THE HOUSE OF; REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1615, 6 September 1861, Page 3

THE HOUSE OF ; REPRESENTATIVES.

[Fron the Inpepejtdent, September 3.] We think it may hereafter prove useful to have a record of the composition of the House of Representatives, under the head of War and of Peace party. The division upon Mr. Richmond's motion was 25 for war, and 26 for peace. We give Dr. Monro, the Speaker, who did not vote, to the war party, making it 26 ; and we give Mr. Gillies, who was absent, to the peace party, making it 27. She total number of members is 53.

■ This statement shows that in this island there are for war 11 and for peace, 18 members. The interest of Hawke's Bay makes peace as desirable there as in Wellington. It smembers were animated by the fear that Mr. Fox would seek to re-annex that Province to Wellington, though he has introduced a Bill proving that he has no such intention. Without that fear doubtless the Hawke's Bay members would have voted with the peace party and then there would have been 9 for war and 20 for peace. Taranaki is in such an exceptional state, and has so committed itself to war, that its members may fairly be set aside, and if this be done we have 6 for war and 20 for peace. These figures make it evident 1 that the great majority of the members, under any circumstance, for this island, cannot be accused of causing or being parties to the cost, misery, and bloodshed that would be the consequence of renewing the war. They have, not forgotten religion and civilisation in the part they have played. No other province stands out so prominently for peace as Wellington. She does not give a single member to the war-at-any-price party, while Taranaki and Hawke's Bay are most unanimous in that party's support. Nelson has 5 for war and 1 for peace. Marlboroughl , " •• 1 " Canterbury 7 " "2 " Nelson and Canterbury show 12 for war and 3 for peace. All the Provinces returning members of the late Stafford ■ Richmond Ministry give large majorities for war. Otago has 1 for war and 4 for peace. j Southland 1 " •' 1 « Captain Fraser was begotten of accident. He did not attend the nomination with the slightest intention of becoming a member, but there was none to be nominated- — there was not even a seconder. He wished to see Auckland, so consented to have his name endorsed on the return. A messenger was dispatched who succeeded in getting a seconder, Captain Fra3er became an Otago member, is seeing Auckland, and has done his best to ruin the homes of this island. But for this accidental, return, Otago would very probably like Wellington, have sent up all peace members.

Mr. Dillon Bell, the Southland war member, lives at Auckland, is intimate, with the Governor and the late Stafford Richmond Ministry. It is well known that this gentleman is very susceptible to the influence of those with whom he is intimate. This was shown last Session, when he declared, in the House, that that the Native Offenders' Bill, if passed, would render this island uninhabitable, yet voted with its authors the then Ministry—so much for susceptibility; the fear of blood is not, when its eyes are closed with kindness.

The North Island has 11 for war and 18 for peace, The South Island " 15 " " 9 «

The North Island has 29 membors and gave 11

for war. The South Island has 2-1 members and gave 15 for war. — ■ —

53 2£ The peace party of this Island has 18 members. The war-party of the South Island has 15 "

3 majority of the peace party of this Island over the war party in the South Island.

It is a remarkable fact that it is not the majority of those who live in this island who have and bitter feelings against the natives, but those who live in the other island, as shewn by these returns. The maxim is reversed ; familiarity has begot respect and kindly feelings, while ignorance has produced hatred, its natural feeling. We suspect an examination of the division list would establish the facts that both talent and knowledge are possessed to a much greater extent by the peace than by the war] party, and experience would lead to the expectation of such a result. Let not j the South Island settlers say the North Island has dragged them, or was likely to drag them into a costly war, for these figures prove that.it is their own members who have declared in favor of wasting their means and bringing down ruin, misery, and.blood upon the heads of the people of this island. This should be kept in mind, for a general election may not be far distant, when the electors must confirm or repudiate the acts of their war members.

War. Peace. Total. Auckland (5 9 15 Taraaaki 3 0 3 Hawke'sßay .... 2 0 2 Wellington 0 9 9 Nelson 5 I 6 Matiborough .... I 1 2 Canterbury 7 2 9 Otago 14 5 Southland' 1 1 2 26 27 53