all events would bare extended for some yeara longer, I think even the smallest particle of human consideration would have prevented you writing this letter and throwing upon me an imputation such as this paragraph conveys, I have simply not held meetings of the Council because I thought that not a single meeting should take place after such statements had been made without the Government being in a position to say whether they were correct or not. It was simply because I was absolutely unable in the time to finish the statement I was preparing consistently with performing the other work which falls to me every day that I have not held meetings. However, as I told you in my last letter, I had intended to hold meetings this week, and before I received this letter I had fixed on tomorrow. Now, my course is largely dependent on the result of this meeting. It is impossible to say what it may be, but at all events I have quite determined that I shall not leave the Colony without giving in some way the full statement I have prepared. As to opportunity for discussion thereon, that will be abundant whether I am here or not here.
Now with regard to not holding meetings you say a little further on ***
"They regret this the more as your Excellency's approaching departure will evidently "prevent the possibility of the discussion in "Council of any statement you may be preparing "on the subjects now under consideration."
Now you have rightly gathered that I am making such a statement, but it seems to me that my presence in this matter is a matter of very small consequence. It does not seem to me that my presence in the Council will in any way affect the matter because when you have from me my deliberate expression of opinion and the whole facts placed at your disposal you will have perfect liberty of discussion whether I am here or not, and even if you had not that liberty in the Council you can produce the same effect by giving your views to the public. You have nothing to do but to send them to the newspapers. The hon. member who raised this question of salaries writes out his speeches at length as is usually the case with all good speeches, and it seems to me that for all practical purposes he might just as well send them to the newspapers as read them in Council. And the other hon. members who have usually done little beyond agreeing with him, if they have not the time to write speeches themselves might simply express their more or less qualified assent.
I therefore do not see that there is any great loss in the absence of such a discussion in Council in the present hostile atmosphere; nor that there would be in any case advantage in my presence at it when I have already said all I have to say on the subject.
Then you go on to say:-
"It was very unfortunate that your Excellency was unable to be present at, and take "part in, the last debate in Council on the subject of official salaries and on the financial "position of the colony generally, and that, if there is any adequate reply to the arguments "put forward by Mr. Keswick, Mr. Whitehead, and the unofficial members generally, they "were not then put before the Council in any comprehensible shape."
Now, in the first place, it does not seem to me that it was in any way unfortunate---I think it was very fortunate---and when you have heard me further on the matter perhaps I may bring you, at all events partly, to see things in the same light. You must remember that there had been suddenly sprung upon the Government an issue that was entirely unexpected.
It would be quite easy to understand, however much one may disapprove, the position that you had voted certain salaries last October and that in consequence of the heavy military contribution you found yourselves in the position that you were unable to confirm this vote now. That would have been intelligible. But the issue now has been almost entirely changed. The military contribution has been left out or almost entirely left out of the question, for the withdrawal of these increases to salaries is now justified on the ground that the condition of the colony has most seriously altered.
A most miserable picture was drawn, and I venture to say that if that picture were absolutely true the present condition of the colony would be certainly serious. That is the issue that has now been raised. But I venture to say that the special causes of depression which exist now certainly existed with equal force last October. I think the facts I shall bring forward will show that there is nothing in the present position of the colony that did not exist then, and I think those who put forward this new issue did not quite consider that, or at any rate did not give it full consideration.
Now I venture to say, considering you are pleased to say you received no intelligible answer at the last meeting, or I think "comprehensible" is the word used, I may be allowed to point out that the issues started were wholly unexpected. And I think under these circumstances the replies received from the Acting Colonial Secretary and from the Attorney-General were very comprehensible indeed, and considering they had to be given on the spur of the moment, very creditable ones to the officers concerned. I venture on this point to differ from you entirely!
Now so far from being unfortunate that I was not present at the last meeting, I think it extremely fortunate. Why? Because had I been present and heard such serious assertions as those made by the hon. member I should probably have felt inclined to speak on the subject; and I should certainly have not been in the position then to make a statement of my judgment in the same calm and deliberate manner that I shall now, and I venture to say anything said on such a subject without extreme deliberation, and without the necessary statistics at command, would have been of very little value. I think therefore that it was fortunate that I was present. I cannot help thinking that the writer of that paragraph could not have fully considered the matter.
Moreover, I cannot think that if he had really thought over the matter carefully, he would have written a paragraph casting an unworthy imputation upon me, which, whatever may be the intention, it certainly does cast, viz. that I might have attended the Council, but deliberately did not.
Now, what are the facts? I presume members may have been influenced by two things. Firstly, you have seen in the papers that H. I. H. the Czarewitch paid me a private visit that afternoon. That is the one. And secondly you may have seen it stated that I could not have had much the matter with me as I took my usual drive.
Now as the matter has become public property there is no use in disavowing the fact that the Czarewitch did do me the honour to make a private call on me on that day, and when he warned me of his intention I venture to think that in the absence of reasons to the contrary I have been perfectly justified in not appearing in Council on that account alone.
It does happen, I say, that the Czarewitch did call and spend at Government House a considerable part of the afternoon; and he called partly with the very kind intention of enquiring after my health, which had been severely taxed a few days before, under circumstances known to some of his officers.
Probably under any circumstances therefore I should not have been able to attend. But it happens that his calling was not my reason for not attending. Early in the morning and before H. I. H. the Czarewitch's intimation reached me I had informed Mr. Deane that I was unable to go through such a severe ordeal as a meeting of Council would involve.
I think, gentlemen, you are aware, or at any rate some of you, which makes your signing this letter the more remarkable, that only two nights before that meeting, when I had a dinner party for the Russian Admiral, the British Admiral, the General, and a number of others, I was taken with one of those seizures to which I have been recently subject, and I was unable to leave my sofa and receive my guests.
Now, when you knew that I think you might have supposed that my condition for two or three days would not be such as to enable me to attend any such meeting as that, and that that was my reason for not attending the Council.
Now, the next paragraph says:
The unofficial members hope that your Excellency will arrange for at least two meetings of Council to be held before your departure, for the discussion you have so often invited of the position "and prospects of the Colony and its resources."
I have already said a good deal on the subject of discussion. When the military contribution was being discussed I twice invited discussion, which was declined, and in the statement which I intend to put forward I think I shall be able to give my reasons for saying with reference to this question that the question at the present moment is simply one whether the colony is in ...
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all events would bare extended for some yeara longer, I think even the smallest particle of human consideration would have prevented you writing this letter and throwing upon me an im putation such as this paragraph conveys, I have simply not held meetings of the Council because I thought that not a single moeting should fake place after such statements had been made without the Government being in a position to say whether they were correct or not. It was simply because I was absolutely unable in the time to finish the statement I was preparing con- sistently with performing the other work which falls to me every day that I have not held meetings. However, as I told you in my Ins letter, I had intended to hold meetings this week, and before I received this letter I had fixed on to- morrow. Now, my course is largely dependent | on the result of this meeting. It is impossible to say what it may be, but at all events I have quite determined that I shall not leave the Colony without giving in some way the fall statement I have prepared. As to opportunity for discussion thereon, that will be abundant whether I am here or not hore. Now with re- gard to not holding meetings you say a little further on ***
"They regret this the more as your Excel- "lency's approaching departure will evidently "prevent the possibility of the disenssion in "Council of any statement you may be preparing "on the subjects now under consideration." Now you havo rightly gathered that I am making such a statement, but it seems to me that my presence in this matter is a matter of very small consequence. It does! not seem to me that my presence in the Coun- · oil will in any way affect the matter becausO when you have from me my deliberate ex- pression of opinion and the whole facts placed at your disposal you will have perfect liberty of discussion whether I am here or not, and even if you had not that liberty in the Council you Ban prdonce the same effect by giving your views to the public. You have nothing to do but to send them to the newspapers The bon. mer. ber who raised this question of salaries writes out his speeches at length as is usually the case with all good speeches, and it seems to me that for all practical purposes he might just as well send them to the newspapers as read them in Council. And the other hou, members who have (nsually done little beyond agreeing with him, if they have not the time to write speechos them- selves might simply express their more or less qualified assent. I therefore do not see that there is any great loss in the abs meo of such a discussion in Council in the present hosted atmosphere; nor that there would be in any case advantage in my presence at it when I have already said all I have to say ou the subject. Then you go on to say:-
"It was very unfortunate that your Excel- laney was unable to be present at, and take "part in, the last debate in Conneil on the sub- 'ject of official salaries and on the financial "position of the colony generally, and that, if there is any adequate reply to the arguments "put forward by Mr. Keswick, Mr. Whitehead, and the unofficial members generally, they "ware not then put before the Council in any
comprehensible shape."
Now, in the first place, it does not seem to me that it was in any way unfortunato---I think it was very fortunate-and when you have heard Imo farther on the matter perhaps I may bring you, at all events partly, to see things in the samo light. You must remember that there had been suddenly sprung upon the Government an issue that was entirely unexpected. It would be quite easy to understand, however much one may disapprove, the position that you had voted certain salaries last October and that in consequsuos of the heavy military contribution you found your selves in the position that you were unable to confirm this vote now. That would have been intelligible. But the issue now has been almost entirely changed. The military ountribution has been left out or almost entirely left out of the question, for the withdrawal of these increases to salaries is now justified ou the ground that the condi- tion of the colony has most seriously altered. A most miserable picture was drawn, and I venture to say that if that picture were absolutely true the present condition of the on- lony would be certainly serious. That is the jasno that has now been vaised. But I venture to say that the special causes of depression which exist now certainly existed with equal force last October. I think the facts I shall bring for« [
ward
Bot
ward will shew that there is nothing in the pro- sent position of the colony that did not exist then, and I think those who put forward this new issue did not quite consider that, or at any rate did not give it full consideration. Now I venture to say, considering you are pleased to say you received no intelligible answer at the last meeting, or I think "comprehensible” is the word used, I may be allowed to point out that the issues started were wholly unexpected. And I think under these circumstances the re. plies received from the Acting Colonial Secretary and from the Attorney-General were very compre- hensible indeed, and considering they had to be given on the spur of the moment, very credit- able ones to the officers concerned. I venture on this point to differ from you entirely,! Now so far from being its unfortunate that : I was not present at the last meeting, I think it extremely fortunate. Why? Be canse had I been present and hoard such serious assertions as those made by the hon. member I should probably have felt inclined to speak on the subject; and I should certainly have not been in the position then to wake u statement of my judgment in the same calm and deliberate manner that I shall now, and I veutare ¦ to say anything said on such a subject without extreme deliberation, and without the no- cessary statisties at command, would Lave been of very little value, 1 think there- fore that it was fortunate that I was present. I cannot help thinking that the writer of that paragraph could not have fully consider- ed the matter. Moreover, I cannot think that if he had really thought over the mat- ter carefully, he would have written a para- graph casting an unworthy imputation upon me, which, whatever may be the intention, it certainly does cast, viz. that I might have attended the Council, hat, deliberately did not. That, J van÷ tors to pay, lets construation put on it by a large **Kitapiga að séu uokliu, abstinek meg" mu ald intention. Now, what are the facts? I presume members may have been influenced by two things. Firstly, you have seen in the papers that H. I. H. the Czarewitch paid me a private visit that afternoon. That is the one. and second- lg you may have seen it stated that I could not have had much the matter with me as I took my usual drive. Now as the matter has become public property there is no use in disavowing the fact that the Czarswitch did do me the honour to make a private call on ne ou that day, and when he warned me of his intention T venture to think that in the absence of
reasons to the contrary I
bave bean perfectly justitied in not appearing in Council on that ac- count alono. It does happen, I say, that the Czare. witch did call and spend at Government House a considerable part of the afternoon; and be called partly with the very kind intention of enquiring after my health, which had been severely taxed a few days before, under circum- stances known to some of his officers. Probably un- der any circumstances therefore I should not have heon able to attend. But it happens that his onll- ing was not my reason for not attending. Early in the morning and before H. 1. H. the Czure- witch's intimation reached me I had informed Mr. Deane that I was unable to go through such a severe ordeal as a meeting of Council would involve. I think, gentlemen, you are aware, or at any rate some of you, which makes your sign- ing this letter the more remarkable, that only two nights before that meeting, when I had a dianer party for the Russian Admiral, the Bri tish Admiral, the General, and a number of others, I was taken with one of those seizures to which I have been recently subject, and I was unable to leave my sofa and receive my guests. Now, when you knew that I think you might have supposed that my condition for two or three days would not be such as to enable mej to attend any such meeting as that, and that that was ny reason for not attending the Council. Now, the next paragraph says: The unofficial members hope that your Excellency will ar- rango for at least two meetings of Conneil to be held before your doparture, for the dis “cussion you have so often invited of the position "and prospects of the Colony and its resources." I have already ssid a good dual on the subject of discussion. When the military contribution was being discussed I twice invited discussion, which was declined, and in the statement which I intend to put forward I think I shall be able to give my reasons for saying with reference to this question that the question at the present moment is simply one whether the colony is in
very strong
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