TELEGRAPHIC PARLIAMENTARY. (Daily Southern Cross SPecial Corrispondent ) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Waikato Times, Volume VII, Issue 352, 15 August 1874, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC PARLIAMENTARY. (Daily Southern Cross SPecial Corrispondent ) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Great commotion and surprise are envoked by the Hon Mr O'liorke's action. It is considered by some as a most plucky and unselfish tiling to do, inasmuch as he gives up his Ministerial position on the grounds of adhering to principles. The motive, it w said, may be right, but the manner is generally condemned. To suddenly rise on the Ministerial boncii, and without any warning to his colleagues, to make the speech he did from those benches, is generally condemned. It is agreed that he should have nsigned when his motion was announced, and not to have remained in the Ministry with this spacch bottled up, and attending their meetings without giving intimation of his intention not to follow the Premier, and, on the Ministerial bench, to speak agamat the Government, and the policy, and charge Mr Vogel with concealing in his armoury the treacherous dagger with which, as he (Mr O'Rorke) said Mr Vogel had stabbed the provinces. There is a general censure of what is considered the unfahne^s of the act, which took the House as much by surprise as it did the Ministry, although from the l applause with which Mr O'Rbrke was greeted from [some of the knowing ones of the Opposition it is believed that it was well known in certain quarters; indeed the Evening Post of this afternoon stated that Mr O'Rorke would resign this afternoon. As a matter of fact, the resignation was not sent until nearly 6 o'clock. The '-Ministers were completely surprised, so much so that Mr Vogel said to Mr Richardson when Mr" O'Rbrke began to speak, '• What is he talking about?" Mr O'Rorko affirmed that he had said nothing of his intention to a living soul, and that is deemed a great cause of dissatisfaction, inasmuch as he ought ■to -have told his colleagues. Some suspicious people say that the whole affair is a portion of the outcome of Mr Macandrew's plotting, which was to make Mr Reeves— who has gone gone over to the Opposition—Premier, with Mr (JiUies and anyone else with whom he could ally, himself. As Mr Reader Wood last night drew a bow at a venture when he said Mr Reeves was the projected Premier of the hopod-for new Ministry, and it was a marvel to behold how Mr Reeves opened his mouth and how Mr Macandrew expanded life eyes as this arrow of Mr Wood's made a centre." As plain as looks can speak, both Mr Reeves and Mr Mapandrew said, " How the deuce did you know that." Mr Macandrew was also coquetting with .Mr Wood, and begged him to take the leadership of the Opposition and they would rally round him. Mr .Wood did not see it. There is a Constitutional custom in a retiring Minister making his parting speech from the Ministerial benches. Some six years ago Lord Salisbury and some of his colleagues, in leaving a Ministry did the same thing. Mr Foster, the Education Minister, when his colleagues earned an amendment on the Education Bill, of which he had his wishes, left office in a like manner. This case, however, has been considered in Cabinet, and was duly tabled, and it i 3 thought that fair play to his colleagues should have induced Mr O'Rorke to have notified his intention. His action has provoked keen criticism. Such a burst of parliamentary eloquence none expected, and it was too theatrical for this daily life. Many people regret that O'Rorke should have sacrificed no much, and deplore the split, as he had many friends and was personally well hked. A split has been produced amongst parties, and a long and keen fight may now be looked ' for. Mr Sheehan will move tc-night, if an opportunity presents itself, <• That the present state of the law as regards the sale of latfd for non-payment of rates is very unsatisfactory ; and that the Government should consider the matter during the recess, with a view to the introduction of a measure by which the remedy against land for unpaid rates may be rendered more simple, cheap, and efficacious. It is very generally reported in Wellington that the Opposition will at the last moment assist the Government in carrying the Abolition of Provinces resolutions. It is believed that this course will be taken to prevent the threatened dissolution of the House, which many would wish to see postponed for another twelve months, Avhile the struggle can be made against the measure when submitted to the House next session.

(Per -Amjlo-Austrauan Tklkobai'h Agency.) The Protection of Animals Act 1873 Ainendmeni Bill was called on for second reading. Mr T. B. Gillies opposed the Bill as giving powei to Superintendents to say that pheasants or anj other kind of animals are not game, thus over-rid ' ing all the Protection to Animals Acts) and the powers of the Assembly. Major Atkinson shewed the necessity of grant mg such powers, as in some districts pheasants had become so thick that if peoplo are not allowed te kill them the settlers will not be able to grow any grain. • . Several members corroborated the statement that in -many parts of Auckland it was not birds but settlers that wanted protection. Mr Bluett suggested that that there should be a law of trespass, that game should be considered to belong to the person upon whose land it was, and allow him to kill them within certain months of the year on the payment of a small fee. MrT. B. Gilles doubted the accuracy of accounts of the destructiveness of pheasants, and moved that the clause be amended by inserting the words "with the cousont of the Acclimatisation Society." This was negatived. A clause was added, making it penal to sell or purchase. The Bill was reported with amendment. m, . r Thursday. , Ilus afternoon the Premier aunounced the receipt oi telegrams from England anouncing the break down of the California mail service, Mr Forbes in London, proving himself quite unable to cany out the contract. It is doubtful if Mr 11. 11. Hall would do so, and arrangements were trying to be made with the home shipbuilders. The matter, he said, might not turn out as bad as it looked. Tho Premier rose, amid applause, and introduced his resolution. He said the action the Government was now taking had been caused by the debate on 1h 3 i oreat Bill. The figures which came out showed the enormous amount of expenditure on the North Island, which came directly or indirectly out of the colonial purse. This made a great impression upon him. There was some doubt as to the sufficiency of the arrangement for the North Island for this year also in the following year. It had been some time apparent to hjm that the Government was compelled to finance not only for itself,' but for some of the provinces. Considering the subject, he arrived at the conclusion, that there must be one province or no province at all for the North Island. He had long felt that some largo change was necessary. To enable the North Island to be properly settled' and its works carried out on a large and comprehensive plan, the General Governmcut would be obliged to undertake a large share of that work It would be impossible to carry out these works amonost the jealousies of local legislation. It was made clear that it was better at once for the Government to be its own financier than the Financier-General for so many Governments. He had become so thoroughly sick of this invidious position, that lie preferred* the whole question should be lough t out, and a plain

understanding arrived at. The hon member for Parnoll, who h:id given the subject great consideration, had proposed to bring down resolutions, but the question was so large that it was better to make it in a Ministerial one. It was only the moderation o' r the Government itself, not the fear of opposition, which induced them not to bring down a bill, but simply the resolutions. During the three years ending June 30th, 1874, there was spent in the island out of the colonial funds £2,387,000, while the whole provincial revenue, including the land fund, amounted to only £447,000, These figures showed it was impossible the Government could delegate such large spending powers with any justice to the ratepayer of the colony. He referred to the motion of the member for Rangitikei in years of stagnation that superintendents should take charge of the public works. Well, anything at that stagnant time was better than the way things were going. But the relations of the General Government with the provinces now were entirely different. He would ask them to look at the map of the North Island and see the amount of roads and works maintained. The divisions of the island were not suited politically or geographically, the only object ar! parently being the distribution of political power among a few persons. He admitted more suitable men could not be got to carry on the affairs of the provinces of the North Island; but they were obliged to confess that their efforts were fettered by the respective jealousies of each other. But it was the financial relations of these provinces which was the real ground of complaint. Year after year they had to come down with devices for enabling them to cany out their functions, and constantly to make their roads, and bear other charges out of the consolidated revenue. Was l.we to be no end of this"! He flatly denied having designs upon the local lands revenue. But it was high time the North Island should meet the expense of its public works out of its land revenue, and get the system of finance adjusted. The hon gentleman detailed at length the amount of the various public services, and the amount which the Government assisted as capitation allowance brought out the evil strongly. The total cost of the North Island services last year was £58,000, while the capitation paid by the colony was £88,000. The appropriations for the present year were £89,000, whilst we are proposing to give a capitation allowance for the year of £93,000. Was it not the duty of the Government to insist upon certain duties to be carried out, notwithstanding the powers or means of the Provincial Governments, It seemed to him the divisions of revenue should be the following : local revenue, the goldfields revenue land revenue, and the revenue of the colony. The land should be appropriated to pay interest on the debt, and executing the public works, such as liarbours, &c. The other le venue should be employed for local purposes. It was not intended to impounc the revenue of any province. There was nothing ulterior or sinister concealed. They merely con sidered it advisable to assume the control of thos( functions, which should be properly performed. H( meant by local government that, when they alteret the present system, they would introduce a systen of local control to place in the hands of the people The Timaru system might be advantageously intro duced, and the naturally defined districts of th< North Island seemed to lit it for that. It was als( desirable that there should be only one land law instead of four. It was time one comprehensiv< land law should be brought down for the whol< colony. With respect to dealing with existing Super intendents, he thought, in regard to one at least his life-long services should entitle him to a pro vision for life. He did not consider any compensa tion was called for to the Executive. Othei Superintendents could be paid to the end of th< terms ot their office. With regard to the compac of 1856, any departure from that would be dishonest and any arrangements to be made regarding th< North Island must be in accordance with thai compact. Owing to the feverish dread of Otag( and Canterbury, that their lands would some daj be attacked, they were realising them as fast as pos sible. lie thought in Otago and Canterbury the;; did the work of the Government well, and if th< people were satisfied with the way their local affair; were administered, they could see no menaces ii these proposals. Why should not Auckland childrei be educated as well as those in the South ? Tin North spent 8s lOd per head in educating theii children, and the South spent 16s 6d. Either on( was extravagant or the other was Avretchedly off The gaol and other services of the one cost 10s 6c per head, and the other 19s 6d. To the objectior that the work was too much for the Government he thought they could get on very well with a Re sident Minister at Auckland, and Government Agents at Hawke's Bay and Taranaki. Without be ing more extravagant he thought it would be mow efficient than the old plan. It was an undoubted fact that the gaols and lunatic asylums of the North Island were a disgrace to the colony. Education was very sadly behind. All of these services were carried on by a succession of expedients. He looked on the provinces of Nelson and Westland as having a good future before them on account of their mineral resources. The time had come to look thoroughly into the whole of the goldfields question. By giving to the North Island one province they would remove all provincial jealousies, sjciu-3 the efficiency of its services, and carry on the Public Works policy without opposition and with facility in adjusting the finance. When the Government obtained a cession of this island, and missed its land revenue, they would find they could carry out the functions and duties of the Government more effectually. Nature probably had never been more bountiful in gifts to any other Island than the North, which could support a larger population than the Middle Island. He considered that the present proposal might have been properly brought down four years ago, when the Middle Island was asked to undertake the important works it did. On such a great question as this the Government would not be satisfied solely with the expression of the opinion of the House. (Hear.) He denied that he had changed his opinion, or that anything of a personal or ambitious nature induced him to take this step. It was solely upon public grounds that the Government voluntarily undertook so large and difficult a struggle, and which might lead to the severance of political alliances which had lasted for years. But the question, he felt, must be for the good of the country, and he faced it boldly and at once. (Applause.) The Hon Mr O'Rorke made a personal explanation, and wished to say that he had been no party and could be no party, to such a scheme. Had he voted for it, he would deserve to be called a base political traitor ; and although there were eminent political apostates, he was happy to say that he could not imitate them. If the scheme was earned out it must result in failure. He could not alter his political opinions in the twinkling of an eye. He would never have joined the Ministry if he had thought his hon colleague had in his capious armoury the dagger to stab the political life of Auckland. The resolutions contained as much as it was possible to condense of all that was offensive to Auckland. He had no personal grounds for any objections against any of his colleagues. He had always been courteously treated by the Premier, who had entered upon a voyage of which no man could see the end. (Loud applause from the Opposition.) The Premier said he owed the House an apology for a member of the Cabinet making such an exhibition as his colleague had done. He had never by a single word intimated to himself, or any of his colleagues that ho disapproved of the policy of the

Government Mr O'Rorke's speech was quite a surprise to him. Mr Reeves moved the adjournment of the debate until Monday.