The Globe. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1874.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 68, 19 August 1874, Page 2

The Globe. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1874.

The debate on the abolition of the North Island Provinces still drags its slow length along. Mr Trollope, in his account of ihe House of .Representatives in Now Zealand, credits the members of this august body with a greater talking and quoting power than is possessed by any other equal number of gentlemen acting in the same capacitv. \Ve suppose that every member,

on the subject before the division list is taken, and Mr Vogel’s triumph is complete. Mr Sheehan stated, in bis speech, that every one who could express an opinion on the matter should do so. Wo are far from agreeing with him, and only wonder that, as the result of the division seems inevitable, the Opposition members do not partially follow the tactics of the Government party, and confine themselves to the expression of disapproval of the Bill, through the mouths of those two or three gentlemen who may be supposed to have separate followings amongst the number of members who oppose Mr Vogel and all his works. Mr Macandrew, who has been a supporter of the Premier in many of his measures, now turns round, and seeing the object of the resolutions, he opposed the Bill in a speech in which all the arguments against it were well and forcibly put. But the end must come in spite of the vigorous efforts of particular members, and the Government can afford to wait for a few days for their victory. There seems to be no compact and regularly organised opposition in the House, and under these circumstances, a leader like Mr Vogel can almost invariably command a majority, particularly when, as in his case, thq Government may be said to consist of Mr 'Vogel, if not “ solus,” at all events with but very little importance attached to the fact of many of his colleagues being in office with him. He is the master spirit, and without him, the Government would never carry such a measure as the one at present under discussion.

The House of Representatives will have before them, as soon as the debate on the abolition of the North Island provinces is over, a bill to enable the City Council of Christchurch to make certain bye-laws. The present bye-laws having been pronounced bad by our legal talent, this step was rendered necessary, and we trust that the Act will receive due consideration, and that the powers which are delegated to the City Council will not be too great. Our present councillors, as a rule, are hardly distinguished for wisdom, and though thoroughly at home in a squabble amongst themselves as to what councillor This, or That, did, or did not say on a certain point, yet their measures have hardly been such, as to impress the citizens of the town with any very great idea of their powers of initiating, or carrving out, any useful scheme tor the improvement of the city of Christchurch. The bungle which was made with reference to the Cab Act, can hardly however, with fairness be put down as the fault of the members of the Council, as their city solicitor was their instructor in that instance. AVe live, however, in hopes of great things when the new powers shall bave been granted by the present legislature to our Mayor and Councillors, and the “cabbies” and their supporters must expect to be utterly subdued, for they can never expect forgivenness for having bearded the civic authorities, and for having gained a temporary victory. There is a chance, however, we hope, of the Council being merciful as it is strong ; and when the repentant “ cabbies,” have duly made their submission, they may be enabled to accept a list of fares which shall still give them a chance of making a livelihood.

OUR Wellington correspondent telegraphs as follows ;—Mr Macandrevv’s speech was disappointing. He made no reference to the breaking up of party. Mr Reynolds’ speech consisted solely of extracts. Mr Montgomery made the best speech for the opposition so far, and he was heartily applauded. Mr Fit/.herbert’s speech to-night will possibly last five hours. Pie may however reserve himself till after Mr Stafford, to-morrow. There was great disinclination shown to get up to-day again. The question was all but put, when Mr Sheehan rose. I was misinformed about Mr Harrison, as he votes with' the opposition. The Ward-Chapman plot thickens. Six witnesses arrived by the Pluebo, on Saturday. Rumor says that the eommitice have got. fair hold of the tangled skein, and are proceeding to unravel it. A Indy, resident at Oaluaru, has a son iu the Telegraph-office there. The boy tells his mother something. She repeats it, and ultimately it is forwarded to the Dully Time* through the medium of its Oamaru correspondent—a gentleman named Brown, Some strange revelations were made before the committee to-day, and scandal formed a prominent part. "Mr Maeassey’s and a lady witness’s evidence, if printed, will bo very entertaining. It is understood that the committee is in a position to trace the leakage ; therefore there is no necessity for Mr Murison to come up.”