RE-UNION OF OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 203, 17 January 1866, Page 5 (Supplement)

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 Yog-el moved— " That it is highly desirable the Provinces of - Otago and South'and should agree to re-unite. " That the basis of such union, should be the permanently appropriating to each Province its : own land revenue, subject only to the liquidation of the habihties 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 Otago, that that should be done which would certainly prombt. the material interests of both Provinces. Their interests were really at one — their resources were singularly similar— one G-overnment 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, Otago 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 v resources. Mr. Bbodie seconded the motion. Mr.' Gtbant 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 effect anything. Mr. Blaib did not at all question the importance of the motion or the soundness of the arguments 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 Tbeasubeb would have been glad if the previous question had been moved. The Council would not hke to negative the motion, for none could deny the general proposition it contained ; and the Council could not well affirm the motion, in the absence of proof of what was to be gained. 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. iiErifOLDS 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 G-overnment 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 knuckleß from Southland herself. . Mr. Rennie seconded the amendment. Mr. Yogel Baidhe would be willing to withdraw the second paragraph. Mr. Adam: thought that there should be postponement, so that every constituency might be represented on so important a question. Mr. John Cabgull 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 next session. Mr. Ried would support the motion, if the second paragraph was struck out. After some discussion, Mr. YottEL replied; and then, by leave, the second paragraph of the motion was struck out, and the " previous question " was withdrawn. Mr. Bitbns supported the motion. He believed the people of Southland, almost to a man, would, if polled, declare in favor of re-uniting with Otago. The motion, as amended, was aftirmed.