulties which it would be impossible for it to face. As far as possible, the Government intended to retire from an nggre3sive position, and reduce by a very large amount the present force now employed, and in like manner reduce the cost of the force. They did not intend to turn their backs on the enemy, nor to give up an acre of territory which was ours by confiscation or otherwise ; but ho wou'd not cay that they would continue to occupy every outsettlement. They might have to abandon some for a time, but generally their action would be defensive and not aggressive, and they would, by every means, endeavour to avoid being forced into war with th<* king party. The Governim-nt did not all sympathise with the idea of a Colonial standing army, and they would try all they could to demilitarise our force, and to give it the character of a police rather than a military force. Tt was necessary to have some force, but they view clearly that the tendency of a large force was to demoralise the men, and that a small force micht do what was required, mucb more efficiently and much cheaper than a large one. It was alsotheir intention, aB thiß waa a cardinal point of policy, to ask assistance from the home Government in the shape of men. They would retain the 18th Regiment, of course pay Buoh a aum as might be agreed on for it, and they would also try to get from home another regiment bo organised by ■pedal enlistment, selection of officers, special arrangements as to pay and pettlement, nnd other things, pb to bo peculiarly euitad for their work. In fact, a Now Zealand regiment, suited to the circumstances of the colony. As to finanoial matters, his hon. colleague had not had much time to make himself acquainted with the position of matters, or to mastor tho actual position of the the colony as to liability for past debts. Ao a penoral prinoiplo, however, he might any that the Government wan agreed that any oxpenrtitnro for war or defence should be borne by tho colony aa a whole, but aa it was likely that considerable expenditure might be neotSßary in the North Island in making roads and opening un tho countryexpenditure of a permanent, if not reprodnctivo kind— they thought that if tho ordinary revenue could not boar such oalls xnonoy should bo riiißod >>y loan, but the burden should bo borne by the North Island alone. Tho colony, no a whole, would have to pledge its credit to raiso tho money, but an Imperial Aot might bo obtained to mnke tho North Island rcsponnible to tho Middle ono. On financial, as on othor matter*, tho Government would give tho Housotho fullest possible information, and deal with it with tho utmost candour. Thoro was ono other subject on whioh he had to Bay a few word*, and that was, ronarding organic Constitu. tionsl changes. Tho Government had no in. tention of bnincr a party to any suoh changes until tho opinion of the country had boon taken by moans of a general election. As regarded provincial institutions, tho attitude of the Government towards them would bo of a friendly and encouraging character, but it would not take on its shoulders tho burden of their affairs if they woro not ablo to carry thorn on thomiolvos. Tho Government would rcnclor them the moat oordial asaistanco in fulfilling their functions, but it could not do moro. If, however, any provinoo beoamo absolutely inoapablo of atanding alone, and so booatno in danger of proving a bunion and difgraoo to tho colony, tho Go*

rernment , .would „,with ...the aid of the Howe take steps to rescue it from suoh a painful and injurious position. He trusted, however, that kind considerate treatment would render such a thing unnecessary. In regard to Native aftairs ho might say that while the Ministry would be no party to any actions of a barbarous, savage character, unworthy of the civilization of the age, they would suffer no interference - from without to prevent their dealing promptly and decisively with the rebels. He still thought the ordinary law of the realm afforded the means of doing this, but if it was found not to do so, a special bill would be brought in to establish tri unals with retrospective jurisdiction, and capable of dealing promptly and summarily with the cases brought before it, and of inflicting such an amount of punishment as would do real justice. Mr Fox then sat down amidst cheers. Mr Stafford at once rose, and asked whether the Hon. Native Minister had resigned the office of Superintendent of Hawke'e Bay. Mr Fox replied that Mr M'Lean had not yet done so, but that ho was prepared to do so at the end of the session. A number of bills under the care of private members were then advanced | a stage, and the House adjourned. Mr ; Fox did not seem at all happy while spsaking, his delivery being forced and almost unnatural. The House listened with great attention but very coldly, and significant glances were exchanged in all directions. Bare as the outline of policy is. it is not at all a satisfactory revelation to the House, and does not Beemto please any party. There was a great deal of hostile criticism even amongst trie Government supporters afterwards. The sketch is evidently framed with a view to reconcile perfectly irreconcileable elements. Concessions are made in all points with the view of obtaining Bupport, yet each party thinks that greater concessions should have been made to it, and like all compromises, Mr Fox's policy is not likely to meet with approval from either side. The opponents of Provincialism are of course against him. Its supporters don't think his support goes far enough. The self-reliant party are disgusted at the project of a&king men from home. Many who would like troops if we could get them, object to a policy built on such »n uncertain foundation as the chance of jetting troops. The North Island men don't like the idea of bearing the sole cost of opening the country, by military roads, &c; while the South Island men object to bear a share of the purely military expenditure, to having to pledge their creditforaloanfor other purposes. and to trusting to the chances of on Imperial Act, and the pacification of the North, for adjustment of the debt between the two ißlands, and relief from the liability jni..t]y incurred to the foreign capitalist. Those- wno are in favour of a vigorous prosecution of the war, and the pursuit of the enemy into their fastnesses, are disgusted at the abandonment of all offensive operations, and our act in» simply on the defensive. Those who >>ie in favour of a purely defensive attitude olijcct to the employment, at a vast expense, of Imperial troops simply to defend us. 1 hnse who are infavourof the surrender of theconfi?c.itccl lands, say Mr Fox does not go far'enon.uh ia this direction ; whilo others exclaim loudly apainst the proposal to even temporarily abandon ft single acre, as likely to ouonrngG the enemy, and lead to fnrther ni:t»n-HBions on their part. There aro secii'ms of tho House holding all these views, and if Mr Fox manages to reconcile the."' various parties, and command anything liko a working majority, he is an abler djploinntitt than most people give him credit for being. I£ beaten, it is said ho will dissolve, but I doubt whether he would vcnt.uro on such a Btop. There is as yet no further roliablo intelligence as to additional members of tho Ministry.

We beg to draw tho attention of the benevolent to a very painful case. Alexander M'Kenzio,on behalf of whose family aid is now solicited, met with a serious accident on tho lGth of February last. Ho was employed as a labourer, at tho Knkanui Breakwater, by Mr Gcorpe Proud foot, contractor, and. on the day mentioned, wan, with others. lioi«tiug a large block of stono, weighing throo tons. While so engaged, the stone pI pjicri, mul his hands were dragged into tin- lilouk, tho immedinto result huiug that both arms wcro fractured, and both hands literally •.battered. The loft hand has been amputated ; and of tho right band, only throo fingers remain. Tho bones of tho right arm and hand wcro so crushed and broken as to mako it doubtful whether they will over bo of sorvice. M'Kctmohas thus boon dia»b'«d forlifo. For ovor four month* ho has been prostrated upon hi» bed in tho Hospital, and months will probably elapse before no is in a fit attvto to leave that institution. Ho hna n, wifo and four children, tho youngest of whom is only threo weoks old. Tho littlo sum of money ho was ablo to savo prior to tne accident having long fiincc bton exhausted, tho family arc now in a necessitous coinliiinii. Thoso -who aio intoroating thcmaolves in this matter have ovcry confidence in recommend* ing M'Kcnjiio and hia family as fit objects for practical sympathy, and it is hoped that this app»*l will bo so roapnmled t.> aa to allow of tbo family bring placed in a iwr. mtnent way of earning a livelihood. Subaoriptions will bo rocoivod by Goo. It. Horoui and Co., hoot importers, Stafford atrrot ; Il«ith and NiooUon, booksellers, Prinooa mreot ; Wm. Baird, bookaolW, George street ; and. R. Bagloy, chomint. George atroot Subscriptions may also bo oft at tho oflloo of tho Hospital Steward, ondor cover to Mr J. A. Torranco, Hospital Ch»pl*~u