THE CONVENTION.

Evening Star, Issue 4276, 9 November 1876, Page 2

THE CONVENTION.

At the evening sitting last night it was announced by the Chairman that 46 letters and telegrar s had been received ; of these 22 were refusals to attend. The refueals were —Mr-Piah", M.P.0., Palinerston Mayor, Bluff FTarbor School Committ-e, Oretißoad Board, Port Chalmet 8 Grammar School Committee,. Invercargill Mayor, Alexandra Town Council, Oanuru Mayor, Wm. G. Steward, M.P.C., Riverton Mayor, G. K. Tnrtou, M.P.C., Lawrence Town Council,-J.- A. B-.. Menzies, M.L 0. and M.P.C., V. Pyke, M.H.R., Cromwell Mayor, Queenstown Mayor, Roxburgh Mayor, M Leonard's School Committee, Riverton School Committer, Invercargill Road Board, Invercargill School Committee, Clinton School Committee.

The regrets for non-atteudan-e were-from Switzers School Committee, Teviofc (George Ireland, M.P.C.), B'ackstone Hill School Committee, Macraes fcchool Committee, Waipori Public Meeting, Waipori School Committee, Queenßtowu School Committee, Ophir School Committee, Roslyn Bush (Southland) School Committee, Arrowtown School Committee, Myross Bush School Committee, East Invercargill Mayor, Makerewa Road Board (Southland), Naseby Mayor, > aseby School Committee, Flag Swamp School Committee, North Clutha School Committee, Owhiro School Committee, Lime Hills Scho 1 Committee, Cromwell School Committee, Ravensbourne School Committee, James iJazlett, M.P.C., A. Kinross, M.P.C., A venal Mayor," Marewhenua Road District. PETITIONING FOR THE GOVERNOR'S RECALL.

Mr De Lautour, in moving the motion standing in his name, said he did not think it wa* overstepping the bounds to which they might legitimately go. For, if anyone representing the Crown in any Colony should in the course of political contest, misrepresent them, they had a right, as colonists, to petition that ho should be removed to some other place. He did not go the length of saying that the reprefentative of the Crown in this Colony had overstepped the line to which a representative of the Crown should go, as laid down for his guidance in the Colony. The majority of the Convention would agree with him in saying that there were grave doubts if his Exceli lency had not gone beyond that line in the despatches which he forwarded to the Home Government; and also, if on inquiry it should be found that he had done so, and that If no longer possessed the confidence of the colonists of New Zealand, then that he sh-uld'be sent ekewhere. He preferred to let the matter l est, simply on the gronnd that they had sufficient reason for asking the Imperial authorities to inquire into the case, so that whether they were right or wrong they might not be led into a course which would be unconstitutional and ind,e fensible.

Mr Lumsden deprecated commencing the business with such a discussion. The Cohvcntion wbouM avoid coming into conflict with the Q.ueeu's representative, and he strongly urged the withdrawal of the motion. The matter had bem referred to in such a manner in the Assembly, that he felt sure it would lead.to the Gbvernoi's iec-1. * i

Mr IIEiD taid the Convention should nob descend to personalities. How could the members of the Convention be in a position taseudorse such charges of their own-know-ledge ? Dragging in bis > xcellehcy's name after the manner of the resolution- would have the effect of -weakening their deliberations, especially if the first act was to pass" such a motion as was before them.. It was ft pity that they had not resolutions emanating from the persons responsible for this meeting brought before them. It was a pity such a resolution should have been brought forward, and it would be a great pity if it were to be carried. If the matter, therefore, came to a division, he would vote against the motion.

Mr Stout thought; that in any constitutional struggle no one should be afraid to express his opinions. If the Convention believed that the Governor had taken a onesided view of a political question they would be guilty of namby-pambyism if they wcrj afraid to open their mouths and to say that he had done so.—(Applause.) They were not descending to personalities by r discussing finch a motion as that which thjeyhad now before them. If they were not to have the privilege of speaking their minds under such, circumstances there was an end ; to the liberty of debate, and they would cease to be citizens of the Colony at all.— (Applause.) From the letters which had been read ho believed that there were not more than twelve or fifteen persons who had absolutely refused to attend the Convention. It was of no use preparing resolutions to submit to the Convention, Who was to take the responsibility ? ~ Mr R ltd : Whoever called it. Mr Stout i It was called by the Superintendent, aud.he expeoted that his Provincial' Secretary would aid him. - [Applause.) Mr Rwd : I was never-asked. Mr Stout replied that Mr Reid got notice the same as everyone else. Why not come down with resolutions framed in the manner ia whiph he wished to pass, themil They should show th it Otago was n®t afraid to criticise the highest person in the land if they believed that he had done wrong, ilf they believed that the Governor had done wrong he hoped they would Vote according to their convictions. '.',' '.! '■ :---„• ■ ....

Mr Gauia would like the mnver to jre-.-ducc lis motion'somewhat, so that it might state that partisanship 'was shown in some of the despatches whigh h&d been sefttHomg byhia Excellency. TheyshouM leaveout

that portion of the resolution which referred to the Governor misrepresenting the majority of the people of New Zealand. If Mr De Lautour would be prepared to alter tho resolution to the extent he had suggested, Jitf would be willing to support it.- Even present form he would not oppose it. Every-' o:;e who had any patriotism fct all should express clearly and distinctly their sympathy with one who, in his judgment; hadacted:in; a stiaightforward and patriotiamahnelr>-V (Aijplauae.) Professor Macgregor could not conceive how any man with the heart of a man could be in doubt for a moment as to how ho should act on this occasion. Sir George .Grey had been excessively .and. misrepresented in very many quarters; Hef'l had no personal interest to serve, and had no possible object whatever in coming forward as he had yet he was treated in a most shameful fashion.—(CouT applauserT He would be ashamed of himself if he -did not express.his opinion of such nff matter who was'guilty of it The 'Govern*,= in so acting, had, misrepresented' Her Majesty. He was rather surprised tUt a j man like Mr Beid, whom they all respected, ■ should seem to be in doubt as lo whether they should deal with this subject. Mr Hislop agreed with Mr Reid that the resolution as at present worded was not true as far as they had the factar/placed before them. There had been no attempt made to prove that the despatch in question misre presented the majority of jUer Majesty's, loyal subjects in the : Colony. For that reason he would not think of supporting the resolution as it now stood. The Convention should be very csreful to be thoroughly accurate in anything they did, and, if the first resolution that they carried affirmai a statement which was not'"clearly established* he thought their influence would be very much lessened. Such a resolution should not have been brought forward.

Mr Wales did not see anything in the Governor's despatch which misrepresented the feelings and wishes of the majority of Her Majesty's loyal subjects. The feelings of a large majority of the people of Otago were possibly misrepreseuted j but this resolution dealt with the whole Colony, with which they had nothing to do. He strongly urged the withdrawal ot the resolution, fie would not like to characterise the letters which were written by 'Wis Ceorge Grey wjth reference to the action of :the' Governor. Professor Macgregor had spoken about Sir George Grey being a man. of independence, but anyone might be a man of independent in a queer state;of mind.— (Hisses.) He would riot be deterred by any number tf geese from expressing his opinion The Chairman hoped Mr Wales would withdraw such an expression as he had just used/

-Mr Walks was quite willing to withdraw the expression if it was disliked by those peoplewho were imitatihg geese. Tt was most butrageous-for members to'imitate such" animals. His observation had been taken up too hurriedly. He believed that Sir G. Grey's enthusiasm had carried him beyond himself, and he had used expressions which he would not use if he had been, writing in retirement. He would vote against this resolution, however it might be amended. The resolution,: which was strpngly supported by Messrs Hodgkinson, Barrowman, Wood, Seaton, and Burns, was carried with a few dissentient voices. OTAGO AN INDEPENDENT COtONY. Mr J. S. Fleming moved the resolutions of which he had given notice. They pointed out the only practical course that could now be undertaken. He.had himself long enter 1 tained a desire that the Colony ef New Zea land should be maintained as one Colony ; but he now believed that the only course for them to pursue was the course suggested by the resolution.. He had no doubt Whatever that if Otago were an independent Colony she would be one of the most prosperous Colonies under the British Crown. Mr Robin seconded the resolutions! Dr Hodgkinson thought the motion recognised the legality of the Abolition Act, to which he entirely demurred. He moved—"That the word ' unconstitutional' be inserted before the word in the third line."

■■; Mr Manders did not think the Convention was attending, to the business of the Colony of Otago. They should refer to the landed estate, and to the conduct of the Pro- , vincial Council. It was futile to endeavor to get a separate Colony for Otago. He did not think it would be for the benefit of-the? citizens to have the Beat of the Government or the Civile Service located anywhere in Otago. They would far more advance;'their true interests' collectively by. having «a Federal., system, for. .the. .Colonies. He was not going to vote against the resolution (Laughter and/agplause.) « ™ Gillies moved as an ameridmeatL ".Whereas. Otago, against the will of a '-majority-of her people and t Tepresentatim has practically, deprived,Of'a JaiW amount of local self government and will jbe despoiled of-her revenues by jfche recent ur . coußtitttfc-fujil action of.the General Asseto" bjy, ..res -Ives:—lst. -That a committee 'ofthrse;be appointed fa drafts petition to Her [^Maje^yisettingr-fpribr^thei limited and unequal character ofcthe people, - and asking that the rights of the Pro- ; vince of Otago conferred .on her by th>e Constitution Actmay be preserved, if not obtainable; Totherwise, by proclaiming her a separate and : independent Colony.'■ ' 2nd. That th>Tsaid' Committee consist pf Mr Robin, Mt Sleuth and the mover." The original motion was~ withdrawn in favor ofthe amendment, wuch then became the substantive motion. Mr Wilson (Southland): could not for a moment consent to Otago being declared a separate Colony, aridlhewas sure that Bitish Government would never grant it. ' He moved as an amendment—" That a com- 1 mittee be appointed by this Convention to f to prepare an Addresq to Her Most GraoioW! Majesty the Queen, praying that she injiy fc>e J pleased to cause an Act to be introduced into the Imperial Parliament to provide for the consolidation of all that pr.rt of the Colony of New Zealand north of Cook Strait into one Province,, and all thai? part flouth of Cook Strait; into one vince, and separate from the North; each; having its .own distinct and independent Legislature. That petitions to that effect be prepared ior presentation to both Houses of the Imperial Parliament; and that printed forms of the-said .'address and pefetion be circulated throughout the Colony for signature by persons- favorable to such separation "and consolidation. That the functions of the General Government of. the two Provinces bp limited to purely Federal Action." " ' *~ " t '■: ■i-

Mr Stout admitted at once tbal£ if possible, they should trytoijet redress within tfce Colony. But if theyfbrind that the present constitution of the House of tatives was not in accordance with' the Constitution Aot .the representation not being based on population—they must make tp their mihdß for one of two .things 4. Either they: must acquiesce in everything the' General. Assembly might ohoose to: do, |or else they would .have to appeal to which gave the General Assembly itap«we?, : . He thought the latter was a proper and constitutional course to adopt. He believed thjji Oenvention would hjay% * good effect, ,*n;>hayius getting, them know what ttjey :W©-Q-.nKh,^ing f jfori-; ? ? e,cp.l@ outside of Otage that they-.Jwere etermined to stand up for whftt {jaw h^r

of the Golony. p 6 »*"«**« Ut A. they ought to *e proud of thes%ent j^ring/and B o£ their representa|aveß-in Just Teorgfe tfrey) $uO y<&mto only just ootomencejfe the not seen the end of &«? not one member there was net a man was disloyal to the bonny blue banner of the Province of Otaeo. —(Applause.) e The motion was, after considtrable dig. cussion, agreed to.