RE – UNION OF OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 201, 12 January 1866, Page 3

RE - UNION OF OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND.

The following debate on this subject took place in the Otago Provincial Council, and is extracted from the Daily Times : — Mr Yogel moved — " That it is highly desirable the Provinces of Otago and South 1 and should agree to re-unite. "That the basis of such union should be the permanently appropriating to each Province its own land revenne, subject only to the liquidation of the liabilities they have respectively contracted. " That an address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to communicate with the Superintendent of Southland, •with a view to the opinion of the Provincial Council of that Province being taken on the subject. " That, should Southland be favorable to the preposal, it is desirable that delegates should be appointed to confer upon the matter, and draw up a Bill, to be introduced into the Assembly, after first being submitted for the approval of the Provincial Councils of the two Provinces." There was no ignoring the fact that if the two Provinces went on as at present, the landed estate of each would very seriously suffer in value ; for there was simply a struggle which should offer the most attractive land laws and the cheapest land. He thought it was quite right that the overture for union should come from v Otago, that that should be done which would certainly promote the material interests of both Provinces. Theninterests were really at one — their resources were singularly similar — one Government was sufficient fbr both. He had reason to believe that a very strong party in Southland would be favorable to re-union ; and he was sure that, re-united, Otaso and Southland would be by far the most powerful Province of the Colony — the one best able to command credit, and to develope its enormous resources. Mr. Bbodie seconded the motion. Mr. Grant did not doubt that it would be well for the Provinces to re-unite ; indeed, he believed it was a deplorable thing that separation ever took place. But he did not see that the motion could eifect anything. Mr. Bt.atr did not at all question the importance of the motion or the soundness of the ar<nnnents of the mover.. In fact, the question was too important to be dealt with so late in the session, when half of the members had gone home, and more than half of those who remained were well nigh tired out. The Tbeastjbee would have been glad if the previous question had been moved. The Council would not like to negative the motion, for none could deny the general proposition it contained j and the Council could not well affirm the motion, in the absence of proof of what was to be gamed. It would not do that there should simply be added to the Council six members who would do all they could to get funds from Otago's land revenue, to spend in a district which had hypothecated it own land revenue. Southland was not likely to consent to re-unite upon the terms proposed ; and those terms were too definite for a mere opening of the question. Mr. .Reynolds moved the previous question. He quoted figures from the Southland Government Gazette, which he said proved that that Province had only 516,000 acres of land to sell, while its debts were £403,530. If the General Government had stepped in last session, and said that Otago should take Southland, paying her debts, he would not have objected ; but by moving now, as proposed, the result would most likely be, nothing more than a rap on the knuckles from Southland herself. Mr. Rennie seconded the amendment. Mr. Vo&el said he would be willing to withdraw the second paragraph. Mr. Adah thought that there should be postponement, so that every constituency might be represented on so important a question. Mr. John Caegill supported the motion. Affirming the previous question would mean a year's delay ; and if the motion was passed, nothing could be decided until the whole question had been before the Council nest session. Mr. Bted would support the motion, if the second paragraph was struck out. After some discussion, Mr. VoixEL replied; and then, by leave, the second paragraph of the motion was struck out, and the " previous question " was withdrawn. Mr. Bue>"3 supported the motion. He believed the people of Southland, almost to a man, would, if polled, declare in favor of re-uuiting with Otago. The motion, as amended, was affirmed.