WELLINGTON.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 205, 29 August 1881, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(Froai oar own correspondent.) [By Telegraph] Saturday night, me Fost to-mght, in an articlo ou the stonewalling nnd cloture proposals, says:— "That a readjustment of representation ia desirable everybody admits, bnt it is quite consistent to recognise that to the fullest extent, and yet to condemn tho manner in which it is proposed to be done. We hare entered our protest against tbe Bill as a thoroughly bad and objectionable one, we are wholly opposed alike to the proposed increase in the number of members to 91, to the division of the colony into 91 electorates, and to the manner in which the redistiibutiou of seats is proposed to bo carried out. We utterly dislike and disapprove of 'stonewalling,' but there are cases in which tbe minority have no oiher defence against the crushing weight of mere numbers, and to a; - piy tho cloture at the preßeut stage of tbe proceedings ia a blunder of the gravest description. It will needlessly aggravate the existing irritation, it will excite a strong , Bentim«nfc ol repugnance ia the colony geoer-

ally, and it will assuredly recoil with fatal effects on the headß of those who have thos rashly, impatiently, and precipitately made nse of so formidable an engine of repression." .The following letter blbo appears ip tonight's Poit on the action of the Nelson member*.— « To the Edilbr— Sir— There Can be no doubt that representative government as practised in England and ber colonies is under trial now, and it appears more tban probable that some alteration will be the result. Stonewalling br obstruction has become so outrageous both at Home and in the colonies that some remedy must he found. As at Home with the Irish members so here with tbe Nelson members, a small minority of ba'.f a-dczen cr so absolutely refuse to submit to tbe majority, and, abusing the forms of law and order; threaten to stop the wheels c* Government unless they have an unfair advantage given to tbeir province over the rest of the colony. Sir, they might just as well arm themselves with rifles and bayonets and; with Major Pitt at their bead, sword in hand, enter the Representative Chamber and demand that Nelson province should be relieved of all State taxation, or that the ievenue raised in Auckland should be thrown into Nelson harbor, or make any other : unreasonable demands. If their, present; preposterous demand be allowed, or feebly or ineffectually met, there is an end 'to legislation in the colony. The' rules and regula-: tions for debate stand on precisely the same footing as air the laws, rules, and customs on which the peace and well-being of society are based j each individual has to give up a portion of unrestricted liberty in' ordet that all may enjoy a certain portion of liberty. Not only a large majority in .the House,: but nine-tenths of the people in the colony mu3t ■ be against them. In fact, eyery man who : cares for peace, law, jdstice, and truth must join to resist the demand of the Nelson brigade. Why should Nelson; be treated differently from the rest of the colony? Can any one of the brigade answer that logically? No- they have no right except the right of the ruffian. It would serve Nelson right to disfranchise her for seven . years. As your space is limited, I will not enlarge on this subject at present.— l am, &c, Traveller." The general feeling in Wellington is, however, strongly with the Nelson men in their determined defence against their threatened political extinction. This Day 2.40 p.m. The political excitement continues unabated. It is reported that the Government will try to get tbe cloture resolutions referred to the Standing Orders Committee tonight, but that this will be strenuously opposed, It ii also reported tbat an amendment will be moved to omit all the words after the word "that," and to substitute the words " tbia House has no longer any confidence in the present Government." ,1 cannot vouch for this, which may be mere gossip, but it is: very generally, stated to be correct, although the name.of the; expected mover is not given. A meeting is being held this afternoon to concert further plans, of resistance to the tyranny of the coalition -majority. It is said that Ministers have admitted privately to friendly members .that the cloture is not proposed in earnest, but simply as a threat to intimidate' the stonewallers, and that it ! will not be seriously pressed, but Government will express tbe hope that the Nelson members will' be. good boys in future and not compel the (Grovernment to take such painful means of correcting them. This, probably, will only excite deriiion.