GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 814, 18 October 1872, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Wellington, Wednesday Evening The debate on Sir D. Monro's motion lasted till an early hour this morning. Mr Yogel concluded his speech by saying that if the majority of the House really desired a dissolution the Government would be hhppy to convey, an assurance of the fact to the Governor, and it would probably remove his Excellency's main objection. Messrs Stafford, Pox, Wakefield, Fitzherbert, and Gillies spoke at great length on the question. The latter declared that all hope of a fusion of parties was hopeless, as one was a party of honesty, the other not. Messrs Shepherd (Otago), Hunter, Luckie, Wood, Roileston, M'Gillivray, and Atkinson also spoke on the question. Mr Swanson reproached the leading members of the House for speaking by the hour on a personal question, when the previous night a multitude of bills of immense importance to the country had been pitchforked through or out of the House without remark, and with barely a quorum present. Sir D. Monro asked leave to withdraw the motion. Mr Yogel refused, and Sir D. Monro, Mr Stafford and his party then left the House, with the exception of Major Atkinson. In order to record a division, Mr Reynolds acted as teller for the ayes. The motion was lost by 2J to 2 — Atkinson and Reynolds. Nine pairs. Messrs Swanson and Wood voted with the majority. The Auckland University Bill was rejected by the Legislative Council. Mr Parker asked if it were the intention of the Government to leave the spot of the railway crossing at the Rangitata an open question until the Engineer-in-Chief had an opportunity of forming an opinion by personal inspection. Mr Ormond replied m the affirmative. In reply to a question by Mr Roileston, Mr Yogel said that he intended to endeavour to get the accrued Canterbury sinking fund out of the hands of the trustees, and that he hoped to receive Mr Rolleston's assistance. Mr Fox's motion on going into Committee of Supply asking the Government to continue temporary assistance the same as last yeur to the Wellington Botanic Gardens was carried by 33 to 19. Mr Stafford asked whether it was intended to proceed with the Timaru and Temuka railway during the recess. Mr Ormond declined to give a definite promise as to any line. Mr Roileston moved that it is desirable the House should be definitely informed as to the works to be proceeded with during the recess. Mr Reid said the Government should be able to estimate the cost of the proposed lines, and put it into the schedule of tht/ Railway Bill. Mr Yogel said that it was intended to carry on all works m the same spirit, as the House had authorised them. It would be fairer to commence all works and proceed slowly with them than aa the late Government intended — push on a few, and leave others untouched. At the samo time some would have to be proceeded with more rapidly than others. Mr Gillies thought such policy would result m a mess, and that Government was holding over the heads of members a threat that the progress of works m their districts would depend on their votes. He thought that, notwithstanding the general authority, an actual vote should be taken for each work. Mr Murray said it wa3 absurd, with present means, to talk of doing all the lines. Mr Carrington regretted that Government had not deQned the main trunk line m each island m a bill. _ Mr M'Lean. said of course those lines likely to be most profitable would be most rapidly pushed on. Major Atkinson thought the House should have the information asked for. Mr Rolleston's amendment was lost by 36 to 31, and the House went into Supply on the confiscated lands department. Mr M'Lean intimated that he intended to re-organise the whole department, and appoint a mixed commission, regarding lands. The vote was passed. Mr Yogel announced that, after mature deliberation, the Government had abandoned the intention of appointing a Civil Service Commission. He would, on a future occasion, say what they intended to do on the subject. Thursday Afternoon. Nearly all last night was spent over the Estimates. The vote of £5500 for Government buildings at Wellington was strongly objected to. Mr Macandrew moved to reduce it to £1500. After a discussion, tho original amount was passed. The item of £1500 for six months' subsidy to a Fiji Steam Service, was opposed by Me3srs Oalder, Gillies, and others, and supported by Messrs Sheehan, "Williamson, and others. It passed without a division. The item for compensation to Mr Smythies of £1000, was carried on a division by 24 to 13 ; the Government undertaking not to pay unless Mr Smythies accepted it m full satisfaction. The public works estimates still remain. The railways, and other Government bills, were read a second time, under arrangment that discussion be taken on them to-day on the motion for their committal. The Privilege Committee on the Brog-den-Harrison case report that there is no proof against Mr Brogden, and that the charge against Capt. Holt is unsubstantiated ; but it considers such a state of things unhealthy, and regret Mr Harrison taking such action on a private conversation. Thursday Evening. In reply to a question by Mr Reeves Mr Ormond Btated that th« Government

intended after satisfying any claims Messrs Brogden may have under their present agreement, to execute all further public works on the principle of submission to public competition. Mr Stafford moved— "That the Colonial Treasurer having stated that the Ministry was formed by him and not by the Prime Minister, the House desires to be informed as to whether m the.eventof the deatli or resignation of the Prime Minister, the Ministry would according to constitutional usage be ipse facto dissolved." He said that as Mr Yogel had already answered the question he did not desire to press it. He quoted precedents to. show the usual practice, and said he ■would, have preferred to see Mr Vopel Premier m name as well as m fact. He ■was perfectly entitled to the position, and from the position he had achieved m politics, it would have been a proper and fitting position for him to occupy. It would have been both more seemly and more satisfactory to have had at the head of affairs a gentleman holding aii acknowledged political position, than one whose extraordinary vacillation m having taken office a few days after his positive declaration that he would never do so, had weakened his position m public estimation. He said Mr Waterhonse had never done any thing to entitle him to the position of Premier or never submitted himself t<> the test of public approval m this colony, Ho had been anxious to secure Mr 'Waterhouse as a colleague, but would have thought it an insult to the people of the colony to offer him the Premiership. He bore high testimony to the character and position of Mr Pox and contrasted Mr Waterhouse \mfavorably witli him. Mr Yogel briefly replied, repeating that Mr Waterhouse was to the full extent Premier, and that the existence of the Ministry constitutionally depended on him. He maintained that the appointment was quite m accordance with precedent. Mr Fox defended Mr Waterhouse's appointment, and referred m eulogistic terms to his South Australian career. He declared for himself that, though out of office, he nad no intention of retiring from the House. His chief object m not taking office was to allow the introduction of new blood. After a few remarks from Messrs Luckie and Shepherd, the motion dropped. In reply to a question by Mr Kolleston, Mr Yogel said the Government intended to increase the jurisdiction of the Timaru District Court. Mr Stafford asked whether the present Government will construct the railway from the Washdyke to Temuka during the recess, as the late Government had announced its intention to do. In reply, Mr Ormond said he could do no more than as intended — to connect the line with the existing Canterbury ones as rapidly as possible.