POLITICAL—PROVINCIAL.

Southland Times, Issue 544, 20 August 1866, Page 5

POLITICAL— PROVINCIAL.

The seventh session of the Provincial Council of Southland commenced on Wednesday, the 18th July. Owing to serious indisposition, His Honor the Superintendent was precluded opening the in person. The speech was read by the Speaker. It stated that the subjects for which the Council had been called together to consider, were few, viz :— the leasing or sale of the Railways, and the appointment of a Home Immigration Agent. The bills to this end . came pn for discussion on the following day, when an animated debate ensued. It appeared that the Government had I (conditionally) appointed a gentleman to | proceed to Australia and England, without the Council having made provision^ for the creation of such an office ; and strong opposition was shown to the measure. Few questioned the desirability of having a Home Immigration Agent, or questioned the qualifications of the gentleman appointed (Dr Eccles) but opposed the bill upon constitutional grounds. They took exception to government creating new offices first, and then coming to the Council for its endorsement to -their proceedings. The discussion which was lengthy and somewhat stormy, resulted in the Home Immigration Agent's Bill being thrown out by a large majority. This arose not so much from a want ofeonfii dence in the existing ministry, but from a ! conviction that they had adopted an unconstitutional course — that they had assumed legislative as will as an administrative powers that were inconsistant with the functions of responsible governters. Still few who opposed the govern- • ment on this question desired their retirement, and fortunately we have been saved another ministerial crisis. The fact however cannot be . disguised that there is~ a general feeling in favor of fresh blood being introduced — the Ministry is too small, and the general desire is that others should be added to it, but as is always the case in small communities, qualified men are difficult to be found. However the session has been tided over, and although the G-overnment were , de- • feated on the Home Agent question, they » carried the Railway sale and leasing bills with large majorities, and a motion tantamount to a " want of confidence" vote, that was brought forward received scarcely a shadow of support. That the ministry requires strengthening, but few will question, and we doubt not that before the next summary we shall have to record that the Government has become strong. The Bluff and Invercargill Railway is nearly completed, and we hope in our next summary to be in a position to announce that it has been opened. The land sales are steadily progressing. The liabilities incurred for the construction of railways and other public' works are rapidly diminishing, and confidence in the future becoming firm: Ttte recent, commercial panic in England which has also "had a powerful effect on the commercial interests in Australia, and some of the New Zealand provinces has not been felt h ere — Southland has gone through the fire, and is now recovering from the scorching, with a steady progress which indicates future vigor ; in fact this province is perhaps the most co luniercially . stable of any in the colony. The opening of the Bluff Haabor and Invercargill Railway i 3 looked forward to with considerable interest, and the delay has arisen, called forth an expression of public feeing to the effect that the event has been too long delayed. A movement has been initiated for the holding of a public meeting to induce the Government to afford some explanation as to the delay that has been experienced in this matter. The subjoined memorial to H. M'Culloch, Esq., Sherifi, calling upon him to convene the meeting; has already .received the endorsement of a large portion of the influential inhabitanns of Invercargill. It say We the undersigned, respectfully request you to call a public meeting ' of the inhabitants of Southland, for the purpose of taking into consideration matters coucerniug the opening of the Bluff and Invercargill Railway. [Here follow* signatures.] .J