SEPARATION DEBATE.

Evening Star, Issue 4193, 4 August 1876, Page 2

SEPARATION DEBATE.

The House of Representatives met yesterday evening at 7.30, and after disposing of preliminary business, Kr George Grey moved bis resolutions in a long speech. His main arguments were that the Government proposals were not acceptable to the people; that they were forcing upon the country petty institutions without having given fair warning; that" nothing could be fairer than his proposal ,tbat each Island suould manage its own affairs ; that nothing was more likely to restore the credit of the Colony ; and that the people of the Colony ought to decide as to the exact form of Government they would have. In the course of his speech he said that the finances of the Colony were in a moßt disastrous condition; that the Native Department was corrupt; that the Natives generally were dissatisfied with Sir Donald M'Lean; that the Government were setting up a new Province where Tawhaio reigned supreme; that the Civil Service was monstrously overgrown; that the constitution of the Upper House was a großs injustiee-to she Colony; and that the increase given in representation last year was given with » view to increasing the ranks of Government supporters. He strongly objected to Civil '. ervants being in the Government, as in Dr Pollen's case, and referred to Sir J. yogel'B expenditure while at Home as extravagant. In conclusion, he denied that his resolutions would affect the unity of the Colony. The struggle was one of civilization, culture, and happiness against wealth and degradation. Personally he did not want ofiice—he would be satisfied to secure for the people the priceless boon of freedom.

The Premier characterised Sir George Grey's speech as wild, visionary, and unworthy of an answer. The resolutions were . exude and unintelligible, and the interpretation necessary had not been furnished by the mover. There was in fact nothing "to answer, and it was- scarcely likely that the people would part with the Constitution they had until they kuew what they were going to get. The change proposed by Government was clear, and had already been affirmed; and it was in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution, as it had always been understood that Provincialism was temporary. The Counties of - the future would be greater than the Pro- " vinces of the past. He twitted Sir George with the absence of all details in explaining 'his" resolutions, and compared the attitude - he took with that of tie present.He was ardeut in iufl ' defence of the civil servants, and maintained that t)r Pollen had been a valuable public officer "to the Colony. He reiterated that the carrying of the resolutions would lead to Reparation. He believed that many of those who would vote for the resolutions would rather cut off their right hands if they thought Sir George Grey would be placed at the head of affairs. -He declined to discuss the reference to his expenditure while at Home, saying that Sir George had a very ignoble idea <>! the public men of the Colony in thinking money was their chief motive. He defended the Upper House, saying it did not deserve f the aspersions cast upon it. As ,to.,the financial position of the Colony, there .was , no occasion to be ashamed, provided the whole truth was told. Here the expendi- .j lure had been immensely reproductive. Mr Reynolds 1 announced' that he wonld vote for the measures, but on that occasion.

*is tytßpfom *«t mst*r with &• gentlemen on the Government benches. Mr Tribe strongly opposed the resolutions, and the debate was adjourned on the motion of Mr Bees at about 1 a.m.

ABOUT THE LOBBIES. (From our Special Correspondent.) Wblungton, July 4. Last night's speeches were very disappointing. Sir George Grey rambled more than ever. While denying all intention of being personal he was so in the extreme, attacking, Sir Julius Vogel and Dr Pollen with much fierceness. He characterised the former's expenditure, in England as a disgrace to the public Service, and alluded in scathing terms to the latter'* subserviency. After drawing a picture of misery with Starving mothers and children, while extravagance was prevalent in the administration, he proceeded to sketch his proposals, but indulged in his usual platitudes. The happiness of the human race was again referred to, and a threat made to resist by all means the attempt to force the constitution on tbe people without their consent. He claimed that more than half the people in the Colony are in favor of his resolutions. Sir Julius Vogel was less effective than usual, but he did not spare Sir George Grey. He warmly—rather too much so defended Dr Pollen, and manfully stuck up for the Civil servants, saying they worked as well as and were worse paid than those in other Colonies. Mr Reynolds goes South to-day.