THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Evening Star, Issue 4207, 21 August 1876, Page 2

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

At noon to-day a large deputation, comprising Councillors Mollison (who introduced it), Wright, and Isaac, Messrs Henderson, M.P.C., D. Hutcheson, E. K. M'Liskey, Robin, Rutherford, Guthrie, R. Wilson, Jas. Wilson, R. K. Murray, Sibbald, H. M'Neill, Wm. Wilson, J. Martin, Sligo, «Scc, waited upon the Mayor at his office, and requested his Worship "to fix a date upon which the ratepayers may assemble to record their protest against the Abolition and County feystem Acts, and to endorse the action taken by their representatives in the House of Representatives." Mr Sibbald explained that the deputation was the result of a consultation on Saturday afternoon between the promoters of the movement and the Mayor. The object of the former was that the ratepayers of Dunedin should be called together at as early a date as possible to consider what should be done to indemnify their representatives in Wellington as to the future steps to be taken in Parliament. He did not think that the promoters <had any intention of taking any other step at the present time, future action being left to the public meeting to determine.

Mr Sligo took upon himself to say a few words, as there did not seem to be anybody prepared to do so, While unprepared to see such a large meeting, he was pleased that it was so, as it showed that interest was being taken in the matter. At the present time he thought it would be sufficient to ask his Worship to call the meeting, leaving it to the promoters to fix the time and place.

Cr Isaac did not think it would be at all inopportune to get up a small discvssion on the Bubject before the meeting. It was well known that the question of the independence of Otago—of Separation— had been the subject of a long discussion in the Legislature, and he thought everyone would agree with him that it was very much regretted that the res >iutionß were lost.

Hia Worship : I am sorry to interrupt Mr Isaac, but I don't think it is quite the thing to discuss the question here just now. (Hear). We shall have an opportunity of having that out on the platform. question, but would say that at the present time the citizens of Dunedin, and he believed the people of Otago, felt alarm at the great changes that were going to be made ; and for that reason they desired his Worship to call this meeting in order that the question might be fairly and properly discussed, as no doubt it would be, when the time for doing so came. His reason for making these remarks -was because he thought it would be well if several gentlemen representing us knew what was the present feeling of the Province. Delays were dangerous, and the large attendance would show that the people were determined to make a Btand and have what was right and just for the Province. He felt sure if the meeting were called there would be a large response, and that the voice ©f the people was certainly very much inclined to have the independence of the Province of Otago.

His Worship : I shall have much pleasure in complying with your request to convene a public meetiug to discuss the present political aspect of the Colony; and although municipal affairs and ordinary politics are altogether distinct matters, stilllthink where the ratepavers of the City of Dunedin are so deeply interested as they are at the present in time the constitutional changes which are about to take place in the Government of the Colony, it is only right that there should be a very full and free expression of public opinion upon them. There ib no question but this is really the most critical time that has ever arrived in the Colony—when one plan of government is to give place to another and it only astonishes me that there has been such thorough carelessness, or I might say such oomplete lethargy on the part of the people of Dunedin in not having taken some steps before now of making their views known.-(Hear.) And, gentlemen, if you will be good enough, after the meeting that is to take place this evening, to let me know what night suit you best, and be prepared with your different arrangements for carrying out this public meeting, I will then consult your views as to calling the meeting. Mr Sligo remarked that it was understood that his Worship would be requested to take the chair at the meeting.—(Hear.) It having been incidentally suggested that the committee should ask the Mayor to allow their meetings to be held in the Council Chamber, His Worship remarked that it would be better to hold them elsewhere, and he went on to say that as amongst the citizens there would necessarily be some diversity of opinion on the subject, he would take the chair at the meeting, solely on the _ understanding that all sides of politics would be heard if they wished to go there to discuss the question. It was only upon that condition that he would agree to have anything to do with the meeting. The deputation then withdrew.