MR GRAHAM’S MOTION TO ALTER THE PORT OF CALL.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 6, Issue 303, 4 September 1865, Page 3

MR GRAHAM’S MOTION TO ALTER THE PORT OF CALL.

Mb Geaham at least deserves the credit of sficking up for Auckland on all occasions, whether in or out of season, and his motion yesterday to alter the Port of Call for the Panama steamers, affords a capital illustration of this selfish political creed. It is true that by Mr Crosbie Ward’s contract, Wellington was selected as the Port of Call; it is equally true that an Act of the Legislature has confirmed the choice, and that the agreement with Sydney was made on the basis, but Mr Graham gave very little heed to such considerations and asked the House in direct opposition to its previous action, to say that it would bo conducive to the interests of the colony, that Auckland should be the port of arrival, and Otago that of departure. It is needless to criticise Mr Graham’s arguments in detail, because, if the advantages which he thinks would be gained by the chango were real, then they would have been discovered long before this. It is certainly a novel proceeding, asking Parliament, after it as agreed to a particular arrangement, and formally ratified it by an Act, to recommend something which shall over-ride both one and the other. Yet this is exactly what Mr Graham and some of the Otago members have done in the interests of their respective provinces. We thought this very absurd motion would hav e met an ignominious rejection last night, but the fates and the clerk of the weather, ruled otherwise. Shortly after the House met at half-past twelve o’clock, the resolution was moved, and a debate ensued which had to be cut short, when the time came to deal with the Orders of the Day, and at five o’clock the House adjourned till seven. The attractions of the dinner table, and a snug evening by a blazing fire, seem to have detered many honmembers from venturing out again in the pelting rain, and at seven o’clock, a sufficient number had not mustered. There was consequently no House and all business had to be postponed.—Wellington Independent, August 26.