WELLINGTON.

Evening Star, Issue 3594, 29 August 1874, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

[By Electric Telegraph ] (From our own Correspondent.) August 28. In the Council, on the second reading of the Otago Public Works Advances Bill, the Hon. Mr Waterhouse said he did not intend to oppose the Bill. It contained no reference to the objectionable clauses which had led the Council to refuse to pass the s coud reading of the Bailway Bill; but simply provideo, that the Government should advance to Otago L 60,000, in order to enable that Province to complete the engagements entered into, aud which they found themselves powerless to complete without assistance from the General Government. They had doled out L 65.000 to Auckland, and when a piteous cry for help came from Otago the Council ought not to harden their hearts so far as to refuse them their entreaty. He had not anticipated at so early a period seeing Otago joining in the scramble for the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table which so long had characterised the other Provinces. It was quite clear that Otago, no more than any otber Province, could carry on on its own hook, aud the Colony must be prepared in a short time to assume the government of that Province for the same reason that it assumed the control of the Provinces of the North Island. It was nearly incapable of managing its own nuances without recourse 10 the Legislature for assistance. The agreement stated that the advances were to be nude upon such terms and conditions as would be agreed upon between the Minister for Public Works and the .Superintendent, and he hoped the result would be to bring about a better state of feeling between the Superintendent and the General Governmeut than now existed. They all knew the Superintendent had been restive of late getting his leg over the harness, and kicking somewhat viciously; but such gentle pressure as the Bill authorised, the Government to administer would, he hoped, bring about a better state of things. He could see no reason why, in spite of the existing differfckese two high contracting parties ibould not merge their difference, especially when this gentle pressure was brought to bear. He had little doubt that other oupermteudents requiring assistance would be much more moderate during the recess than they had been during the sitting of Parha ment, aeeiug tho conditions of assistance afforded were entirely under the control of the Government; but he could imagine the general principle on which th.s assistance would be rendered would bo the grand national principle—“ Scratch me, and 1 will scratch you.” Captain Fraser said the Hon. Mr Waterhouse was coming out in quite a new line. He was perfectly certain the people of Otago would repudiate the Bill, as he did. —(Laughter.) He denied that the Province could not c «ry on its works without assistance from the Colony. Tho present Government was about to behead tho Provinces prior to dograding them. Ho was at his heart’s cow a

Centralist, an.l would do away with the Provinces to morrow if he could see his way to form a strong C.-ntral Government, but be failed to see the men 10 whom he would entrust the interest s of the Colony. The Hon. Mr Campbell hop 'd the measure would pass, because it was absolutely necessary to meet works contracted for. tie 'ooked upon the Bdl as the death-blow to Provincialism. The General Government would soon have to take over the laud revenue o.‘ the Colony, localising a portion, and applying the remainder to the payment of Colonial indebtedness. That would have to be done ; it might be delayed a year or two, bub would be the ultimate result of the policy of the Government.

The Hon. Mr Holmes said that, looking at the management of the Colony, compared with that of the Provinces, he could fairly bury Governments w.;u d compare very favorsay the administration of theGcage andCanterably with that of the Colony. Ah abler Minister did not exist than tbe Superintendent of Otago. He was a man of large mind in public affairs—a man who could see what wou d make the well-beiug of the Province. and had the nerve to carry out anyfor its advancement He was not speaking as a partisan of the Superintendent, because he was more frequently opposing than supporting hi o, but ho must bear this testimony : that he considered him, as an adm nUtrator of finances of the Province, superior to any other man in the Colony. Although the day was not far distant when the Provinces would cease, yet Otago and Canterbury colonists had cause to feel gratitude towards those who administer the affairs of teeir Provinces. At the close of the last financial year, it had a ciedit of L 150.000, and considerable resource ; but, on the other hand it had a difficulty to deal with in regard to public works. It was a humiliation ior tbe Province to accept a loan on such terms. He could see no reason why the railways should be handed over to the Provincial Governments to be worked by them, until that not far distant day when the Colony would resume its powers on the railways, and work them for the Colonial benefit. The H«n. Dr, Menzies said the Hod. Mr Watei house’s remarks were only made for the sake of talking, and showed that his ignorance of the matter was wholly inexcusable in one who had held the first position in the Colony. Ihe Hon. Dr Pollen characterised Dr Menzies’s remarks as a threat that if the Bdl diil not pass, Otago, out of revenge, would disperse a large portion of her landed estate. The Hon. Ur Menzies said that would be the ouly alternative to enable the works to be carried on The Hun. Dr Pollen said Dr Menzies’s observations were the echo of the district. Remarks were being made outside which were very much to be regretted. He hoped the time would soon come when such Provinces would Cea-e to be perennuial The second reading was then agreed to. Captain Fraser and the Hon. Mr Chamberlain were the only dissentients.