PUBLIC OPINION ON PROVINCIAL ABOLITION.

Hawke's Bay Times, Issue 1605, 25 August 1874, Page 335

PUBLIC OPINION ON PROVINCIAL ABOLITION.

Public meetings have been held at Newmarket and Otahuhu, condemning Mr Vogel's resolution for the abolition of the North Island Provinces, unless it embraces 1 those of the South also. The Newmarket meeting also passed a resolution affirming the desirability of the land fund being made a portion of the colonial revenue. A meeting was held on Thursday evening in the Choral Hall, Auckland, to consider Mr Vogel's resolutions, the Mayor occupied the chair, and all the leading men of the city were present. One thousand persons were present, and the meeting is described as the most influentiali unanimous, and enthusiastic held in Auckland for years. The following were the resolutions, as arranged by the Executive committee, which wore all carried with enthusiasm. 1. Moved by Mr J. C. Firth; seconded by Mr Roes:—That in the opinion of this meeting, the proposals embodied in Mr Vogel's resolution for the abolishing of the North Island Provinces are unjust and impolitic." 2. Moved by Captain Daldy: seconded by Mr M'Millan : —"That in the opinion of the meeting, the time has arrived when, for the good of the Government and credit of the colony, the provincial system should be abolished, and the land revenue become colonial revenue." 3. Moved by Mr Ireland; seconded by Mr Holdship : "That the resolution be forwarded to the Auckland members, with a request that they support these views." While Mr Firth was proposing the first resolution, the announcement of the passing of Mr Vogel's resolution was read. The announcement was received with hisses> and it was determined to proceed with the business as previously intended. Mr Firth made an excellent speech, and was followed by Mr Rees, and who hoped the people would be in a semi-state of revolution until justice was accorded the Island. His speech was received with enthusiastic cheering. It was suggested that a Reform Association be formed with the object of establishing committees throughout the colony, to agitate by addresses and pamphlets, and influence at elections, the main object of the abolishment of all the provinces, and to make the provincial land revenues a colonial revenue. Mr Black said that if the Colonial creditor has nothing more than the Customs revenue as security for the public debt, it was a poor security, and might soon be taken away. Captain Daldy followed, and in a good speech told the history of the compact of 1856, how it was carried by one vote, and he instituted a comparison between Auckland and the southern provinces, and denounced as 'an '.insult to that part of the colony the offer of £25,000 by Mr Vogel, while the province was contributing a quarter of a million to the Customs revenue. Mr M'Millan supported the suggestion for the formation of an association ; he said they should not only give their personal support but put down money to send to Parliament any able men unable of themselves to go. (Great cheering.) He said ■when the compact of 1856 was proposed, the total revenue of the colony was £103,000, out of which Auckland contributed £54,000. Mr Rees, in proposing a vote of thanks to the- Mayor, said he was requested to remind the public through the press that the Middle Island was purchased from the natives with public money, except Nelson. Mr Lusk said when ho was recently in Otago, he met a gentleman formerly of Auckland who said many years ago he was one who took part in an agitation to prevent the taxes raised in Auckland being sent away to buy land in Canterbury and Otago. The abolition of the Northern Provinces is as heartily approved at the Thames as it is condemned in Auckland. The Advertiser strongly supports the scheme, and ridicules the agitation of the Provincialists •in Auckland city. It says they do not represent the opinion of the majority of the province, and that the people will not bo led away by false party cries. A public meeting was held on Tuesday evening in the Town Hall, Grahamstown, convened by the Mayor, in reference to a numerously signed requisition. The meeting was largely attended, and the following resolutions were unanimously carried and ordered to be transmitted to tho Premier and local member;—-1, That this meeting fully approves of the action taken by the Premier in respect to the abolition of provincialism in the North Island, and trusts that the Government will extend the same policy to the Middle Island. 2. That, in the event of the Government being defeated on the resolution, and appealing to tho country, this meeting hereby pledges itself to support the candidature of those only who are favorable to the abolition of provincialism and its attendant evils throughout tho colony. A crowded meeting was held on Friday evening at Grahamstown, the Mayor in tho chair. The following resolutions were adopted: —l. "That this meeting cordially approves of the resolution passed by the General Assembly for the abolition of the provinces in the North Island, and trusts the same policy will be extended to the South Island, as it believes the time has arrived when Provincialism should be superseded by a simple, inexpensive form of self-government." 2. "That an equitable and well-devised scheme for the readjustment of representation should be passed by the Assembly before any appeal is made to the constituents on the question of abolishing the provinces." Further resolutions were carried, to the effect* that copies of the foregoing be sent to the Speakers of both Houses and to tho Premier. The abolition of the Provinces is approved in Taranaki, p;ovided that the laud fund is spent in the district. The Taranaki Herald, in an article on the debate on the abolitions of tho provinces, advocates that " happy despatch " be given them now, as tho necessity of their continued existence is no longer apparent. The writer adds that, under

the General Government, the progress of the province would be ensured, whilst under Provincial administration, its great resources could never be properly developed. The general feeling abroad has long been in favor of being governed by the Colonial Government. An enthusiastic public meeting was held on Thursday evening in Greymouth, in favor of the abolition of the Northern provinces. Resolutions were unanimously passed, praying the Premier to extend the proposed reform to the South Island. Both Canterbury papers have expressed themselves in favor of the abolition of the Provinces. The Lyttelton Times considers Mr Vogel’s speech on the subject firm and moderate, but says it contains evidence that the proposal is the result of pique at opposition to one of his pet schemes. It concludes as follows : —“ Mr Vogel will find he can most effectually abolish the provinces by an active and careful prosecution of the policy of public works.” The Press argues in favor of the abolition of the provinces in the North ; it also favors the abolishment of the provinces in the South Island. It says that jCanterbury and Otago are the only provinces that are not virtually defunct. The Otago press is in favor of Mr Vogel’s scheme for abolition of the Provinces. The Guardian writes strongly in its support. The Southland News advocates the application of the principle to both Islands. The Southland Times says:—“ There is no good purpose to be served by the maintenance of provincial life under the conditions such as those which are likely to exist in the north provinces, and those who look with the hope to make New Zealand prosperous as a colony hail the proposal of their abolition as the dawn of