The Taranaki Herald. " Open to All—Influenced by None." NEW PLYMOUTH, AUGUST 23, 1854.

Taranaki Herald, Volume III, Issue 108, 23 August 1854, Page 2

The Taranaki Herald. " Open to All—lnfluenced by None." NEW PLYMOUTH, AUGUST 23, 1854.

The deplorable position of public affairs at the Seat of Government, detailed in another part of our columns, is calculated to produce a profound sensation throughout the Colony ; and we earnestly desire to place all the circumstance attending it before our readers with as much truthfulness as possible. The length of the documents and the debates upon them, altogether preclude a verbatim publication at present, but, the summary we furnish contains all that is important to a true appreciation of the question ; and we have appended to it all that from the imperfect state of our files, we yet know of the opinions of our Auckland contemporaries, varying as they do, to assist to a true conclusion. j Another task remains to be performed, which however we enter upon without doubt or reserve, viz :— an expression of 1 opinion on these extraordinary incidents. I ! The position of the Officer administering the Government has been throughout un- ' doubtedly one of great difficulty. Pressed I by the House of Representatives on one ' side, and receiving only dubious advice from those who were bound to stand between him and the demands of that body, if those demands were unconstitutional ; what wonder that the cunning of political fence has been too strong for his honest intentions ; that misguided by his advisers he should have fallen into the toils of the arch mover of all mischief in tho^ colony. Intrigue to keep power on the part of the old Executive, and to clutch it on the part of Mr. Edward Gibbon WAiccvir.LD is patent as the sun at noon-day through the whole of this disreputable proceeding. To take a short retrospect : — the establishment of Responsible Government in New Zealand was on the 2nd of June last proposed to the House of Representatives by Mr. Wakefield, in a set of speeches shewing great ability. We have yet fresh in our mind the powerful arguments by which he proposed to prove the necessity, and enforce the demand of the adoption of the principle ; and it will be in the recollection of our readers that after thiee day's hard debating, the following resolution was agreed to by the House — " That amongst tlic objects which this lioujci doBiro to sec accomplished without delay, both as an essential means whereby the General Government mny rightly exorcise, n duo conlrol over iho Provincial Governments, and as a no less indispensable means of obtaining for the General Government the confidence and attachment of tho people tho most important is the establishment of Ministerial in tho conduct of .Legislative and Executive proceedings by the Governor." This resolution was subsequently embodied in an address to His Excellency the Officer administering the Government, who, complying with the request it contained, called several members of the House of lte» presentative3 to his Council.

In this latter part of the affair, however, a great mistake seems to have been made. Mr. Wake field waa not called. In truth theie was amongst his compeers more admiration for his talents than reliance in his sincerity ; and the result has proved that they were not far wrong in their conclusions. Since the formation of the new Ministry, Mr. Wakefield has done his utmost to obstruct the business of the Assembly to which ho belongs ; and now in. conjunction with the members of the old irresponsible executive — whose existance his resolution was expressly aimed at — has by a dexterous stroke of political legerdemain ousted the responsible ministers, and placed the whole machinery of Government in " most admired disorder." This apostle of Responsible Government — this largest possible sJiam of New Zealand politics, now stands forward the champion of the irresponsible executive — himself being the irresponsible adviser of his Excellency ; and has already his unatural hands on the throat of his infant offspring. I We shall, if possible, give in our next the message concocted by the Proteus of the Ilutt in his new character, and also some extracts from the new exposition of his theoiy of Responsible Government, with which he has since enlightened the House of Representatives ; and wo venture to assert that a more gross specimen of political tergiversation will not be found in the annals of political debate, than is furnished by a comparison of these with his speeches on his original motion. ! In tiuth Mr. Wakefieid is too clever for the people of New Zealand. They innocently supposed^that their representatives, while sacrificing their time at the seat of Government, would have been permitted— as most of them were willing — to give their attention to the improvement of the legislation of the colony, now deplorably unsuited .to its present requirements, as to its future progress — not to waste it over puppetshow I exhibition of political hocus poens, and arrogant displays of egotism ; and we suspect it will not be long before they show unmistalceable symptoms of the disgust wbich such proceedings are fast engendering ; and that it will he discovered that the people of this colony are not inclined quietly to submit to have their new institutions dragged through the dirt, to gratify individual caprice or cupidity : indeed we conceive it to be the bounden duty of the people of the several Provinces, out of regard for their own interests, and out of consideration for sacrifices their true representatives are submitting to in their service, to make known by unequivocal token their sentiments and determination, on a course of proceeding that will probably in one shoit week do more to'damage the respectability of the constituencies, the Assembly, and the Government of the colony, than a regiment of political charlatans would be able to remedy in a lifetime. In one point of view, perhaps, the present complication may not be without compen* sating benefit ; it will show to the electors of New Zealand the kind of men best calculated to do justice to their interests. They do not want men with a large reserve of "cherished opinions" and a thousand and one theories, drawn on and off with the same facility as their gloves, whenever circumstances present an opportunity of performing some monstrous cantrip in the political arena, but, men of business habits, and straightforward principles ;such, if possessing even moderate attainments, are clearly more likely to do service to the '; interests of their constituents than men having more imposing talents, but, who are by education and habit so wedded to an overgrown system, that they mistake the ex- | cresences which have grown about and de- | form useful institutions for improvements ; and are so saturated with the finesse and intrigue of politics, that if there be a crooked I road to an object, they cannot for the life of them but prefer it to the straight one.

By the Auckland Overland Mail which arrived on Wednesday last, we received our files of the New r Lcalander and Cross to the 26th ultimo, and on Thursday the Nehon reached New Plymouth, bringing another mail and additional papers to the 15th instant, but which unfortunately do not complete our files. The intelligence by this last arrival is, however, of a most astounding character. The recently formed ministry has resigned, and a, collision between the House of Kepresentatives and the Governor appears to be impending. From imperfect materials at present before us, we shall attempt to give some account of this untoward affair, confining our notice simply to a narrative of the circumstances. On Wednesday the 2nd instant a sitting of unusual interest was anticipated in the House of Representatives. Mr. Wakefield's motion for the exemption of Auckland from the New Zealand Company's debt, and the second reading of the Marriage Bill, standing for discussion. The sitting however was brought to an early termination by a motion by Mr. Fitzgerald that the house do adjourn till Thursday evening. The hon. gentleman stated as the ground for this motion that he and his colleagues in office had resigned, in consequence of His Excellency having declined to accede to their request that, further steps should be taken to give effect to the principle of Ministerial Responsibility, for which they believed that the time had now arrived, and added, that His Excellency acting on the advice of a portion of His Executive had been pleased to accept their resignation. In the Legislative Council Mr. Bartley made a short statement to the effect — That the responsible Ministers had conceived that the time had come when they should possess all the rights and incidents connected with Ministerial responsibility, but that thq irresponsible portion of the Executive took a different vic-w, and His Excellency deemed it right to adopt tha advice of the irresponsible members. Under these circumstances the responsible ministers had thought that it would be a mockery if they continued to execute the functions with which they were entrusted, and they, consequently, felt bound to retire with a view to retaining the confidence of the public, which he hoped they had not forfeited. The following Minute, which throws some further light on the affair, was read by Mr. Sewell as a part of the Ministerial explanation — • Auckland, Aug. 2nd, 1854, I understand the effect of what took place at tho meeting of the Executive Couucil yesterday to hnro been as follows ;— The responsible members of the ExecutiveCouncil submittotl to his Excellency their rensom for considering it necessary to adopt without further delay tho full principle of responsible government, and to appoint to the offices of Attorney Genera], Colonial Secretory, and Colonial Treasurer, gentlemen poiscsiing the confidence of the House of Representatives. At the same timo they stated it might not bo ncccaiary to displace the present officer! immediately— but that the House of Representatives might be satisfied to allow matters to re* main till the end of tho session, upon the clear un* derstanding that a permanent Government should be formed on the principle of responsibility. To this his Excellency replied thai such imme« diata adoption of the principle of responsible government was Roing beyond the terms of his first arrangement. He understood that the present arrangemont might continue till tho contemplated change was suuetioned by the Home Government, and he urged that it was hard on him, ai mere temporary administrator of the Government, to com* pel him to take a step which might bo disapproved of. He stated that the Colonial Seaetary had tendered his resignation, winch he held in his hand ready to be accepted as soon flt the Executive Government Bill was passed providing retiring pension*— and this ho considered a icasonable instalment of the principle, and a guarantee of his own good faith, The Attorney. General stated that if it were nny satisfaction to tho llouso, it might bo .mured tb.it be hail transmitted, pr wns ready to transmit, hn resignation to the Duko of Newcastle, and that so soon as such resignation should bo accepted from home ho was prepared to retire. That in tho mean time ho would offer no obstruction to the measures of tho responsible member» of the Government, but be would not feel justified in retiring at ouco or before such (auction should liavo been received from t homc. The Colonial Secretary confirmed what his Ex-, ocllency had stated as regards himself. The Colonial Treasurer referred to his former proposal, nhich he explained as follows — viz; that he would bo prepared to resign when the public service required it, and so soon as his resignation should have been accepted by the authorities in England, but not before The Attorney General, Colonial Secretary, and Colonial Treasurer, stated that they could not ad« vise his Excellency to accept of the resignations of the above mentioned officers upon other terms or in a different w«y, and they would not advise him to remove tho officers by his own authority. i replied for myself that I clearly understood when I took office that tho old officers were prepared generally to resign when the public service required it — that I never contemplated such oon» dvtions, particularly as icgarila time, the effect

of which would be to postpone altogether the question of responsible government. I further pointed out that, a« regards the office of Colonial Treasurer, it would be practicably impomiblo to carry on the Government without that office being at his disposal. We all pointed out that tho question wad no longer one of opinion an to what might bo desirable but one of necessity ; tint the House could not accept lesi thnn a complete responsible government — that they would refuse to pans Bills, and refuse supples — and that we could not consistently urge them to do otherwise, neeing that they were about to trnnufcr such large powers to tho Execuiivo. Mr. Fitzgerald Mated that recent circumstances particularly, relating to Finance nnd Land dealings had made the House very jealous, nnd that a riew and formidable opposition had arisen, which rendered it indispensably necessary to strengthen the Government by nil means. We *U stated our determination not to carry on the prcßont Government on the present footing. The conference ended without coming to any definite conclusion— all parties remaining at tho last precisely where they begun. Anuming the mutter to romnin in stalu quo, and aa the Houso will go into Committeo on tho Executive Government Bill this evening, before ■which It is necessary lo define exactly the position of tha Government, I have thought it right to request Mr. Fitzgerald to relieve me from my obligation to him as n member of tho Government, nnd to place in his Excellency's hands the resignation of my seat in the Executive Council/ I leave it to tho House to judgo whether I have in this mitter acted with penonil disrespect to his Excellency, or in a manner unbecoming of a mem« her of the Government! The Auckland press differ as usual in their views of tho subject. The Southern Cross (llth inst.) writes :—" An impression seems still to be working in the minds of many that the utter confusion into which the colony has been plunged is nothing more than a mere party affair, the friends of the ex-ministry striving to bring them hack to power again. But nothing can be farther from tho truth. It is not a ministerial quarrel with hia Excellency, hut a great breach of compact with the House by the Crown. The Governor by his own act and deed, has withdrawn that modicum of ministerial responsibility which he had accorded. On the resignation of the old ministry, it was his duty to have sent for a member of the Houie, for the sole purpose of endeavouring to form a new one; instead of that, he throws the Government of the country into the hands of one man unsworn and irresponsible — even to tho exclusion of his own constitutionally appointed executive. From the epoch of such a course being adopted, the ex-ministry had no longer a party. Those who had once been called the friends of the ex-ministry, now assumed a far more unassailable position. From lhat time forward they have become Tun Constitutional Party j in stedfast opposition to arbitrary rule. "We deeply regret that in his exigency he (tho Officer administering the Government) had not applied for advice to some honest, though duller-minded adviser, in preference to the astute and underworking member for the Hult. A man of common understanding — of plain straightforward sense of what was due to his Excellency and the House, actuated by a sincere desire of removing a difficulty which stood in tho way of all progress, would have advised him that it did not become the Representative of Her Majesty to enter into personal conflict with his late advisers. Mecessity required that he should explain to the House the position in which he was left by the resignation of the Ministry, and that he should place the House in possession of all documents relating to the question. But further than this it was very wrong to go. For the proffering of statements which reflect upon the truth and honor of the men in whom the House had repeatedly expressed its confidence, necessarily throws upon it the duty of defending their reputations, not as matter of generous feeling alone, but even to preserve their public usefulness. All this is entirely beside that constitutional difficulty which ought alone to have occupied its deliberations, has been imported into the question to serve the personal objects and to gratify the revengeful feelings of Mr. Edward Gibbon Wakefikld. Instead of the promised overtures of peace, a declaration of war came down, The promise was of conciliation — of suggestions by which difference might be accommodated ; the message is of insult, and untruth, but it is not Governor Wynyahd'b message j Mr. Wakefield has relievtd his Excellency from the imputation ; he has avowed himself the sole adviser — unsworn and irresponsible — of the Queen's representative, aud has volunteered to take the responsibility of the message on himself. " He has even stipulated with his Excellency that none but himself shall advise ; that no counsel whatever shall be sought from the sworn and constitutionally established executive. •' A remarkable incident occurred during

Ihe reading of the message. Quos Bens oult pcrdcre prius dementat. Mr. Wakefield, the go-between, rose, took the message out of the Speaker's hand, and was ■ proceeding to alter it, when stopped by Mr. ! Fitzgerald. He only wished, as he said, to correct a clerical error, three or four , words. The expression though it does not j tally with the loss of the sheet, was of course \ connected with it ; but we were not pre- i pared for anything so monstrous as an attempt, even by the member for the Hutt, to j alter a vice-regal speech." j We find the able observations of our contemporary on this important subject, run to so great a length, that we must postpone further extracts till our next ; that we may find room for others from the New Zcalander which takes another, and altogether con- j trary view of the affair. Next week we propose to give tho remainder of these ar- ' guments, and also the documents which have been published in the Gazette illustrating the positions of the parties implicated in these unfortunate difficulties. \ " The anxiously expected message from ' His Excellency the Officer Administering t the Government was deliveied punctually ' according to promise about two o'clock on Saturday, and was read in the Legislative Council, and in the House of Representatives by the respective Speakers. We transfer to our columns this day not only that document itself but the whole of the Appendix, which latter we deem of especial importance as placing in the hands of every reader a mass of authentic evidence by which he may decide for himself the question on which side there has been a departure from the original arrangements respecting Ministerial Responsibility,— whether on the side of His Excellency or on that of the ex-Ministers. We appeal with the most entire confidence to these documents in confirmation of the opinion we expressed on Saturday, — ' that His Excellency has honorably performed all thai he had ever engaged to do in the introduction of Responsible Government and that the Ministry have really endeavoured to coerce him into steps which he had explicitly informed them in writing, on their acceptance of office, that he could not and would not take.' tfndeed it will be seen that he did not hesitate to waive his objection to the addition of more than three members to the Executive Council, thus giving the new members the power of a numerical preponderance over the old in that Council. "It is puerile, if not worse, to arraj private ' understandings' against these clear proofs. If an 'understanding' derived from the view taken of private conversations clashed with the plain grammatical meaning of a written official coi respondence. It was 'understood' that the Colonial Secretary (who had not received his appointment directly from the Crown) would retire on the provision of a suitable pension ; and he has now actually tendered his resignation. It was 'understood' that the, Colonial Treasurer, holding his appointment directly from the Crown, would retire only on receiving Her Majesty's acceptance of his resignation ; and pending that permission, he maintains his ground. As respects the Attorney-General, whose conduct has been made the theme of especially unjust criticism his position was obvious to all who did not refuse to see it, not only from his opinion as Law Adviser of the Government. He was willing, we are satisfied, to facilitate rather than hinder the establishment of Responsible Government at a proper time and in a constitutional way j but we also believe that he had too clear a perception of his duty to Her Majesty and to the Colony to think for a moment of abandoning His Excellency at such a juncture to tho legal guardianship of Mr. Sewell or any similar aspirant to office."