DEFEAT AND RESIGNATION OF THE GOVERNMENT.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2388, 14 July 1866, Page 3

DEFEAT AND RESIGNATION OF THE GOVERNMENT.

(Wellington Independent, June 21.) After the adverse votes of the Provincial Council on Tuesday night, the resignation of the Government became a logical necessity. When the Provincial Secretary submitted certain resolutions to the House, relative to the Small Farm Association, he stated that the Government were prepared to stand or fall on thrco points, viz:— the size of the blofk, the price of the land, and its bona fids occupation by shareholders. The Council agreed that the block should be 30,000 acre 3in extent, and the price £1 an acre, but about the" occupation clauae a curious complication arose. The Government resolution was to the effect " that each member of the Association should be entitled to a Crown Grant at the expiration of twentyfour months after payment of the purchase money, provided lie shall have been in bona \fule occupation of the land for eighteen months out of the said twenty-four months." This was moved by the Provincial Secretary on Friday night, but singularly enough during the discussion that ensued, Mr. i Brandon, the Provincial Solicitor, expressed an opinion that the Government _ did not mean to enforce personal occupation, that I occupation hy a proprietor's agent would be j sufficient, and that the time specified might be reduced. The House accepted this concession with a little surprise, as it showed the Provincial Secretary to bo saying one thing and the Provincial Solicitor another, but ultimately, to prevent as ho said, " any I mistake," Mr. Bunny moved the following instead of the clause originally proposed : — " Each member shall be entitled to a Crown Grant at the expiration of eighteen months, after the payment of the said amount of purchase money, provided he shall have been in hona fide occupation of the land for twelve months out of the eightoen months, such occupation being by himself, his son, or his servant." It will be seen at a glance, that this clause, which was carried, meant something very different from that which had been originally proposed by the Government. Thoy meant to enforce bonafidc occupation and cultivation of the land by those persons who bought it as members of the Small Farm Association, whereas the amended clause only rendered it necessary that several members should join in paying a person to do some fencing and improvements ou their sections, without its being requisite that they should occupy the laud at all. Why My. Brandon made these concessions it is difficult to explain ; at all events he soon discovered that his opinion was entirely opposed to that of the Government, and he therefore tendered his resignation to tho Superintendent, which was not at the time accepted. This brings the story of the proceedings up to Tuesday, when Mr. Brandon on the report of the Committee on the Small Farm Association being brought, up, explained that having on the previous sitting expressed views which he afterwards feu id were at variance with those of the Government, he would now propose an amendment on the rules of the Association, providing that occupation of tho land should bo either " by the residence of the shareholder, or a son of not less than seventeen years of age." This stipulation, ho further stated, expressed the views of the Government. The Council, however, haviug already decided that occupation by a servant was sufficient, declined to adopt the change proposed and Mr. Brandon's amendment was rejected by sixteen to eleven votes. The Government as we have said before, were therefore defeated on a poiut on which they had distinctly announced their intention to stand or fall.

On another question of importance the Government were also beaten. When Mr. Halcorabe's proposal that all agricultural lands should in future be sold by auction, after survey, at the upset price of £1 an acre, and Mr. Borlase's motion " that no pastoral lands in the province shall in future be sold for less than 10s an acre, were under the consideration of the Council, Mr. Fitzherbert, on behalf of the Government, moved an amendment embodying both resolutions, but stipulating that no land of either kiud should be sold until after survey, and that the increased prioe should not come into effect till the Ist of January, 1867. The subject was fully discussed, the Government contending that in justice to existing applicants for land, the delay should be granted, and the opposition rejoining that if it were, an opportunity would be afforded for speculation, as during the next six months every^one able, would buy as much land aa possible. In the end the Governmentwere again beaten, Mr. Fifczherbert's amendments being rejectod and the origiual resolution carried, by 18 to 10.

In face of these adverse votes it was clear that the Executive could not carry on the Government of the Province any longer, and their resignations were therefore tendered to his Honor yesterday. The announcement made in the House last night, explains that their resignations were accepted and that Mr. Borlase a3 leader of tho opposition had been sent for, to undertake the task of formiug a new Executive. Tho House has been adjourned till Monday, to afford him an opportunity of so doing and we shall then hear how far ho has succeeded in his task. Whatever be the result of hi 3 efforts wo do not envy tho position of those who may succeed to office. The task before them is both onerous and difficult, and it remains to be seen how Mr. Borlase and his friends will acquit themselves. One serious evil they are responsible for— they have destroyed the Government Small Farm Association Scheme, by substituting for a clause insisting upon bon i fide occupation "by members of the Association, a provision which will not secure occupation at all. By the one plan the Small Farm Association would have been composed of actual cultivators and settlers, by the other what should be the real objects of such Associations will be entirely defeated.