HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1742, 19 July 1862, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wednesday, July 16, 1809. The Speaker took the Chair at 5 o'clock . minutes. The Minutes of the Monday's sitting having been read, Mr. Carleton rose and said he did not think they ought to be signed in their present form, i The correct form of proceedings was simply this, that tbe Speaker took the chair at a certain hour, read prayers and retired from the chair by general consent, without question put, till the Governor had arrived, and then at any time afterwards, when it was intimated that His Excellency waa prepared to address them, the Speaker should take the chair again and proceed with business as though it were all one sitting. Their adjourning from day to day was he argued altogether null, tho Speaker had no power to put the question, for if they could adjourn at all they might do so for month or more aud so baulk the Governor of addressing them. The minutes were therefore informal and lest they should be drawn into a precedent, the House should, he thought, direct, them to be altered, or refer them to the Standing Orders Committee with that view.

1 The question being put, that the Speaker sign the minutes, it passed in tho affirmative. PETITIONS. Mr. A. J. Eichmond presented a petition from the Nelson Board of Works. Petition received. Mr. T. Russell, presented a petition from a number of inhabitants of the Province of Hawke's Bay, having reference to Mr. Colenso's case, and praying for an investigation before a Committee ' of the House as to the operation of the Civil Com j missioner's Court where Europeans are concerned. Petition read and received. PAPEKS. The tollowing papers were laid on the table by Ministers : — Return of all the European and Native Officers appointed to the various Districts by Orders in Council — shewing the names, officers and salaries. Papers relative to the pnrchase of the Coromandel Gold Fields. Return of the number of Militia, Volunteers, &c, in the Colony on the 30th June, 1862. Further Paper 3 relative to disallowance of Provincial BillsFurther Papers relative to military defence, (military road parties at Taranaki.) Despatches and correspondence relative to the legality of the " New Provinces Act, 1858." Papers relative to the re-organization of the Taranaki Militia. i Papers relative to the re-organization of the i Wanganui Militia. Further Papers relative to the apportionment ] of the public debt of the Provinces of Wellington and Hawke's Bay, (in continuation of Papers pre- * wnted on the 18th June, 1861). < Further Papers relative to Governor Sir George . Grey's plan of Native Government. ! Commissioner's Reports : — Mongonui, Taupo, I East Cape, Bay of Plenty, Bay of Islands. * Return of Officers in tho service of the General 1 Government of New Zealand. i Return of Officers in the Service of Provincial ( Governments of New Zealand. j Military Defence Committee. ' Mr. Dillon Bell desired the Speaker to inform j him what course he ought to take with l-eference to i the minutes of the Secret Committee of Military \ Defence committed to his charge at the close of *i last session. ' The Speaker said that it appeared to him that i as the Committee .was a joint Committee of both 1 Houses, the Legislative Council should in the t first place be consulted with. t

Miner s Franchise,

Mr. Gillies a.ked the Ministry, whether it was the intention to propose to this House any amendment of the Miner's Franchise Act, 1800.

The Hon. Mr. Fox replied that the Governwould as early as possible propose some measure on the subject to the House.

Air, Gillies asked Ministers whether it was their intention of the Government to introduce any measure for increasing the number of Representatives of the Province of Otago in this House, or otherwise for redistributing the representation somewhat more in accordance with the present population and interests of the respective Provinces.

Tne Hon. Mr. Fox replied that the Government were prepared to recognise the claims of Otago to an increase in the number of its members, if it could be done without disturbing the relative proportions of the other Provinces. This question being dependent on the first, when the Government had made up its mind on it, they would decide what was necessary with regard to ttie present question.

Death of the Prince Consort. The Hon. Mr. Fox briefly moved and Mr. Bell seconded the following Address to Her Majesty : —

Most Gracious Sovereign, — We your Majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects, i the House of Representatives of New Zealand in > Parliament assembled, humbly take the first op- ] portunity of offering to your Majesty our sincere ] condolence on the afflicting dispensation of Provi- | dence with which your Majesty, and the British ; Empire have been visited, in the death of His I Royal Highness tho Prince Consort. We beg < most respectfully to assure your Majesty of our * heartfelt participation in the general feeling of i sympathy with your Majesty under this calami- < tous bereavement. We would also express the I deep sense entertained by us of the irreparable loss i which the Umpire has sustained in the death of a 1 Prince, whoso tender attachment to your Majesty, * eminent virtues and high attainments, — unceas- • ingly devoted to the best interests of all classes of i your Majesty's subjects — won for him general love , and admiration, and will cause his name ever to l be held in grateful and efl'ectionate remembrance. < \ve have not failed to offer up our earnest prayers to I Almighty God that He will comfort and sustain < your Majesty under this heavy affliction, and that I we may long enjoy the blessings of a reign with i which the welfare and happiness of all your Ma- I jesty's dominions are so intimately associated. ■ On the motion of Mr. Fox, ordered that an ad- ] dress be presented to His Excellency, requesting ■ him to forward the above addross to Her Majesty, i Private Bills Committee. \ Mr. Carleton moved that Mr. Russell, Mr. ' Gillies, and the Chairman of Committees be appointed members of the joint Committee of both \ Houses upon Private Bills. Carried. Standing Orders on Private Bills Committee, i Mr. Carleton moved that Mr. Speaker, Mr. I Brandon, and the Chairman of Committees be appointed member*) of the joint Committee of both Houses upon Standing Orders concerning Private i Bills. Carried, Standing Orders Committee. [ Mr. Cakleton moved that a Select Committee on Staning Orders be appointed. Committee to consist of the Hon. Mr. Fox, Mr. Brandon, Mr. Domett, Mr. Gillies. Mr. Russell, and Mr. Cracroft Wilson, CB. Carried. House Committee. Mr. Cuacroft Wilson, C.8., moved that a House Committee be appointed for the Session, with power to confer with auy similar Committee of the Legislative Council, with a view to promote the convenience and comfort of members of both Houses, to consist of Mr. Domett, Mi*. Fitzherbert, Mr. Carter, Mr. Dillon Bell, and Hon. Mr. Henderson. Carried. Crown Grants Bill. The Hon. Mr. Crosbie Ward, moved for leave to introduce a Bill to facilitate the preparation and issue of Crown Grants. Leave granted, Bill read a first time, ordered to bo- printed and read a second time on Friday. Crown Lands Commissioner's Powers Bill. The Hon. Mr. Crosbie Ward, also obtained leave to bring in a Bill to confer certain additional powers upon Commissioners of Crown Lands. Bill read a first time, ordered to be printed and read a second time oa Friday. Committee of selection on. Private Bills: on the motion of Mr. Jollie, the following gentlemen were appointed to form the above Committee . — Messrs. Fitzgerald, Weld, Nixon, and Carleton. Private Grievance Committee. On motion of the same Hon. member a Private Grievance Committee was appointed, consisting of the following gentlemen: — Messrs. Brandon. Gillies, Man tell, Fitzherbert, J. Cracroft Wilson, C.8., Weld, Ormond, R. Graham, and Hon. Crosbie Ward. Strength of and Resignations in Volunteer CorpsMajor Nixon, moved for a Return showing the strength of Volunteer Corps in the Colony, on 15th Jan. 1862. and on 30th June, 1862, respeo- ■ tively. , . i Also, for a Return to 30th June, 1862, showing the number of resignations iv those Corps ufctder

the provisions of the Volunteer Regulations, dated 16th Jan., 1862.

Motion agreed to. Leave of Absence to Mr. Moorhouse. On the motion of Mr. Fitzgerald leave of absence was given to the Superintendent of Canterbury for a fortnight.

Library and Printing Committee. On the motion of Mr. Bell, a Library and Printing Committee was appointed, consisting of Messrs. Fox, Wood, Fitzherbert, Stafford, Domett, O'Korke, Caileton and the Speaker.

Reply to His Excellency's speech: As Mr. Fitzherbert was about to move the Address printed below.

The Speaker remarked, that the course about to be pursued was different from the conrse taken at home and from that pursued last session. , It was desirable he thought, that their practice should be uniform with that of the House of Commons. The first motion would then be a resolution, that an address should be prepared in reply to His Excellency's speech. A committee would then be appointed to prepare the Address, who retired for a few minutes, as a matter of form, and returned with the Address, which was then read a first and second time, and then agreed to by the House.. Several opportunities were thus afforded, of giving full consideration to and amending the Address. It was desirable that these constitutional safeguards against hasty resolutions, should be imported into their practice here.

Mr. Fitzhebbebt said he quite coincided with the Speaker's view, and would move accordingly, — " That this House do resolve that an Address be prepared in reply to His Excellency's Speech.'* He regretted for many reasons that he had been called upon to perform this task, for he was confident that there were many other members who would have performed the duty in a manner more satisfactory to the House and certainly more satisfactory to himself. It was with great feelings of diffidence that he appeared charged in this duty, for it involved a difficult position and made one feel a sympathy for that ill-used and very easily imposed upon class of persons, — god-fathers and god-mothers. He felt very much in the position of one of those individuals towards the Address, and if he failed to tio justice to all the beauties of this first-born of his hon. friends on his right, he would leave it to those to whom the paternity belonged to come to the rescue and be enthusiastic in its praise. He proposed himself to offer some observations on the various paragraphs of that speech with which His Excellency had favoured them. On th© subject touched upon in the first paragraph (the death of the Prince Consort), he believed he should best accord with the wishes of the House by not offering any observations, especially as it had already been touched upon. Every inhabitant of these Islands would join with them in deepest sympathy with Her Majesty for the irreparable loss sustained by Her, and by the nation at large ( Hear, hear). The next subject touched upon was one of most deep and present importance to us. The appointment of Sir George Grey to undertake the duties and responsibilities of the Government of this Colony a second time, and at a critical juncture, was indeed a noticeable circumstance. A deep debt of gratitude was due to the Imperial Parliament for giving the Commission, and to His Excellency for having accepted so onerous a commission, (Hear, hear). If doubts had arisen in the minds of any colonists in these Islands at th c first announcement of that appointment, such doubts were rather to be taken as an indication of that jealous love and faithful guardianship of our Constitution, without which the vitality of a free couutry under whatever broad and free constitution it might rest, would soon become extinct. Any such doubts must however have now been entirely allayed and removed by a perusal of the papers which had been laid on the table of the House, in every line of which appeared a most jealous regard for the constitutional position in which this colony was placed. Their perusal showed to his mind most clearly that no single step had been taken without a reference to the fact, that Representative Institutions not only existed in this colony in name and on paper, but also as having a reality to which His Excellency made constant reference and showed a constant desire to work in conformity and in unison with the representatives of the people, as in Parliament assembled in New Zealand. This presented to his mind a matter of the greatest possible congratulation — and one which called forth the response that they also would be ready to act in unison with the representative of Her Majesty. As these papers had but recently been laid on the table, he might be pardoned if he adverted to one or two despatches exhibiting the constitutional view to which he had referred. His Excellency on 19th October, 1861, in a despatch to the Duke of Newcastle, said with reference to memoranda by Mr. Fox on the applicability of the existing form of government to the circumstances of the colony, " Your Grace will I am sure peruse these papers with great interest and will agree with me in thinking that the calmness and moderation of the views expressed in them at a time of considerable excitement are very creditable to the inhabitants of New Zealand, and afford every hope, &c." The style of No. 3of the enclosures referred to was very significant to any hon. members jealous of constitutional rights. It commenced thus, — " Ministers are aware that the question has been raised, and may be raised again how far the form of Constitutional Government bestowed upon this colony by the Imperial Parliament inj,1852, is adapted to its present circumstances and whether a suspension of the Conatitution might not facilitate the adjustment of the difficulties of the present crisis." Ministers then went on to show the inextricable confusion that would arise from such a course and it was in reference to this memoranda that His Excellency made the remarks before quoted. Nothing could bo more satisfactory to the House than lo be made thus aware of the loyal manner (so to speak,) in which our institutions were to be upheld. The next three paragraphs of His Excellency's speech touched upon a subject of the highest importance and one which had in previous sessions engrossed much of the time of the Legislature, and had no doubt caused a great difference of opinion (aa every difficult question must) not only in the Legislature, but outside of it. He need scarcely say, that he referred to those " unsatisfactory relations which have grown up between a portion of the Maori race and the Government." No doubt that was a theme which if it were either desired or desirable might lead to considerable discussion. But however that might satisfy any individual desire of distinction or of triumph, he for one declared most emphatically that he desired entirely to confine himself to the present and the future, and leave the past so far as animadversion waa concerned, or any of those disputed points ; em. piratically he would say, v let the dead bury their dead." Ho would no more desire to enter upon auy historical, political or party discussion than ho would approve of firing on a fitigue party sent out to perform the last obsequies for their fallen comrades. But so far as concerned the present and immediate future in respect particularly of the relations that are now subsisting and thosa which it is proposed should hereafter subsist by law as between the European inhabitants and the > Natives, and between the Natives for governmental purposes inter se, that was a subject to which their very particular attention was invited. Taking that practical view he must, say that the perusal of the papers referred to in the fourth paragraph had afforded him, for the most part, (for he was under no obligation of approving every act of a Ministry, because he was called upon to move the Address), the most infinite satisfaction, and he hoped the House would be prepared to give "great credit where it was due,.fbl\ the information contained in soma of these •aocurpenta. His Excellency said, — _*My hopeofsucise^s resta mainly (under Divine Providence), on the .COoperatioa and support which I may receive iw»

fi*«*jifin ii'»iii>,ii K'liMi'h'i ifeiiS^^iwga^jWA^aMgMS^^ the colonials, and the resources you may place at my disposal." No doubt it was a great part of the question, and the financial bearing of the pioject being a kind of speciality belonging to this branch of the Legislature, its aspect was most satisfactory. His only doubt was lest he should form too hasty a conclusion. The tilingappeared almost too good in a financial point of view. The estimate of His Excellency for carrying out the propobed plan amounted to about £49,000, and how was it proposed to meet that special expenditure? In a Minute by His Excellency, Nov. 29, 1861, he said,-—' The expenditure proposed to be incurred for introducing such a system of Government amongst the Natives may he stated at (say) £50,000 when the proposed plan is in full operation ; but by that time a considerable part of its cost will be defrayed by local taxation. Ultimately, it would not only defray its cost by local taxation, but leave a considerable sum in aid of the revenue, applicable for the administration of justice, local improvements, or such like charges upon tlie whple, I think it may be safely calculated, that in about 7 years, it will defray its own cost and 3 r ield some surplus revenue, besides giving a stimulus to the productive energy and to the development of the resources of the colony, which will largely increase its commerce, trade, and general revenue. I consider it so essential for the safety of the colony, and for the prevention of the impending general war, that this plan should be brought into operation without further delay, that I will incur, as I have already stated to Ministers, the responsibility of foregoing on behalf of the Imperial Government, the cost of half tho expense Of the proposed plan from the Colonial contribution of £35,000, towards the cost of maintaining British troops in this colony." There could be no doubt then on this subject. These words were plain, clear, and intelligible. The expense was to be £50,000, one half of which was undertaken to be defrayed out of the Imperial contribution, and some .£26,000 having been voted by the House on former occasions for "" these purposes, and it appeared to him that there would be something to the credit of the colony, for the speciality to which he had referred. He dare say most hon. members had Heard rumours, wonderful stories of reckless expenditure, that was to take place in New Zealand, in reference to the natives, in which the hopes of many a promising young (and old too) mind had been engaged thinking it was only to go and ask for a Civil Commission.rship, and put £500 a year in his pocket. The figures bafore the House did not bear out any such golden expectations. If any such ideas prevailed, the following minute would set them at rest. '• Ministers have read and considered His Excellency's memorandum of the 29th Nov. 1861, relative to the cost of the proposed institutions for the government of the natives. Assuming the annual cost at that stated by His Excellency, and that half of that amount is already provided by the colony for special native purposes, Ministers consider His Excellence's offer to enable them to provide the otheihalf by appropriating to the Native Service the colonial contributions towards the cost of the Imperial troops as liberal and satisfactory. It will be necessary, however to work in with His Excellency's plans the amount already appropriated, partly by civil list, and partly by special Act, so as to make ifc available for the maintenance of the new machinery. This may prove a matter of some financial difficulty; but as it will be some time before the system contemplated by His Excellency can be generally introduced, there will he opportunity gradually to adapt it to the existing arrangements. Ministers do not shrink from the responsibility, of adopting plans involving i so large an expenditure — on the contrary, they : consider that circumstances absolutely require it, and required also that the emergency < should be faced at once. It would be idle to attempt the solution of existing difficulties by proposing plans for the social improvement of the < natives dependent on possible votes of the General Assembly. But his Excellency must not misapprehend the extent to which Ministers can pledge the colony in a matter of finance. They can and will recommend to the General Assembly to make the requisite provision for the intended object, and they can and will stake their own position as Ministers, on the Assembly adopting this recommendation, but they have no constitutional power to. bind the Assembly before hand." lie entirely subscribed to sucli doctrine, Ministers had in that respect acted iv a constitutional manner. It was a matter of congratulation that the proposed arrangements were likely to trespass in so light a manner upon .our revenues. So much for the financial aspect of the question and as they should he best consulting the convenience of the House by not entering into minute criticism of the details of the scheme, but. briefly summarised they appeared to him to be these ; —To take certain irregular meetings styled runangas, which had a kind of" traditional force and influence on the native mind, as a kind of basis, give a direction to them by the appointment of Europeans to preside and direct, to bring- them from irregular assemblies under the force and direction of law; to enable them to pass certain bye-laws for tho better police and social arrangement of themselves ; to constitute legal tribunals in which the natives themselves should take part; and also, to introduce certain reforms as to tho management of native reserves — the issuing of Crown Grants— the individualization of native titles— and the sale of land by natives. He would not go into the question of detail between the Governor and Ministers, though on some points he inclined rather to the Governor's views. The main question of whether such a scheme was likely to succeed in practice was a matter which he m*ust leave to the opinion of those who had a more special knowledge of the Native people, customs, and the state of the Native mind than he could pretend to; but it was an experiment worthy of trial, and if the financial aspect was advantageous, the political aspect he contended was not one whit less satisfactory. However unpleasant it might be in any couutry to deal with these specialities it was a duty which it was impossible they could shirk from whilst they' performed their duty. The one thing which appears to him most requisite was to give a sufficient time for the working of the scheme, — not to press it on too quickly. Much also depended on the energy, ability and fitness of the peculiar instruments appointed to. carry out the administration of the scheme. _They had the ri>rht man in tho right place, and appointed at the right time in His Excellency the Governor, and he hoped the same fortunate selection would be made in appointing the right men in the right place, at the right times in carrying out these institutions. If not, his hope of their success would be materially diminished. He had faith not only in our English institutions, but in the right-minded character of Englishmen, that whenever they had a duty to perform, however much they might grumble and say they would not go on, somehow or other they always did go on, (Hear, hear). His attention had lately been drawn to an article copied from our colonial press, that does so completely express what he would say if he could say it so forcibly and so well that he would take the liberty of reading it to tho House, -' To us and to our children, it seems not too much to say, this Native problem has been given as a solemn trust and that, not for the benefit of the Native race only but for our own. For sure we are that the faithful and earnest attention to the solution of this problem will react for ourselves, whether it be through peace or whether it be through war, lifting our national mind out of the petty incidents connected with our own race, and educating us for that stand among the nations of the world, which these islands must one day take." On this part of the subject it ouly remained for him to remark on the status de facto of the countty. What was our present position with the natives. Not a position of war, nor could he say it was a position of profound peace, but it was a position, which he for one, was thankful to be able to record." It had been a position of peace, in fact

or the last twelve month?, and yet without in any way conpromishig the dignity ot' the British name, or without in any way truckling to the natives. For a period of twelve months they had been in peace aid they could only appreciate that inestimable luessing by turning their attention for a moment to what thuir position would have been if insteid of peace it had been a period of war. He could speak for his own constituents that thc3* were very grateful that it had not beon so, for had it been a period of war, not one of them would now have been in an independent position. As to how far that, period of peace was to last it wa*s not for him to say. He could not perceive that the dignity of the British name was to be compromised, but on the contrary the most careful regard was shewn not only to the existing claim af the European population, but also to their prospective position, and even to the most doubtful mind the following part of his Excellency's speech, must be full of real assurance on that point. "At the same time " I am not unmindful of what is dne to the Euro- " pean population which relying on well known " treaties aud guarantees, had made this country *• its adopted home, and is entitled to expect that " progress of colonization should not be unnecas- " sarily or improperly obstructed." He pinned his faith on that and believed it would be carried out. The next subject was ono of particular interest, viz., reference was made tothe contemplated loan of £100,000, a portion of which has been anticipated, in forming a road in the Auckland district to the banks of the Waikato. A more wise or pm dent step could not possibly be taken. The only , thing that lie took cxeeyu'oii to ou tin's topic Was I the amount, which he would rather should have been J_ L, 000,000. for making roads through the ' I country. As it was one of those questions in which economy is the greatest extravagance, and whilst it was a well known saying •* that civilisation goes I on wheels," it might be as truly said that peace goes on wheels. There was that peculiar geographical construction of this Northern Island, that there was a great central portion and when we had a ministry bold enough, looking far enough into the future and economical enough to be so extravagant on this point, as to make a great highway from the port of Auckland to this port, when that great work should have been completed, independently of any peculiar Native disturbances, as a matter of course, would die out without military interfence other than that here referred to in the speech. There never could be auy solid durable peace till that great work was done. If in the great centre of this land, instead of a few straggling Europeans, there was settled a great mass of European population it would solve a great many problems which now present themselves, and would be for the lasting benefit of both European and Native races. A most remarkable lesson touching on this point might be learnt in this Province. Travelling up the East Coast he saw deserted pahs, chapels built at considerable expense tumbling into ruins, neither Native minister there nor any other, he looked in vain for natives, and saw one or two wretched old men crawling out of what by courtesy might be called a whare, yet the climate was admirable, the land fertile, the reserves ample, what then was the reason of this wretchedness. Tho absence of Europeans among them in sufficient numbers. When he came nearer to the vallies of the Hutt, there he saw natives of the same tribes, riding on carts and horses, going to the butchers shops, consulting the doctor, wearing trowsers and coats, and also those inner garments so necessary to life, living in boarded houses, their wives going to and from markets, singing, happy and fat. While in the other place he saw them crawling and abject, and lie asked tlie house to solve tho the problem. Here tliey came amongst us, and behaved as well as any gentleman could, sat at our table, and indulged in the comforts and luxuries of civilized life, while the others lived scarcely like human beings. Jf there were in tlie open part of tlie Northern Island a great European Settlement, the natives then would have all these advantages, as contrasted with* those on the East Coast, and everything of tlie character of war would be at an end. The next subject was our Volunteer forces, he did not know any of the Bills intended to be introduced on that point, but he considered the Ministry were quite right in encouraging and developing the Volunteer system of self defence that, had been in so remarkable and successful a manner developed at home. The Bth paragraph referred to the great, and at one time, unexpectedly rapid developemcnt'of the Middle Island, perhaps soon to be followed by a similar developement in the Northern Island. In the particular details to be proposed, ho was willing to give ministers credit that they were willing to follow out good constitutional principles, trusting that they would bear in mind the existence of the Provincial Governments. The SteamjPostal Service was next mentioned, a vexed question, and one of those on which people naturally enough choose to have their own peculiar views. He had read the lleport of the Postmaster General and ie appeared to him a very able lleport, recording a great number of excellent and practical reforms. There was the Surveyor of the Contract Mail Steamers, proposed by a former administration, the increase of the number of steamers employed from three to seven, tlie prepayment of letters by postage stamps, the abolition of the system of paying out of one pocket iuto the other, in stamping Government letters, and lastly the introduction of the Money Order system, all these reforms showed the great activity there had been in this department, and if in the distribution of the increased steam communication every province-* could not be served according to its own views, the problem was almost impossible of solution. He was not prepared to say the arrangement was perfect, the centre of the islands being left in a great measure without direct communication. By the help of the House however, some modification might be made to remedy this. A great step had at all events been made, in advance, for which ministers deserved every credit. He much regretted that it should be impracticable to re-organize the inland post between Wanganui and Taranaki. There might be good reasons for that. Time however he supposed would prove a curative. He saw in this report a principle recognized which was fundamentally wrong. He concurred '-in the importance of establishing frequent communication between all the provinces, for governmental as well as postal purposes ;'' but the next paragraph recognized as a point of equal -importance, •■ the desirability of maintaining and improving, if possible, the strictly commercial and passenger advantages rendered to the several parts of the colony Oy the Contract Steamers." Now he thought this was not a thing to be arranged to suit mercantile interests. He hoped the day waa not far distant when the Telegrapic communication under Cook's Straits, a very important and useful work for Government purposes would be accomplished." The next paragraph referred to the loss of the White fiwan, a matter which was mixed up with so many subjects of congratulation, that one lost Bight of the loss itself in thanklulnessfor the wonderful preservation of life. The panic which seized tho people when the news arrived was very great, some weak minded persons deploring the fate of New Zealand, so many vessels wrecked on our coast, always having something happen at the wrong time, and ready at once to sink down to their fate. A country without storms was no country at all, storms had baen the preservation of our nativo land, and they had a great many advantages, although we might not see them at the time. It was very unbecoming every time the wind blew, or tho earth shook to say "Oh 1 wish 1 had not come here." (Great laughter.) Tlie conduct of the ministers ho believed with regard to ihe £10,000, voted last year for native purposes had been exemplary. Ho had reason to believe that that gum had not been to any material extent exceeded. If that were tho case, credit was due to the ministers, for not having on their own anthority, loosened the purse strings prior to consulting this House. The next subject was cognate to that, and he admired the plain way in which it was put. A plain answer was

I required to a plain .question The little 1 Jill of tho I Home Government against us amounted to about -£190,000. He humbly conceived that it was not according to tho spirit of this Assembly to repudiate any of their just dabts, and he'believed it was far better for them to trust

to the fibcraliiy and generosity of the British public and Government which had done so much for us, had been at such considerable expense in rearing this colony and protecting it, and if neccs'sary would extend still farther its aid, and that th?y should not enter upon this question in a niggardly or haggling spirit, but throw themselves upon the generosity of that Empire which had ever shown itself most generous. Thft was the most likely way to asve undue expenditure and preserve ourselves from the character of repudiating our just debts. They were now invited to undertake a legislative duty such as had never been offered to any other colony situated as we are. He knew of no colony ' blessed with Represcntive Institutions that had had so great and noble objects offered to its consideration as this Native question. The large sum in which we were indebted to the British Govern- I ment, and the great advance shewn by the Census J proving that we were emerging from a state of infancy into a state of adolesence, our thoughts ought to be large and expanding in proportion, and we shonld not confine ourselves altogether to mere, " parishbusiness." The Home Authorities would be vory much guided by the statesmanlike views and regard to humanity which the House showed on the question. Inthe eleventh paragraph he had no doubt the house would sin- | ccrely join. He had thus endeavoured to do justice to the principal features of the first-born to which he had been invited to stand god-father. Taking His Excellency's Speech as a whole it was well calculated to enlist tho feelings of the House, in the first place, a the policy promulgated to the Natives, appeared consistent with that here enunciated, a great point which all assemblies looked at, and in the second place with respect to _ the principles -enunciated, inasmuch aa the uniform charatteristie of it was a regard for the constitutional privileges of New Zealaad, he tendered to them his thanks for that, and he did so with confidence. Viewing the speech as a whole, without further remarks he begged to move, — " That an Address be prepared in reply to His Excellency's speech, and that a Committee be appointed to prepare the same — consisting of the Honorable Messrs. Fox, Henderson, Wood aud Ward." Mr. Williamson had great pleasure in second • ing the motion. The question having been put and carried, the Committee retired and presently returned with the following Address, which having been read a first and second time was agreed to : — May ir i-lease Youu Excellency, — We, Her Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the House of Representatives, in Parliament assembled, beg leave to return our thanks to Your Excellency for the Speech which your Excellency has made to both Houses of the General Assembly. We unite with your Excellency in an expression of sorrow for the death of His Royal Highness the Prince Consort, — in the full appreciation of his private and public worth, — and in sincere sympathy with her Majesty under this great affliction. We offer to your Excellency our congratulations on your re-appointment as Governor of New Zealand, and wo gratefully recognize the motives which have induced you, at considerable personal sacrifice, to undertake the arduous duties of that office in a time of great emergency. We assure your Excellency that itis our earnest wish to be able to co-operate with yourself in securing the prosperity and advancement of both Races in these islands, and that any measures laid by your Kxcelleney before us with that object, shall receive our most serious consideration. We express iv common with your Excellency, our great regret for the loss of the steamer •' White Swan" on this coast, while bringing many members of the General Assembly to attend tho present session ; and our unfeigned gratitude to Almighty God for the providential preservation of the lives of all on board. We also cordially unite with your Excellency in thanking those who offered generous hospitality, and gave valuable aid to the persons who were shipwrecked. We sincerely pray, togethet with your Excellency, that the Divine Blessing' may support your Excellency in the execution of your duty, and guide our deliberations to the attainment of the welfare and happiness of all hcr^Majesty's subjects in New Zealand.

The Hon. Mr. Fox then moved, " That the Speaker accompanied by the mover and seconder present the Address to Ills Excellency at 11 o'clock to morrow." Motion agreed to.

The House then adjourned at a -*■• to 8 o'clock