the importance of dealing with
the action of
of the
the Unofficial
members by the light of what
I have shown to be the real
2xeous
and motives that have
inspired it.
I have the honour to be
My Lord Marquees
Your Lordship's most obedient,
humble servant
Williain Robinzez
576
1101
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY ON THE POSITION Hon. Ho KAI-Sir, I rise to order. I do not know whether the hon. the Colonial pero. Is he speeking to anything ou
OF THE COLONY.
The COLONIAL SECRETAKY—Sir, the orders | tary is in order. of the day having been disposed of, I beg leave any order of the day ?
18 EXCELLENCY-No, the orders of the day
to move the adjournment of the Council, and take the opportunity to make a brief statement have been disposed of. but he is quite in ordr which will uot detain the Council more thin s in speaking to the motion for the adjournment few minutes. In speaking to the Soppy Bill of the Council on any matt r which does not in Committee I observed that while it was my touch the orders of the day. desire to treat the soffi tal members of thi The COLONIAL SECRETARY (reenning)-[ Connell with all possible courtesy, still certain was saying, ie, that the hon. member who allegations having been made in the Finance represents the Chamber of Commerce may Committee and in the Committee of the perhaps recollect that I also observed that Council which were not justified by facts I was almost tempted to ask whether the and which were emitently calculated to unofficial members
were really in earnest; prejudice the credit of the colony at and ng impression that the reasons for their singularly inopp rtune juncture. it was my action were different from these ostensibly ad- imperative public duty to state the real facts and raneed has been strengthened by a considera. so repair asar as I could the injury which the tion of the persistency with which, in connection credit of the colony had received through the se-with this question of the reduction of salaries, tion and statements of the official members. he has dwelt upon what he is pleased to term the Had I out d ne so to the best of my humble fortunate mistaks committed by your Excel- ability 1 should have consulted my own ease leucy in not seceding to his request for the ap and my desire to accid herting the susceptibili pointment of a retrenchment committee. He ties of the unofficial members, but I should have dwelt on it in supporting the motion for re- failed in my dufy. Sines then the matter has daction in the Finance Committas, be recurred been very fully discussed in the local press, and to it in speaking to the same motion in Com- it must be a gratification to this Compeil aid to mitree in Concil. I cao only infer that all who take an intelligent interest in the welfare there is some connection, not very apparent of the colony to find that the position which I at first sight. b-tween the two motions-I endeavoured to establish rewaits not only secure | osu his motion for the appointment of bat practically unassailed, Leaving on one sile a retrenchment committee and the motion a good deal of personal abuse of myself which | for the reduction of laries and that he has no bearing on the question, not even au al-; uten s to eavey that if the former had been tempt has been seriously made to traverse my granted the latter wou'd not have been nude. arguments or to challenge the accuracy of my That is Ricult to understand. The contention figures. I had shown that the general indica- of the aue eisl membors of Council was that tions pointed to the oondition of the community the finareal condition of the Colony was such as taken as a whoh, being sound and progressive, į to require the immediate reduction of certain and in particular I had shown that the reregne salaries Now, either this was the case or it was instead of dwindling had steadily increas d. that not the case If it was the case it was the up to date it bad more than sufficed to meet the hon. member's duty to move or support a motion ordinary expenditure of the o luy, and that for for the reduction, amongst other measures, and 1893 the very cautious and moderate estimate of the fact of your Excellency's having acceded to revenus showed a surplus over the unusually bis previous motion. if you had done so, could large estimate of ordinary expenditure for that in nowisa absolre bim from that duty. Os year. That was the state ment which it was my the other hand, if it was not the case. I duty to make, and that statement the Council fail to see how he con'd be justified in injur will be glad to find remains absolutely unshakening the credit of the colony merely be It has in fact received some corroboration from can:Be your Excellency had declined to the mention of the fact that as regards the only accept his previous motion. No amount of in branch of our trade which we have any direct į vestigation by a retrenchment committee could means of measuring-that portion, namely, of ar alter the actual facts of the financial position. trade with hina which comes under the notice of Those facts it was perfectly easy for him to the Commissioner of the Imperial Chinese Mari- ascertain for himself without the aid of a y time Customs--that officer's returns show that retrenchment committee. I am very reinciant to there has been a decided incre-se; and from the credit that either without having taken the mention of the fact that it is a matter of common trouble to ascertain them, or in spite of hav notoriety that if our proposed loan were offered ing asc stained there, if he did so, he was locally the whole of it would be readily taken satisfied to injure the credit of the colony out of up on the spot. The hon. member who repre- | pique at your Excellency's having refused his sents the Chamber of Comunroe may perhaps previous application. It will give me very grat recollect that I also bserved that I was almost pleasure if he can suggest an alternative explaun- tempted to ask-
tion, for at present I am unable to place any