Federal Convention.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, 12 March 1891, Page 2

Federal Convention.

SIB GE RGE GREY'S SPEECH. Sir George Grey, who was well received on rising, said he thought the proper duty of the framers of the representative Constitution was to begin with the lowest body upon which the Constitution was to be built, that is the people. It was their duty first rather to consider the Constitution of Australasia, and devise from this a perfect form of Constitution for such States as may join the General Government. They could only hope to win over the Colonies by setting forth the advantages which would accrue. He had been much struck with the account given by the Kaffirs to. Sir H. Loch, on a recent visit, of how they became drawn to the British Crown, and of the blessings they had received from the Queen, which made them cling to her with devotion and affection. Therefore he believed they had only to hold out inducements to Australasia and the Colonies could be made to join a strong Federation. It was the duty of the Convention to get a Constitution which would enable the States to correct their own Constitutions. He favoured an elective Lieutenant Governor. Both Houses should be made responsible to the people. If they studied the Constitution of New Zealand they would find that originally each Province had had the right to make its own Constitution and vary it from time to time. He iftstanced the working ol the New Zealand Provincial system, which gave all powers of self government they could desire. They would apparently have some difficulty in defining the powers of the General Go* vernment. They must not imitate America by saying the States are to be paramount and to be the sole possessors of power. The inevitable result would be that the iune would arrive when some such question as slavery would disturb the mind of the people at large. If the majority attempted to dominate the minority a deadlock would occur, and as parties became more equal on the question then nothing but a civil war would settle it. He counselled them to take steps to prevent the disaster which overtook America, The

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powers of the two Chambers could , .easily be adjusted, and this was essentially necessary among the points tc be considered. The difficulty might be prevented in this way — when the General Assembly chose to legislate on any subject than the legislation on suoh subject should be withdrawn from the States. He referred to the great interest in Federation shown by leading English statesmen who had visited the colonies. He looked to this as an element of safety in regard to the steps which the British Parliament might take .with respect to conceding our requests. It was essential to everyone that the offices of State should,. be elective ; the people should have the right to say who the GovernorGeneral should be. Let them choose him from where they will. No nation could be perfect unless the people had every office upon to their ambition. To say no man should have such an opportunity was positive cruelty. It would be an incentive to every man to educate himself for the position. He would like to see the place of Agents-General taken by officers who had direct access to the Sovereign, as the Secretary for Ireland had. It would be an advantage to the Colonies to have such officers moving in the highest circles. They should occupy the office for three or four years. This too, would give men another opportunity to educate themselves to fill such posts. They must legislate so that the future will legislate for itsself, and so that each succeding generation would bless the ancestors who had left them freedom to legislate for themselves. It would not much matter how the first elections were conducted, provided power were given to alter the method in the future. They could not tell what political inventions might be made in the principled of representation. Federation was comparatively a new invention like electricity, and day by day new modes of administration would be found. Let them, therefore, open the path to all future steps. Let them lead on and they would find grateful races follow. One thing lay \ery close on his mind, that was religious differences, which in past times had prevented men holding seats in Parliament. Let this Federation says if the English-speaking people choose to be federated in one great body — then men who hail from republics, men who hail from monarchies, may join us. They can equally advise for the good of the whole what is necessary for the common benefit. Novel these doctrines might seem, but there was much in them. Regarding the Pacific Islands they must remember that the United States would have a great say in the Pacific. What was the feeling in England when he suggested common Customs duties for the Islands. When she found it would mean payment of salaries to officers to control these Islands, she sent peremptory orders to discontinue suoh efforts. He referred to the part he played in attempting to bring about the Federation of South Africa for which he was dismissed from office, though subsequently re-in-stated. There was one who thought differently from those who deemed him dangerous, and that one was Queen Victoria, who was determined that the energies of the British should spread instead of attempting to curtail and throw off outlying dependencies. He was averse to the creation of a military spirit and longing for war. He would rather see a small force sufficient for purposes that might occur, though he did not think they would ever be molested. If they fostered a military spirit they would cause the whole world to become standing camps. For Heaven's sake let them keep the present position free from the mania which made Europe a standing camp. He entretained a belief that what he had asked for would come, if not now, yet in a short period. Sir George, on concluding, was loudlyapplauded. — Press Association.