WELLINGTON.

Evening Star, Issue 3584, 18 August 1874, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

[Btr Electric Trlboraph] [Ftom our oum Correspondent.) tut » August 17. Mr Keevea, in commencing his speech. !^Vi Xt r mely nervous, and said it was de* sirabk to say a few words explanatory of the position he was taking, especially as it was alluded to in the House. He wished it to be understood he was in no wise con* nected with party, and would bo perfectly frank with them. It was true he had been requested by a gentleman representing a large and important section of the House to propose a resolution, partly because for a long time he had been a steady supporter of the present Government, but more especially because it was well known by all who were acquainted with his views on Provincial institutions that he held moderate and consistent views on the subject. When he first sat in that House, in 1867, there was a debate on Constitutional changes, and it was considered from the peculiar character and condition of the Colony that, until the population was larger and more settled, Provincial institutions were absolutely necessary, and no better than those at present in existence could be found. His views were unaltered, and chiefly for this reason he was invited to introduce au amendment. Mr Wood had stated that he was impressed with ambition to nil the Treasurcship. ne had a juster seuso of the modest character of his abilities than to be so actuated. The Government resolu tions were a revolutionary change of the Constitution of the country.—(Loud hisses r , B . e Z? during which were cries of Chair. ’) It was important to know how the proposal was brought forward: whether it had received at the hands of the Government the consideration it deserved. Either the Premier had no intention of effecting those changes, or, conceding he had, he was misleading the country, or had brought in the resolutions on the spur of the moment. He refused to believe the Premier was actuated by duplicity, but the statements showed it to be the result of a sudden humor. Was it meet that so lame, impoteutand shameful a conclusion should be made known to ihe world, as that the Coleny has no greater security for its privileges than dependence upon a Premier’s tits of temper ! he people of the Middle Island received the proposal with no satisfaction, because it meant passing away their land fund. The hon. gentleman created great laughter by saying it was well known that Southland would gladly, at the present moment, extinguish Otago, and little less amusement when he said the Taranaki members did not represent the feelings of their constituents. He strongly defended provincialism, and T ! he e^ec * i the resolution on Ihe .Middle Island. When Ministers were asked where they found the money, their answer would be, on meeting together, that in one * part of the Colony it was the result of local taxation, and the revenue of the other was supplied at Colonial expense. Such a system was wholly incapable of either being arranged or kept up in a district. The consequence would be a financial, if nob a legislative separation. Another consideration was, that at the present time it was extremely desirable for the credit of the Colony no divisions should be created. He was satisfied the Colony would infinitely rather piefer to pay riaoney & it had done to support impecunious Provinces, Than have such sweeping changes as thie reform proposed. He ridiculed the' idea of the 1 Conatitution Bill being successfully altered at a lew days’ notice, and thA plan of action dot vised in fifteen minutes.' He derijed that ttis Superintendents interfered with the Colony. Tae proposition of the Government was too ridiculous to be considered, and would result iu the most disastrous failure if attempted. There was no necessity to confirm the seat of Government or the middle Island in possession of their land fund. He, for one, placed no particular faith in it when he found the Premier flung principles to the winds. The rest of the middle Island required no protection in its strong possession, and strong divine right of wise and just beneficent administration. So long as he could he would oppose a barrier to the Premier’s ambition or greed. He would' fihd an 'impassable barrier, simply because it was founded An justice. He concluded thus : I have endeavored to shew the resolutions are mischievous and danfeerotis to the Colony, (fed that they are ! introduced in haste, under feelings of irritation. Although they really strike at the root of our institutions, they are introduced at a very inopportune time, because I believe their effect will be to produce considerable political discord and disunion throughout the Colony. It is inopportune to raise such a question when it is desirable that settlement of the Colony should proceed expeditiously; when Government should have peace iu carrying out the details of a policy w. ich was still only in its inaugural stages—which was still an experiment requiring a large sum of money to meet its requirements. The prodigal wAi not called for by the voice of the people id any part of the C olony; It was therefore inexpedient. Parliament has no moral right to deal with the question, having been elected for a totally different purpose; without any intimation, large constitutional changes are likely to be carried out. The resolutions, if carried out, must involve the Colony in confusion of finance'if not in Legislative confusion, and I have conclusively shown that the crude plan the Premier had brought down was totally unfitted to carry a satisfactory form of Gbvernmeht. Holding these opinions firmly and strongly it naturally follows that it is best to dispose of the resolutions by moving the previous question, which 1 trust may be carried, and so consign the measure ttf'tbe obscurity from which it never ought to have emerged, ;,f The debate on the abolition of the Provinees was resumed by Mr Beeves,' who made a poor speech, hesitating very much at th« commencement, but warming up as he proceeded. He concluded by moving the previous question. Mr Murray has given notice of a further amendment. The previous question having been moved no amendment can be put. ft is tolerably well ascertained that the Government have a majority of over a dozen. Mr Harrison is against, and Mr Shepherd is in f avo r of the Government. Major Atkinson spoke id favor of the resolution* but mainly answered VBS ’ , Mr spoke against, Mr M Gilhvray for, and Mr Thomson against the motion when the hour of adjournment arrived. Mr Stafford is due here to-mor-row, and is expected to make a strong speech in favor pf the resolutions. The debate is expected tp lsst jib* l best part of the week. The division will takO 'placJ about hnday. Mr Maeandrew will move the adjournment this evening. The galleries of the House were crowded this afternoon and the utmost interest is manifested. It ia possible the majority may be larger than was anticipated, because the amendment enables members to shelter themselves behind it and to say they had not opposed the proposal, only the time is inopportune. r * * Mr Vogel is instituting inquiry into the leaking out of the official information me* tioned in the Star correspondent’s letter. .Hr T l><®ißon charged the Government with V>"s«t o£-dilution over the 2Si. on the Government to state whether or not the Governor promised them a dissolution, a long pause, lasting several

minutes, occurred, amid cries of “ Question !” Just as the Speaker was about to put the question, Mr J. L. Gillies got up and made a speech in glorification of Otago, which can make railways and roads better than all the Provinces of the Colony put together. It was an insult to common sense to say the North Island only was affected by the resolotions. It was surprising that the Premier, with a slavish majority at his back for years, should now cmplaia of too much work. The effect of the resolutions would be that Parliament would have to sit ten months. It placed the Legislature in tho hands of capitalists y and he was inclined to give Auckland a share in the cus* toms revenue, rather than see Provincialism abolished. If they gave Otago her consolidated revenue, the Colony was welcome to her land revenue. He opposed the resolutions because they were revolutionary. He himself believed Provincialism most die, but not yet. Mr Macandrew at 9.25 moved the adjournment, which was negatived. The Maori members created much amusement. Takamoana opposed the resolutions. There should be two Parliaments, he said, one to make money, and the other to dispute with the Maoris, because until the latter died off, their troubles would not cease. Katene thoroughly approved of the resolutions. If members were not members of Provincial Councils, they could see it was a proper resolution. He desiied to see the General Government alone eating the flesh of the Colony. Mr Reid complained of the levity •f the debate, and urged if a charge was desired it should come Irom the people. The Premier should not lay hands rashly in a Ht of ill-temper, on a constitution framed by abler men than were in the House. Many who were prepared to vote for the resolutions did not think Ministers bound to support the Bill or its details. He held if they supported the resolutions they must snpport the Bill. Tampering with the constitution was dangerous, and might cost more than money. Our institutions were not incapable of improvement, but it was impossible to improve on the Provincial system. He created much amusement by reading M r Vogel’s celebrated speech in 1868, in defence of Provincialism. The scheme must end in failure, and he therefore opposed it. At 11.30 the debate was adjourned to this afternoon. The Government go on with no other business until it is finished.