THE OTAGO CONVENTION.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 747, 10 November 1876, Page 2

THE OTAGO CONVENTION.

(From a corresoondent of the Press.)

DUNEDIN, November 9

Last night the attendance of the public increased after eight o’clock, and up to midnight they manifested considerable interest in the proceedings, applauding several of the speakers, On the motion censuring the Governon for his despatches, Professor Macgregor stigmatised Sir G. Grey’s treatment by the Governor as most shameful. Mr Hislop, M.H.R. agreed with Mr Reid that no attempt h id been made to prove that the despatch misrepresented the majority of the colonists. Mr Wales,late|M,H.R.for Dunedin, took a similar view, and caused a scene by alluding to Sir G. Grey’s despatches, which he said he did not care to characterise. A man might be indeuendent-minded as the previous speaker had said Sir G. Grey was, and yet be in a queer state of mind. This observation was received with a perfect storm of hisses, which increased when he said he was willing to withdraw it if it offended the people who were imitating the geese. He went on to say that he meant that Sir G. Grey’s enthusiasm had carried him beyoud himself. Mr Delatour wound up his speech with a panegyric on Sir G. Grey, and amended his motion by substituting for “of the majority” the words of a “ large number.” Ou the second resolution Mr Robin, chairman of the Dunedin school committee, which body declined to be represented, claimed to represent the views of nine-tenths of the people of Dunedin. He referred to the Pkess article, saying, amid much laughter, that it would be well for the people North of the Wa’taki to remember the treatment their ancestors received the last time they crossed the Twged, and he advised them to remain on their aide of the river. With the

exception of Mr Stout’B none of the speeches deserved notice. Mr Maunders and Mr Lumsden strongly opposed the formation of Otsgo into a separate colony, they urging it would be better to direct attention to the land question, and more equitable representation . The latter expressed an opinion that there were no cementing principles between Otago and Auckland. Answering these speakers, Mr Stout said—“ He could not see any practical difficulty that would arise from separation, Otago could negotiate with the rest of the colony for one custom law and one judicial system. The fundamental objection to Mr Wilson’s amendment was that they would be asking Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough, and Westland to do something they did not desire, Let them first get separation, and the other provinces would soon be glad to join with them. They should show the other provinces of the Middle Island that Otago could exist without them. The Otago members had gone to the Assembly in a most conciliatory spirit, but the Canterbury members would not unite with them. It seemed to him te bo from a feeling of petty jealousy. To-day’s proceedings were marked by a desire on the part of members to go home. The speeches were short, and the attendance not so large as yesterday. Last night’s roll shows when the motion re separation was discussed, that there were over 100 delegates present. With few exceptions the speeches were very moderate. Nearly all declared that the majority of the people in their districts were strongly opposed to abolition. Mr Stout and Mr Delatour, and Dr Hodgkinson were the practical leaders of the convention.

Drafts of petitions to the Queen were brought up and adopted. On the one praying for the Governor’s re-call, Mr Reid rose and said he desired to enter his dissent from it. Although he knew that being in a minority very little weight would be attached to his remarks, he desired that his dissent should be recorded. He did not agree with or approve of the statements contained in the memorials, which to his mind were not in accordance with facts.

Votes of thanks were accorded to Otago members of Assembly who opposed abolition. Mr Burns was called for, and led the singing of the National Anthem, in which those assembled joined. Then there followed much hand clapping, and with three cheers for the Queen, for Sir G. Grey, and for the Superintendent, the proceedings of the convention terminated. The following are the essential portions of the two memorials adopted by the convention 11 We have to deplore that his Excellency the Governor has identified himself with the Centralist party, and has thereby become the representative only of the opinions of the party dominant for the time being in thp House of Representatives and the Legislative Council, and that his recent action has had a tendency to impair the feeling of loyalty and respect which we have always cherished for your Majesty's representative. Your petitioners therefore pray that your Majesty will be pleased to inquire into the grievances mentioned in our petition, and appoint some person to fulfil the onerous and responsible duties of Governor, who will not be biassed against a political party, even though such party may be in the minority. 2. That Government from Wellington will neither be efficient nor agreeable to the feelings of the people of this province.” “ That it will be injurious to the best interests of the colony to have about one half of the population discontented with the form of government under which they live. That your petitioners are earnestly of opinion that Otago should have granted to it the large powers of local self government bestowed by the Constitution Act, or that it should be created a separate and independent colony. That the manner in which the Constitution Act has been altered in a hurried, thoughtless way, and without reference to the opinions of the local Legislature, abolished, in violation of the provisions of the Constitution Act, has created in the minds of your petitioners a grave distrust of the General Assembly and its legislation, that your petitioners therefore that your Majesty will be pleased to take the petition into your gracious consideration, and grant that either t ie province of Otago should have bestowed on it the large powers of local self-government granted by the Constitution Act, or else that Otago should be erected into a separate and independent colony,” Referring to the address the Timet says—««We shall expect now that Mr Macandrew has unfolded his scheme and shown us all on what he relies for the extrication of the province from these evils, that a great many of those formerly sanguine on the subject will feel inclined to despair. We cannot think ‘ Otago as a separate colony ’ will ever become an entity to be regarded as within the domain of reality. W« admit the force of the figures adduced by Mr Macandrew. We cordially concur in his enumeration of the evils inflicted upon us by the new state of things. At the same time we cannot but say also that such a remedy as his is at least but v ry little preferable to the disease it is supposed to cure, a n( j that it is simply unattainable. The Comm° n sense of the people will revolt from an ess a y to obtain a constitution of such doubtful import. And this being so we do not think that this part of the convention’s work will lead to any practical results.” The Guardian thinks the address magnificent. It says :—“ Clear pointed and determined, it had that genuine ring which is required where we have so many hollow utterances of men who, under the guise of patriotism, are simply in the pursuit of self. Nor need we comment on earnestand genuine applause which rang through the Council Chamber, as telling point after point was presented to the mind. Nor need we comment on the distinct and positive character of the resolutions submitted to the convention, With such demonstration, at the very commencement of this agitation, we may treat as they deserve the paltry nibblings of those who would be the first to cry out lo triumphs, if success began to dawn on the efforts made. Despite the contempt which has been sought to pour on the convention, the meeting has been a magnificent success, and again w&-assert if Otago is true to herself and turns a deaf ear to the treasonable counsels of traitors within, she may bid defiance to the enemy without. If Otago stands firm and takes a determined action, the colony of Otago, like the flourishing of Victoria and Queensland, will be a lasting testimony to the power of of a determined, independent minded people, in persevering in the assertion of their rights." The Star also opposes separation, Baying, " If it is to the advantage

of the rest of New Zealand to be united with Otago, if is of vital importance to Otago to be united with New Zealand. It is not possible to select a more complete refutation of Mr Macandrew’s theories than is presented by the condition of Auckland. Had separation taken place ten years ago, when Mr Macandrew was lukewarm on the subject, it might have saved Otago tens of thousands wasted. To separate now is the height of folly. It opens the way to the restricting of trade, duties levelled specially at Otago, intense local jealousies, and a blow at those commercial advantages that thus far we have possessed, and which so many rivals are eagerly waiting to deprive us of.”

{Per Press Agency.') The petitions praying for an inquiry into the Governor’s conduct, and for his recall, also one asking for the proclamation of Otago as an independent colony, were brought up and adopted. The resolutions asking Mr Macandrew to accept the management of the Provincial affairs to the Slab December, was also carried, as also one that Sir George Grey, Mr Macandrew, and Capt Frazer, should be sent home as delegates in the interest of Otago, to present the petitions. The convention expressed its opinion that the Otago Counties Act, 1872, would be more satisfactory than the present County Act; and it was resolved that a convention meet annually, or at such times as the president or vice-president and council shall determine ; that for purposes lEpf management there be president, vice-pre-Maident, and council nine members ; that Mr w Thompson be appointed president, and Mr Clarke vice-president. Both petitions to the Queen were adopted by the convention. Dr Hodgkinson’s motion—“ That in the opinion of the convention the Abolition Act is ultra vires and unconstitutional” was passed without dissent. Three cheers were given for the Queen and three cheers for Sir George Grey, and the convention closed with the National Anthem.