THE Grey River Argus PUBLISHED DAILY MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 1874.

Grey River Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1887, 24 August 1874, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus PUBLISHED DAILY MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 1874.

Before expressing an opinion upon the course the member for the Grey "Valley has adopted with reference to the debate and division upon the Premier's abolition resolutions, we would wish it to be understood that we entirely dissent from the action of Mr Harrison. We consider that Mr Harrison should, on his own showing, have voted aud should, have taken care to record his vote in favor of the. Government, for the reason he gives for opposing the resolution shows that he was in favor of the principle involved in carrying them. On referring to the telegraphic report of his speech, as published by us, we find that after saying he objected to the .proposed , change as being too important to 'make in such a sudden and 4 inconsiderate,mariner, he would vote against the resolutions because they did not go far enough, that is to say because the Premier

did not include dealing with the Middle Island Provinces in his motion. We repeat that the member for the Grey Valley should, in our opinion, have supported the passing of the resolutions, as being a step in the right direction, and in doing so we believe we are stating the opinion of the majority of the honorable member's constituents. Having said this much, we are bound in justice to Mr Harrison to give his explanation as we have received it. On Thursday •evening we were favored with, a telegram from Mr Harrison requesting U9 to buspend judgment upon his action with respect to Mr Vogel's resolutions until he sent a summary of his. speech. He said he had reason to believe the Premier was not sincere in his intention to press the resolution, and that the matter arose out personal ill-feeling between Mr Yogel and the Superintendent of Wellington, arising of the debate upon the Forests Bill. Mr Harrison further informed us that, in addressing the House, he said "he was not so much against the resolutions, as for haying them postponed until Rome indications were afforded of the nature of the proposed substitute for Provincial Government, and ihat if a well-devised scheme, applicable to both islands, were brought down by the Premier he would support it." From this it will be seen that the member for the Grey Valley considered the proposed alteration but a half measure, and riot wide enough in its scope to deserve his support. With respect to the fact that Mr Harrison did not actually record- his vote, a proceeding which has been the 'subject of a. good deal of what we consider very illnatured and quite unjustifiable comment for the last two or three, days, we are reliably informed that it was not Mr Harrison's 'fault that he was not present at the division.. We have it on I good authority that the division came on I quite unexpectedly; It was understood when the Houso adjourned for dinner on the evening of the division, that Mr Fitzherbert or Mr Stafford were to resume the debate at half-past 1 seven o'clock, but, owing to some dispute as to precedence, neither spoke when the House resumed. The Government, although expecting to have a majority, thought this was too good an 1 opportunity of securing a marked success to be lost, and the division was taken immediately,. Mr. Vogel foregoing his review -of the debate which it was understood on all sides would occupy several hours. Wo are bound to take the explanation, made in the House, of Mr Harrison as well as that of Mr O'Rorke, Mr Wales, and Mr John White all these , gen tlemen.i were, unintentionally absent from the division, because each in turn stated openly how h« would have Toted

had he heen present, and therefore 11011^ of them had any motive for absenting themselves. It is not true, as has been insinuated in a certain quarter, that the member for the Grey Valley had stated that he had made up his mind to vote for the Government after speaking against the Premier's resolutions. This, and similar gross mis-statements regarding this matter, has its origin in a source which is becoming locally famous for the frequency of its discoveries of enormous mare's nests. In again protesting against the action of Mr Harrison in opposing the Government on this question, we ask the electors to withhold the expression of a decisive opinion on the course he has followed until he comes before them to justify himself, if he can, and in in making this request, we disclaim any intention of making an ad misericordiam appeal on behalf of the member for the Grey Valley, because we think that representingthisconstituency ably and efficiently as he has for the last eight or nine years, he is entitled to be considered something more that a mere delegate, whose first duty it would be, as a member of Parlia-' tnent, to sink his individuality in deference to the foregone conclusions of other persons, no matter how influential those persons may be.