WELLINGTON.

Timaru Herald, Volume II, Issue 65, 12 August 1865, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

[from our correspondent.] August 2nd, 1865. Since I last wrote of General Assembly affairs we have had m the House of Representatives a smart debate on the Reply to the Speech of His Excellency, or more properly His Excellency's advisera ; the result being a signal success for the Ministry. Iv respect to Native policy the House has unmistakeably shown a desire to approve of the past, present, and future course of Ministers. That indeed was the chief point iv the speech upon which anything like a debate was got up. The only speech upon that part of the address relating to Provincial Loans and finance was delivered by one of your Canterbury members, Mr. Ward. As anything that can be said having a direct bearing upon provincial interests is an attraction to you, and as that gentleman seems to have a speciality for dealing with such questions, I send a somewhat fuller report of his speech than you will probably meet with m the local papers.

Mr. Ward — "I think, sir, that I may at once make the admission that Southern members are comparatively ignorant of Native affairs ; that from circumstances it must be so, but that, bein^» if I may say so, more directly interested m, or affected by the results of what is called Native policy, they do claim to be considered as better informed upon such matters, and accordingly claim to be heard upon questions relating to loans and finance. I observe that it is the intention of the Government to raise revenue by the imposition of stamp duties. Admitting the possibility or even the fact of its beiug a necessity to raise further revenue m a just and legitimate cause, I cannot bring myself to acknowledge this as a thing to be thankful for, and I think this part of the reply may well be amended, and expressing simply our readiness or willingness to consider such a mode of taxation. The great point that I am anxious to hear Ministers upon is the actual and probable cost of this seemingly everlasting native question. What have we spent, what have we left of the loans raised — what further action m a military point of view is contemplated, and how long will it take to do it. What are roads and self-support-iug settlements to cost? In considering these questions it will be important that we regard them as a whole, that while we are resolved to support a government that has proved itself m more ways than one equal to holding its own m critical time, we cannot ignore the fact that there are m the colony other important interests, and that to a certain extent it may be necessary to control Native policy by a due consideration of what are called Southern interests. The Address refers m a peculiar manner to very recent military operations. Without wishing to be understood as questioning the bravery of the

men employed on that occasion, or questioning evcu the military genius of the man who plauned the attack on Wereroa pa, 1 may almost be allowed to say that too much has been made of it. Uincers and men before then have done their duty. Why siuh extraordinary mention of it No doubt it may be considered by those competent to

judge well conceived and briskly executed, but after all, if the truth must out, it was more a slice of good luck than anything else. I think besides that the services of Colonel Warre deserved a more hearty recognition even for past services alone than this House is now asked

to express. I hope ministers will take an early opportunity of speaking definitely as to removal of the five rogimeuts, aud iudeed iv respect to the removal of the remainder of the troops over and above that number. By Mr. Card well's despatch we learn that the Imperial Government are determined not to leave the troops m the colony but on the condition of their being paid for at the rate of £40 per head per annum. I suppose we must hold ourselves liable for the pay of the troops to the extent that they have been used by the Colonial Government. And I would like to learn from the Ministry whether the Imperial troops that of necessity will remain m the colony for a certain time are to be employed; and if so, by whom they are to be paid, and at what rate paid for. We have learned from published despatches that hitherto Lieutenant-General Cameron has been, charged with the responsibility of determining the question of the removal of any or all of the Imperial troops. And it would be well that we should now be told with whom rests this responsibility. Does the fact of the resignation and departure of General Cameron authorise the Government m fact to assume that power and responsibility ? It is of interest to us that this important point should be made clear, because if mischief should result from the removal of the troops, the responsibility would rest with whomsoever exercised the power that is either with the Imperial Government or with its agent. If, on the other hand, this power is exercised by the Colonial Government, this colony and this House will be responsible. The complication that this question has given rise to is unfortuuate. Sir, 1 1 would rather we were not made responsible for this. I would take objection to that part of the Speech which speaks of provincial loans, and the mode m which they have been raised, or attempted to be raised, by the agents of the various Provincial Governments, as interfering to the prejudice of colonial loans attempted to be raised m tho home market. As a Pro* vincialist I object to this sort of mention of provincial loans. I would incline to ask how far the operations of Provincial Governments have been injuriously affected by the very largo contemplated undertakings of the General Government ? lam happy to learn that some method is at last to be introduced affecting future provincial loans. It is a large and important question to deal with, that of provincial loans ; but I trust that the Government will set to work m earnest to grapple with this difficult question. Connected with this subject is the case of Southland, m respect to which province it is absolutely necessary that this House should take some action. Then there are the provincial loans of Canterbury and Otago to be dealt with ; not, however, m the mode almost indicated by the paragraph m the Speech of his Excellency, viz., by their being guaranteed by the Colonial Government. To that course I decidedly object. That would be injurious to provinces that have financed with caution and with success, i hope and trust, therefore, that by the proposition of the Government it is not intended to lump up, as it were, all provincial loans. As to raising monej' by imposition or adoption of stamp duties, it may be questioned whether there are not other conceivable modes of increasing the revenue that may be less objectionable than the one proposed. In respect to the paragraph relating to encroachments on the " ordinary revenue " or that part of it which by law is allocated to provinces, I would venture to submit that if the General Government contemplate taking what really has been provided as a means of carrying on Provincial Government, it would be as well that the General Government took upon itself, with the Provincial revenues, the cost of Provincial Government. I hope the insertion of this paragraph has been by accident. lam sure it is a mistake, and I warn the Auckland members to look to it. I would say a few words m respect to the Panama contract. lam highly gratifie lat the successful issue of Dr. Featherstone's mission to Australia to arrange this contract. Last year I confess I was almost alarmed at the magnitude and difficulties of this contract. lam now, seeing that i New South Wales has joined us m undertaking the contract, full of hope and expectation m respect to it." The other great question that your immediate district is specially interested m will not come on for discussion before Tuesday m next week, the second reading of it having been postponed to that day.

A learned ccroner being asked the other day ho.v he accounted for the great mortality this yeir, exclaimed, "I canmt tell; there are people dying this year that nercr died before."