POLITICAL—PROVINCIAL.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 203, 17 January 1866, Page 3

POLITICAL— PROVINCIAL.

Amidst the festivities of Christmas, politics have been at a discount. The fourth session of the Provincial Council commenc-cLand terminated within two days. It was opened on the 18th December, and prorogued on the 19th. The business transacted was not of an importantjcharacter, although not without interest. His Honor the Superintendent was prevented from indisposition to open the Council in person, but sent down an address, in which he says : — " The Council is aware that during the recent Session of the General Assembly, an Act was passed to provide for the Settlement and Discharge of the Claims and Debts due from this Province. Under the provisions of this Act the Provincial Debts are, under certain conditions, chargeable upon the Colony. But as the amount of the Liabilities incurred for the Public Service of the Province are uncovered by Appropriation, it will be necessary, before they can be made a charge upon the Ordinary Eevenue of the Colony, that they should be authorised by the Provincial Council. The Superintendent has summoned the Council, therefore, at this inconvenient season, for that purpose. As the Council is aware, the Southland "Waste Lands Act, also recently passed by the General Assembly, makes provision for setting aside and granting Land in lieu of money for the Construction of Public Works. The Government have taken advantage of this provision to obtain the sanction of the G-overnor for the Allocation of a Block of Land for the purpose of completing the Bluff Harbor and Invercargill Railway. The Superintendent trusts, therefore, the proposal which will be laid before the Council on this subject will meet with its approbation. The Superintendent does, not propose to detain the Council for a longer period than will be necessary to pass such Ordinances and Resolutions^ as will effectuate these objects. Tlie Superintendent purposes calling a meeting of the Council for the transaction of the general business of the Province at a later and more convenient period. As, however, the present Estimates expire on the 31st of this month, it will be necessary, at the next meeting of the Council, to ask for an indemnity for the expenditure incurred during the intervening period, the Superintendent now declares the Council open for the transaction of business." The Reply adopted by the Council was to the following effect: — "The Council ■will give its consideration to any measures which may be proposed to it by your Honor; and it agrees that it is advisable to cover by an Ordinance all past liabilities which may not have already been legally provided for. The Council desires to express its approval of the proposal to allocate lands for the purpose of completing the Bluff Harbor and Invercargill Railway, and other necessary public works. The Council is gratified to learn that it is the intention of your honor to summon it to meet for the transaction of the genesal business of the Province at a more convenient period, and trusts that this will take place before the end of February." The adoption of the course indicated, will, it is believed, do much towards reviving confidence and giving an impetus to trade. The Railways are to be immediately proceeded with. The remaining business of the session was of a purely local character, and uninteresting to distant readers. During the month a Public Meeting was held for the purpose of considering bow emmigration from the home country could be best promoted. The meeting was largely attended and a general desire expressed that facilities for the publicity of the character of the Province, as an agricultural settlement, should be given at any cost. It was suggested that an Agent should be sent Home to place before the British people the advantages which Southland presents as a field for enterprise and industry. This has been tried by IS"ew South Wales and Queensland with great • success. The latter colony which cannot offer half the inducements for settlement which Southland can, is the "pet" colony in England — Queensland, with its burning sun, parched and unfruitful soil, its fluctuating seasons and life destroying droughts, is receiving additions daily to its population, while Southland, with a fine English climate, tracts of the most fertile soil, and never failing rivers, is neglected or unknown. How can we account for this ? Simply Queensland was started upon the the principle that population would ensure progress and prosperity, and upon this they worked. It secured the services of able men, acquainted with colonial life to proceed to Britian, and scatter broad- cast, the inviting prospects of a life in the new colony. Southland has done nothing — with a comfortable faith in her own value, she has almost as good as said to the people of the Home country, we do not want any of you — the complete silence which has been displayed has left Southland, as an almost unknown place beyond _S r ew Zealand itself. This should not be. Southland for its size is the most desirable Province for settlement. Her Land Regulations are liberal in the extreme, and ail things point to this Province as the most inviting field for immigration.