The Globe. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 1875.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 317, 18 June 1875, Page 2

The Globe. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 1875.

A more thoroughly unsatisfactory spectacle than was presented in the Provincial Council Chamber yesterday, from the hour at which the members met up till 6 p.m., it would be hard to imagine. Member after member got up to address the Council, and each one wandered farther away from the subject which was supposed to be under discussion, than the preceding speaker. The hon member for Selwyn made an attack on the Southern members, who, as a rule, hare voted with the Government, and this speech brought the member for Mount Cook to his feet, that gentleman actually taking the trouble to show some indignation in his reply to Mr Jollies’s attack. Mr E, Turnbull then proceeded to address the House, and did so, if not at his usual length, with even less than his usual grasp of the question under discussion. Soon after this Dr T urnbull conceived it to be his duty to make another series of accusations against the members from the South of the Eangitata, and this tro*?ht the Provincial Secretary to the front. Mr Masked denied Dr Turnbull’s assertions ; went on to explain that the Education Bill had no reference to denominationalism, which was the ground of contention two years ago; ignored the existence of any public feeling amongst those present at the crowded meeting held on Wednesday night, and, after a fling at his late colleague the ex-Provincial Solicitor, finished up with one of those appeals which the hon gentleman is in the habit of making to the House, viz., to believe that he is dreadfully treated, by some persons unknown, and that all manner of evil reports are spead by these gentlemen, whoever they may be, against the honour and ability of the Provincial Secretary. Mr. J. E. Brown, who followed the Provincial Secretary, attempted to induce the Council to come to the point, and moved that “ the Chairman do “ now leave the chair,” but the hon member was beaten on a division, though some short time afterwards the House did get to business. When once the discussion on his Honour’s amendments was started, it went on merrily, and the massacre of the innocents was carried out to the end. The member for Kaiapoi proposed a reply to his Honour as an amendment, but the majority of the House were by this time in no mood for anything temperate, and Mr Joynt’s amendment was negatived on the voices. Mr. Walker and Sir C. Wilson put the final touches on the debate, the one moving the reply standing in his name, and Sir C. Wilson moving—“ That the resolution “ rejecting the amendments and the “ reply of the Council, be forwarded “ to his Honour the Superintendent “ forthwith, together with the Educa- “ tion Bill passed by the Council.” The question which now agitates the minds of those interested in the cause of Education in the province is, whether his Honour will exercise his undoubted right of veto in the case of the Bill sent to him by the Council. All through the time during which the Government Education Bill has been before the House, it has been no secret that his Honour was opposed to many of the clauses contained in the Bill. The present Government appear to have systematically ignored the fact that his Honour was one of the estates whose consent to the Bill was equally neoewarj with a recorded majority of

votes in t.n Couiuil Clmiu or. 11 1* Honour acted throughout with deliberation and courtesy ; the conduct of the Government has been characterised by neither of these qualities. The threat of refusing to pass the Appropriation Act has been held out by a member of the House, and the proposition was not scouted by the Government of the day. If under the circumstances of the case his Honour should elect to exercise his right of veto , we feel certain that he will have the opinion of the majority of thinking persons on his side, in the struggle which it is by no means improbable will take place between the present Executive and himself. ♦ His Honour the Superintendent has decided not to veto the Education Bill brought down by the present Executive, A message to that effect was received by the Council to-day. Probably his Honour has been wisely advised, but the support that he would have undoubtedly commanded, if he had chosen to make a firm stand on the question, will not be readily given to him if he should elect at some future time to make objections to any Bill brought down by the Executive of the day.