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Wellington Independent, Volume XXVII, Issue 3630, 16 October 1872, Page 2

The privileges of members of the Legislative Council were most improperly infringed yesterday. At the commencement of the sitting of the Council Wi Tako and Mokena, the two native members of the Council, were sworn in, but during the afternoon a division took place, and upon that occasion the native members were requested to withdraw ! It is true that no authorised interpreter liad been appointed, but the Hon Mr Mantell, who had acted in that capacity at the ceremony of swearing in, might very well have been requested to explain to the native members the nature of the question under debate, and thus enabled them to exercise their proper right of voting. The reasonableness of the proposition is strengthened by the fact that the Council accepted the Hon Mr Mantell's interpretation of a speech delivered by Wi Tako. Yesterday afternoon Mr Yogel took out whatever sting might be supposed to lurk in the motion which Mr Stafford is to move on Thursday. The Treasurer took occasion to observe that although lie had himself assumed the work of forming the Government, Mr Waterhouse had co-operated with him in the negotiations, ancl that as Premier he held and enjoyed without limitation all the rights and privileges of a Prime Minister, the remaining members of the Cabinet, himself (Mr Yogel) included, occupying the usual subordinate positions. Mr Stafford's query, Avhether upon the death or resignation of the Prime Minister the Cabinet would be ij)so facto dissolved, was also answered in anticipation by Mr Yogel rather wittingly observing that one of the rights and privileges of the Premier Avas that upon his decease or resignation the Ministry would be dissolved. It is rather hard to tell what event is most anticipated by Mr Stafford's party, the death or resignation of Mr Waterhouse. According to presont appearances, cither would be acceptable to them, but it is satisfaefcor}*- to persons of otlier ways of thinking to know that one event is as far off as tlie otlier.