FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4,

Colonist, Volume XII, Issue 1247, 7 September 1869, Page 3

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4,

THE PROROGATION,

fcnftft Soros thntt/'i&nd would gradually prove Successful. Th« people of New Zealand, whose existence •was now forgotten, must eventually conquer. They •would learn to know that so long as the present rotten system existed, the taxation could never be reduced. The curse of New Zealand was that one body raised the money for others to spend. He altogether objected to that form of Government tfhich spent taxes for which it did not face the people. Let the Provincial Government be brought face to face with the people in respect to the taxes, and then utility would be fairly tested. At present they were fighting under a coat of mail. The total of the appropriations contained in the bill would be a startling commentary upon the appropriations of previous years, even although the Colonial Treasurer had, as he thought cleverly, but in reality blunderingly, thrown thirteen months' expenditure into last year's, and only made provision for eleven months this year; while there would be a large open account at the end of the year. (Cheers.) The Premier said the lion, gentlemen could not suppose his speech would have any effect upon the action of the Government or the House ; and it had no doubt only been delivered for the benefit of his constituents. The hon. member would find that, when the present Ministry had been in office as long as his own, their professions had been carried into effect us far the circumstances of the country would allow. The Government could not in two months carry out schemes that would require at least a year to effect. The Colonial force could not be demilitarised in two months, but much had been done, and the Defence Minister had accomplished more than had been performed in the same space of time at uny period in the history of the country. The hon. gentleman, although supported by a resolution of the House, allowed twelve months to pass without taking any steps for the organisation of the constabulary. As to the Government impeding the business of the House, if they did not bring down bills, they introduced resolutions laying down important principles, and settling the course of action to be taken. The real causes of the delay were the resolutions of the hon. members for Selwyn, Avon, and Ashley, and these hon. members were therefore responsible. If the Colonial Treasurer had proved such a break-down, .how hadhemantiged, when the Government possessed jo small a majority to carry so many important financial measures. What was the position of the late Ministry at this period of last session ? They had lost or been compelled to withdraw every measure they had introduced. They stood caked in the Appropriation Bill, and the Speaker's casting vote ; and but for the pressure of the " Tooral-looral" party, they would have resigned their offices. Did they mean to say they conld appeal to the people and improve their position? lhe result of the last six months showed what would be the result of such an appeal. The people of NewZealand had had enough of these big war loans, big standing armies, and this miserable mookery of an Imperial standing- army ; and would not suffer this aiv more. It could not be supposed that the people would allow either Colonel Haultain, Mr. Eichinond, or Mr. Stafford to re-assume their old seats; so there was no one left but the hon. member for Heathcote to form a Government, and it was not to be supposed that the people would permit this. No doubt the pomp and circumstance of office were pleasant, but the pleasures of rural life were greater, and he should recommend the hon. gentlemen to retire into private life, which some of them were at least co well fitted to adorn. He felt confident the House would approve of the conduct of the present Ministry (Cheers). Mr. Tancbed said the last speaker could only have thought of the resolutions of the Canterbury members as an excuse in reply to the hon. member for Timaru. lhe Government were at that time, in fact, glad to get anything on the order paper. Those who thought with him were justified in the action which they had taken during the session. They were justified in not attaching themselves to the Premier, because hiß ministerial statement was entirely different from his professions when in opposition last session. Since the Ministry had been in office they had gradually withdrawn from the positions which they took up. Mr. Heaphy said when the proposal was made to consolidate the loans, it was intended that the released sinking funds should be devoted to the Provinces ; and it'was very inconsistent of the Opposition to argue that they should be spent on Colonial purposes. The country would recognise the able manner in which the forces had been concentrated, and the economy of the present Government, and that feeling would be shown at the next election. The Defence Minister, endeavored to controvert Borne statements of Mr. Stafford relative to the movements of the forces. The forces, when the late Government were in office, were locked up in a part of the country where they could be of no use, while if the Waikato and other out-settlements had been attacked, there was not a single man to protect them. The review given by the hon. member was exceedingly unfair when his own officers told him that the positions which he had taken up were utterly untenable, utterly useless, and not calculated to effect any useful work. His (Mr. M'Lean's) opinion was that the Waikaremoana expedition could have resulted in nothing but disaster. Men utterly inefficient had been enrolled by the late Government and sent to the front, where they were treated in such a manner that he could not blame them for complaining, although he blamed the Government for putting them in such a position. The Government were censured for not taking the House into its confidence but fortunately it had been unnecessary for them to do so, since they had not had any of those mournful eventß so common under the late administration to communicate. Mr. Ham. complained that the present Government bad not supplied the House with information on native affairs, only furnishing it with garbled portions of telegrams and despatches, all tending in one direction, from officers appointed by themselves, and who would know what sort of despatches would be acceptable. He pitied the people of New Zealand if they supported the present Government for the purpose of getting rid of war loans.. l?he Hon. DjixpN Bejj. contrasted the position of ftffaiys when the House met and at present. When Parliament assembled, a feeling of terror and anxiety pervaded the country ; on the West and East Coasts, the country had been swept by murder, rapine, and outrage; the forces were in a state of mutiny, while their officers were reproaching the Government for the operations in which they were engaged, Colonel Whitmore himself disapproving of the Waikaremoana expedition ; there wa3 instant and imminent danger of a general war, which was encouraged by the words of the speech put in the mouth of his Excellenoy at the opening of Parliament; with all the lavish expenditure that had taken place, not a single precaution had been taken for the- protection of the Waikato, where some 400 or 500 women might have been pyissacred in a single night, while th*e Government pad driven "pick Te" Kooti into the King country, pliere he, might unite his forces with those of the King; the force was in a state of mutiny in every corner of the country, and unsuitable men were constantly Wing drafted into, it. Such were the difficulties to lie dealt with by the Government. Now, there was not the same feeling of apprehension in t^e country; the settlers on the West Coast were not afrnid to |eturn tp their farms. Then, just at tho time when ]t was desirable that the mpst friendly relations should subsist between the Colonial and the Homo Ctovernmentß, the public feeling at Home was hostile and the despatches from the Imperial Government iverernore and more bitter, while under the guidanpe pf the hon. members for Timaru and Heathcpte, who had repeatedly expressed opinions the reverse of loyal, remained in office, the feeling of estrangement was fcept up. The Cplpny was diverging more and more from the Home' country, until in the Governor's opening speech the Colony was taught to look upon it as rather a humiliation and disgrace to apply to the Imperial Government for assistance. The present Government, on the contrary, were endeavoring to restore frjejidly relations with the Home Government, to whom the Colony had a right to appeal for assistance, and he hoped that before the House met next year, the Commissioners would have succeeded in their mission, Tfhich would prove the harbinger of union and goodwill between-the two countries. ,The late Government were attempting to revolutionise the system of government and .substitute that bastard and spurious.

form &£ (government existing in Westland, fot the institutions of the country. The present Government desired to maintain the present institutions) assisting them in theiv functions, and gradually to place that House in its proper position in relation to local institutions. In finance, the late Gl-overnmenfc desired not only to sever the partnership between the Provinces and the Colony, but txlso to revolutionise the financial principles of the Provinces themselves. They desired to adopt a revolutionary course ; while the present Government wished, as far as possible, to leave things as they were. So far as regarded Parliamentary Government and the leading of that House, the country could not hesitate in deciding whether the present or the late Ministry should have its confidence. The latter were conducting the business on a false pretence, pretending to lead the House upon a bare majority. In every respect, the country would decide in favor of the present Government. Mr. Eichmond said the present Government might be described as one of desires, of hopes, and more especially of promises. Colonel vVhitmore had approved of the Waikaremoana expedition, and this would be found on record. He, however, did not wish to creep out of any responsibility for that expedition, for had these expeditions been carried out, the country would have now been in a different state of peace to the miserable lull that now existed. The Taupo expedition was no war expedition, it was part of a plan of peace, intended to enable them to treat with the Maori king. And the present Government would have to adopt the same policy. But public interests were being sacrificed for the sake of miserable party interests. [After an adjournment, Mr. Eichmond resumed the debate as follows :—] The military policy of the late Government was not hastily conceived, but was a preconceived plan, which would eventually hsve to bo carried out by the present Government. If native affairs nnd war policy had not been made the subject of party action lie should have had little to complain of in the present Government. The Waikaremoana expedition was not objected to by Major Herrick, who knew the circumstances of the case; the men who were engaged in it, up to the last moment, showed no signs of mutiny: and the chief E>pnta hud voluntarily expressed to him his opinion that the expedition-ought not to have been abandoned. He had been gratified at hearing from natives on all parts of the coast expressions of regret at the advent of a new Government. Even from the very dunghill of the lion, member for Napier those expressions had come, and come unsolicited. The hon. member for Mataura had complained of Mr. Weld's policy having been trampled under foot by the lute Government, but what would Mr. Weld say to the vacillating conduct of the hon. member, who supported a proposal for employing two British regiments, without any restriction as to the mode in which they were to be used ? He could not help commenting on tha unfair and uncandid way in which the Colonial Treasurer had made up last year's accounts. He had included thirteen months expenditure, and placed under the head of unauthorised expenditure £4000 or £5000 of bad debts from natives, belonging to previous years. That sum ought to have beeu charged against the Civil List Fund. The effect of what the hon. gentleman had done was to leave a larger balance in the hands of the present Government than would otherwise be the case. The essence of the late Colonial Treasurer's scheme was to charge the provincial loans colonially, and to make the sinking funds available for repaying the provincial debts. The late Government never attempted to interfere with the sinking funds, The financial policy of the late Government would have resulted in a reduction of the taxation of the country. Ultimately, the proposals of the hon. member for Selvvyn would have to bo carried out, and the loans charged on the land fund. He should like to know very much upon what principle the hon. member for Matauia was going to address the Home Government; whether it was to be that of self-reliance, or the principle which had been consistently advocated by the Colonial Treasurer. If the hon. member was going home with the hope of varying the settled policy of the Home Government, he would let the country down to a lower point than it had yet reached, either in the eyes of the people at home or in their own self respect. If .the ridiculous resolutions passed by the House were scanned at home, the agents of the colony would be covered with shame. There must be a limitation to the claims of the colony upon the Home Government, and the latter would say they had discharged their obligations by giving the colony, without price, an estate which had yielded it millions. Our affections to the home country would not be the least diminished by our attaining to separation, which must soon take place for a variety of reasons. Mr. Eichmond proceeded to the subject of the constabulary. The constabulary would have to fight in a very rough country, and the kind of discipline which was now being given to it was thrown away. The erprit de corps given by a pride in a neat outfit and orderly conduct in barracks actually unfitted the men for service in the field. Mr. Travees said the shortest cut to take in organising a force to meet the natives in the field was to mix the men with trained soldiers and take them into the field ; but the peace organisation now being given to the constabulary would render the men unfit for Maori warfare, and lead to the gravest disasters. It was a trick to amuse the people. It was a most unfortunate thing that the constabulary were not allowed to complete the work which they had begun ; and this would be felt by the country before twelve months were over. The withdrawal of the Waikaremoana expedition had given breathing time to the rebels. The words in the Appropriation Act stating that £16,000 odd had been expended last year without authority of law showed what the actual unauthorised expenditure of last year was. £1,445,230 had been appropriated for this year's services, being £400,000 in excess of the revenue. To this was to be added the cost of the 18th regiment, and a, portion of the £70,000 appropriated to the Commissioners, allowing for a deduction on account of tho constabulary, while the Public Revenues Act allowed an overdraft of £40,000. Sinking funds to the amount of £120,000 had been given to the Provinces, who hnd also been authorised to overdraw by some £180,000 to £200,000. Altogether, irrespective of laud revenue and local taxation, Bomo £1,900,000 was authorised to be expended this year. This would be dragged out of the Commissioners who were going Home to declare our pauperism. Moreover, they were informed that these appropriations might not cover the expenditure, and that the House might have to be called together to vote additional supplies. They had proceeded on a false policy j and the Colony should have economised in order to meet the emergency. The Cqip.NiAii Treasubek, in reply, quoted from Mr. Travers' speeches in order to chow that the constabulary should be organised on the principle now being followed. The hon. member would never be contented with any Government of which, he was not a member. The House hnd unanimously passed a resolution in favor of establishing a Constabulary force, but the present Government was the only one which hsvd endeavored to carry its wishes into effeot. The hon. gentleman, in his figures, had included liabilities and engagements which would be charged against special votes. The state of the unauthorised expenditure would be shown when the accounts were balanced. The hon. member for Grey and Bell had himself given a written authority to charge the £4300 for native loans as unauthorised expenditure. No doubt th.3 hon. gentleman would like to Bee the land fund applied for war purposes, but it wao much more usefully applied as it was. The maintenance of the compact of 1856 had materially contributed*to the prosperity of the country. Attempted negotiations with the Maori King with the connivance of the Government wore going on when the Assembly met, and if the Government were at that time making «n insidious advance into the King country, they were guilty of the blackest treachery and,themoet reckless disregard for the safety of the country, since they had made no preparations to meet an attack from the King party. The hon.. gentleman was not such an immaculate politician as to give .him the right to speak of the miserable squatting and other interests in that House. He had shown himself willing to join every Government. The hon, gentleman had.no right to look down on those who conscientiously endeavored to perform-their duty, and without aspiring to so much, performed a great d.eal more than he did, But ifc

would not be long before the horn gentleman changed hia opinions; and if there was a vacancy on the Ministerial benches, no doubt he would be open to an offer. Probably the lion. member for Nelson felt sore on the subject of sinking funds, since some £80,000 or £100,000 had slipped from hi 3 grasp. But the permanent measures so much censured had been adopted by the House, which was responsible for them. As to the subject of provincial loans, the Government had voted individually on the Wanganui bridge advance, which was, moreover, a peculiar case. The Otago loan was in no sense a Colonial loan. He should recommend the hon. member for Ashley to join a party next session. By going into the " Cave," he had taken up a false position. It was something like presumption for three or four men to assume to control the House. Both parties should set their face against such a proceeding. The Government congratulated themselves on not having sought the assistance of the Cave. Mr. Vogel then commented on Mr. Stafford's speech. It was stated in the financial statement that, owing to the way in which the accounts were made up, there was in sotn'e cases a real, and in others, an apparent excess of expenditure. The defence expenditure for June, 1867, was a mere bagatelle, and would not much disturb the calculations. The defence expenditure last year was very large indeed. He could not understand how Mr. Stafford made out that the Government had boirowed £700,000 for General and Provincial pui'poses ; but the hon. gentleman had omitted to mention that some of the money was required owing to the legacy left by the late Government. He would not have supported the application of the Government for the £150,000 of Treasury bills had he not felt the necessity of the mon^y being granted. The hon. gentleman ought to feel gratelul for the leniency with which he h>d been treated. He (Mr. Vogel) had not evaded a discussion on the financial statement ; but the Opposition had not had the courage to bring the resolutions against the Budget which they had, in a caucus, agreed upon to move. The Opposition had never dared to bring dowu a distinct vote of want of confidence. As to the Government having kept back their bills, lust year out of a total of eighty bills fifty were introduced tifter the Ist September, and eighteen by the Government after the 30th September. If a dissolution took place not a dozen members of the Oppos.tion would be returned if they announced their intention of turning out the Government. Mr. Vogel replied to the remarks of Mr. Stafford on the constitutional question. The answer to the hon. member's attack on himself was the verdict of the House. It was no secret that hon. members had been button-holed and canvassed outside of the House, and caucases had been held, but nevertheless the financial measures of the Government had been carried. The hon. member for Tiuwru would get on better if he were less arrog-mfc, and if he did so, might spare hini (.Mr. Vogel) the advice which he had given him that day. The hon. member spoke as though the Government were a defeated party, but the hon. gentleman, although lie had done his best to do so, had failed to turn them out of office. In saying that the people would conquer, the lion, gentleman had quoted from one of his (Mr. Vogel's) own speeches last session. The people had conquered, as there was a Ministry iv office in whom they had confidence. Whatever figures might be invented there Avas no doubt the defence expenditure had been limited, since the number of men had been lessened, while the operations were not so expensive. Then the Government knew where their men were, while the late Government did not. They had got troops, which it was stated in the Governor's speech could not be done ; an Armed Constabulary wus being formed; confidence was being restored throughout the country ; and the Government hoped to re-estab-lish friendly relations with the Imperial Government (Cheers.)