PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 2058, 9 December 1869, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

This Day,

The Speaker took the chair at te'o o’clock. After the usual preliminaries had been (rone through, it was announced that Mr James Shaud would move the reply to the message on Tuesday ; and Mr Gillies stated his intention to move that on the same day, His Honor’s message No. 2, be taken into consideration. The Provincial Trhasitrer stated that the message was forwarded to the Council irrespective of his Executive, and that they were quite prepared to give any explanations.

Next came a motion by Mr Hutchinson that the Standing Orders should be suspended to consider the propriety of providin'* means for reporting the debate on the Otago Hundreds Regulation Bill. This was supported by Messrs M'Diarmid, Thomson, and Moseley, on the ground that the paper that chiefly reported the debates was actuated by party spirit, and that it was necessary the reports should be full, and embodied in the form of a pamphlet. They complained that the reports in the Daily Time* were one-sided ; and that it was highly desirable there should be more accurate reporting. It was opposed by Mr Driver and Mr M‘lndoe, Mr Gillies defended the papers from the charge of ono-sidedness, on the ground that they had not space to give full reports. Ho did not think members in favor of the Bill should be afraid of opposing remarks, as they would have ecpial opportunity as others to express and record their opinions. He supported the motion on the ground that the subject was so important that a full report should be given to the country. The Provincial Treasurer opposed the proposition on the ground that no particular subject should be singled out for special report. He intended to addregs his own constituents, and would say what bo had to say to them. Mr Hutchison replied. Mr Burns, rising to a ppint of order, pointed out that the discussion was not on the suspension of the Standing Orders, but on the question itself. The Speaker very properly said that this was unavoidable, as, unless the value of the report was understood, it was impossible to decide upon the suspension of the Standing Orders. The question was put and declared carried ; a division was called for, but it was not pressed, and the House went into Committee. Among the incidents of the debate, was the announcement by the Speaker that as long as the doors were unlocked members could leave. Several took advantage of the hint and made their escape. " In Committee, Mr Thomson ag chairman. The mover of the resolution made a trifling alteration in the terms of his motion, referring the arrangements to the Printing Committee. Mr Reynold s made a few remarks, shewing the cost of reporting the debate, and stating that it would be far greater than he thought the Committee would feel justified in committing the Council to. The debate flagged for some time in Committee, everyone being rather laken by surprise. At length Cantain M'Kcnzie rose and pointed out that m all probability the motion had been suggested by the editor of some country newspaper, who could not afford the expense of a reporting staff to get reports. He objected to it cn other grounds. It was a party question, and there was no security that the reports would lie accurate. If the motion were adopted, tbo reports shou’d be corrected by the speakers, and the corrections accepted right or wrong. Were it otherwise, he should feel very nervous in speaking. He did not know that he should oppose the motion, as there was a party who were dotermned to secure their ends by any stratagem, One member of the Government especially seemed inclined to adopt the course that lie once condemned The Secretary of Land and Works, taking into consideration the action of the Daily Times, which bad taken a decided position on the questions under consideration, thought it would be bettor to have full and fair reports, lie thought his opponents were not anxious to have _ a faithful report. He said, as it was intended to ask an amendment of the Hundreds Regulation Act, whether it was not right that a fair report should be given. At least two-thirds of the members of Otago were connected with interests affected by the Hundreds Regulation Act. It was desirable to publish the arguments in a pamphlet form, so that the Assembly might be acquainted with the views this Council held. He thought on those grounds the cost would be well incurred. Mr M‘lndoc would support the motion, on condition that the railway scheme should be added, for the more the question of the Hundreds Regulation Bill was discussed, the more certainly opposition died away. The only other condition was that the reporters should give the speeches verbatim, for he objected to members correcting their own speeches, or employing a schoolmaster to do it. If; would bo one of the best possible exhibitions of talent. iSlr Reynolds objected to the Secretary of the Laud and Works commenting as he had done on the connection of the members for Otago with the pastoral interest. He read the names of the Otago members, and shewed that only four Messrs J. Cargill, H. Driver, C. Graham,

and D. Mam, were connected with the squatting interest. This brought up the Secretary of Land and Works in a fume, who read the names of a number of persons not in the Council, but in the Province, who were connected with it. The motion was carried in Committee, and reported to the House. It was then proposed by Mr Thomson, and seconded by Mr J. L. Gillies, when Mr MTndoe pointed out immediate arrangements must be made, as the member for Waikari (Mr Driver) had a notice of motion which must come before the House to-day, and that the debate would lay bare the policy of the Government on Railway matters. If that were the case the Government would consent to postpone the question. The Government were before the Council to answer for there conduct, and they would not consent to have less than a fair investigation. The resolution was passed without a division. [Left sitting.]