WELLINGTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 1240, 4 September 1875, Page 6

WELLINGTON.

August 19fch. Still the debate drags on in the most deadly-lively manner, although the night before last it did rise a little above the very low average previously attained. Mr Rolleston, Mr Bowen, and Mr Ballance each made very excellent speeches in their way, Mr Rolleston's being the most thoughtful, although the worst delivered, and Mr Ballance's the most carefully got up one. Ido not know that I ever read a much better eflort as a maiden one in the House, for though of course by no means free from faults, it was such a speech as few of the older members could have made. It is to be hoped that the congratulations and compliments which have been showered on Mr Ballance from all sides will not spoil him. Some of the remarks in which he indulged on Provincial matters will, however, in all likelihood expose him to a severe castigation from Mr Fitaherbert when, it comes to that gentleman's turn to speak. Mr Bowen spokej better than any one expected to hear him. He seemed thoroughly in earnest, and, being so, dropped out of the haw-haw style which is so disagreeable. Mr Murray also spoke, but not at great length. His speech, however, was remarkable in one respect. He brought forward a counter scheme of Constitutional reform, sketohing at some length +he details of the alterations which he thought it would be advantageous to make in the form of government. Mr Murray has of course been a good deal chaffed about hia new Constitution, but there ia really a very great deal in his Echeme, and I should not be at all surprised should many of its main features hereafter commend themselves to public attention, and be taken up by others more able than he is to give them practical effect. After the four gentlemen I have named had spoken, it was arranged that Mr Reid should move the adjournment, but, as it was only midnight when Air Ballance sat down, the Government broke the bargain made by its whip, and tried to force the debate on, but had in the end to give way. Then they moved that the debate should take precedence of all other business until it waa finished. A good many members objected to being thus deprived of their only chance of pushing on other business in which they were interested, and a regular wrangle took place, lasting until a few minutes before four o'clock in the morning, when, after talking against time, and calling for division after division, the Opposition at length gave way, and now the debate is to be kept going until it is quite completed. The talking power of the House, however, is not likely to be exhausted for several nights yet, and probably ifc will be the middle of next week before the aecond reading takes place. Unless the Government force a division I do not think one is likely to take place. The Opposition know that they aro outnumbered by two to one, and they therefore are not likely to call for a division until the Bill gets into Committee and their ranks are strengthened. Yesterday nearly the whole of the afternoon was occupied by Mr Donald Refd, who made a very admirable speech in his usual practical manner. Ifc ia a speech which will well repay the perusal of Otago readers, as showing by figures how the Government proposals are likely to affect the Province. Mr Cuthbertaon jumped up to reply to Mr Reid, j and was exceedingly indignant when Sir Craoraft Wilson first caught the Speaker's flye. Indeed, Mr Cuthbertson has been very unfortunate, having been, wound up on several occasions, but never getting an opportunity for going off. Yeaterday afternoon he was loud in his complaints about being badly treated, and even went so far as to threaten that he would not speak at all. Finding that this dire possibility did not produce much sensation or effect, he thought bttter of it, and appealed to the Opposition whip to give him the chance his own side denied him. This was done, and Mr Cuthbertson followed Sir Oracroft, and attempted to demolish Mr Reid, but though he talked most volubly for j upwards of an hour, he did not make much j impression. He was followed by T< kamo- | ana, who opposed the Bill. He and Taiaroa are both in opposition, so that the Maori vote will be divided equally. Sir Cracroft Wilson's speech was a very egotistical one, and did not carry any weight. Mr Steward, Mr Yon der Heyde, and one or two other small guns, have gone off, and to-night we are J to have a heavy cannonade from Mr Reeves i Mr Stafford, and Mr Fitzherbert. I

Sir George Grey seems fully determined to expose the mysteries of the Native department, especially in reference to the 1 matter of the purchase of Native lands. We have a whole host of the land purchase agents and lawyers and of the Native Office here, and they do not at all seem to relish, the idea of Sir George Grey's determination. The Government profess the utmost desire for full and complete investigation into" everything, but they content themselves with the profession, and manage to throw all kinds of obstacles in the way of any practical attempt to pursue an enquiry. There was a great fight over a motion of Sir George Grey's for leave to introduce a Bill to prevent Orders in Council being passed to legalise the very questionable Waikato land sale to Thomas Russell and Co., to -which Mr Waterhouse drew attention in the Council last year. The Government chose to treat the question as one of want of confidence, and refused to accept the moat positive assurances that it was not so intended. There was a long debate, and Government used their majority, actually forcing a division by their own supporters, when the Opposition walked out. Then Sir Donald promised a Committee te enquire into the whole matter, and actually put a notice on the paper ; but he has carefully so arranged the business that this motion has not come an, and he declines to bring it on unless Sir George will consent to its being passed without discussion. As the Committee is almost entirely composed of Government supporters, and the subject is an important one, Sir George very properly refuses to give any such pledge, and so the matter stands. The evident shuffling of the Government, and apparent intention to use their majority to burk enquiry, is not producing a very favourable impression outside toe House.

„. , L , , August 21st. I We have another dreary week of talk before us, although there will be a little break on tomorrow, which is to be given up to private business. Last week there was some very excellent talking on both Thursday and Friday. Mr Reeve 3 made a slashing speech, a most thorough good one, and he well warmed the old Knight of Heathcote for his disgusting ebullition 0 of spite and vanity the previous day. Sir Cracroft had not the pluck to remain in' the House to hear himself pitched into, but he now goes about talking of the " impertinence of that fellow, Reeves." He, however, meets with no sympathy, for the general verdict is "served him right." Mr Stafford's speech was a brilliant oratorical effort, but it had comparatively little relation to the subject immediately under discussion. As a speech, however, it was far and away the best we have yet had this session. Friday night was, by common consent, given up to Mr Fitzherbert, and he really wanted the whole of it, for he spoke for four nours and three-quarters. It was wearisome to hear him, but yet the speech was a most able one, and the last hour and a-half he was eloquent and powerful. Many of his -points told remarkably well, and Major Atkinson, Mr Bowen, and Mr Stafford, in succession came in for scathing criticism of their deliverances. Mr Fitzherbert was preceded in the debate by Mr Curtis and Mr Ward, the former making one of his neat, concise, and namby-pamby little speeches, and the latter speaking very well for nearly an hour. Mr Macandrew is now the only man who remains to speak whose utterances will be likely to excite much interest, or carry much weight. There are, however, no less than 22 others who intend, I believe, to speak, so that to-nicht, Thursday, and Friday, will barely give time to bring matters to a close, Mr Stout will have an opportunity of speaking before the debate ends. Every day strengthens the opinion which I expected from the first—that the Government cannot cany the Bill through this session. I doubt whether they will even try it. The Opposition can, if they like, prevent its going into Committee for another couple of weeks, and when it gets there, can keep it there for at least six weeks. Many of the Government supporters — Mr O'Conor for instance — by no means approve of the details, and will try then- best to get them materially altered. Things will soon get into such a state of confusion that Ministers will probably yield to public opinion, and-with-draw their proposals for the session. Many of their own supporters are urging them to do this. Ihe large majority of public meetings now against passing the Bill this session, is bearing influence, and members whoae constituencies wish to be consulted do not like the idea of jeopardising their seats by supporting the Government to extremes. I hope another two weeks will see this matter shelved, and then there will be something to write about. At present there is really nothing.