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Southland Times, Issue 601, 7 December 1866, Page 2

The debate that is now going on in the Provincial Council of Otago on the Government resolutions with reference to the relations of the General and Provincial governments is one of considerable interest and importance. It will bring the question of Reform before the public in all its varied shapes, and ensure for the subject deliberate consideration in all the Provinces. The debate, as far as it has proceeded, has been characterised bj great earnestness and talent, and may be ranked among the greatest discussions that have ever tat en place in any Legislative Assembly in New Zealand. The speeches of the Treasurer (Mr Yogel), Major Richardson, Messrs Dillon Bell, Moss, and Captain Mackenzie bear the stamp of study and statesman-like ability. The following preamble to the series of resolutions was carried, viz :-— " That the course of events in the North Island durirg the last few years has had a tendency to injuriously affect the interests of the Provinces of both Islands ; and this Council is of opinion that those events point to the necessity of endeavoring to secure the co-operation of the Provinces generally towards giving effect to the following objects : — " Ist. That the South Island should no longer interfere in Native Affairs." The Treasurer in proposing the resolution lucidly explained the present position of the Provincial and General Governments, strongly advocating union of action on the part of the provinces of the Middle Island as being essential to a Reform. Mr Moss, ex-Treasurer, brought forward an amendment, not meant as antagonistic to the resolution, but as an improvement upon it, and delivered a speech which for length and conciseness has seldom been surpassed, and in which the views we have long since advocated in this journal, as to the necessity of a Middle Island conference, were elaborated and advocated in a masterly oration. The amendment was : — " That a respectful address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to communicate with the Superintendents of other Provinces in the Middle Island, with a view of securing their co-operation in assembling a Conference in Christchurch, to consider the position of the Provinces of the Middle Island in reference to the charge of Native Affairs in the North Island, and the measures necessary to place the relations of the Provinces and the General Government on a safe and definite basis ; and further requesting His Honor to place on the Estimates such sum as he may consider necessary for the representation of Otago at such Conference." The amendment was favorably received, and upon the Treasurer expressing the willingness of the Government to embody the spirit of the amendment in the original resolutions by adding to them the following : — " That a respectful Address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent requesting him to take such steps, by the assembly of a Conference or otherwise, as he may think best calculated to give effect to these resolutions." Mr Moss, with the leave of the House, withdrew his amendment. We may now congratulate the people upon the prospect of some practicable and decisive scheme of union of action being adopted, before the next session of the General Assembly, in the matter of a reform in the Constitution. Irom the tone of the Press and the politicians of Canterbury, it is evident that the idea of a Conference will be heartily embraced, and should judgment fee displayed in the selection of delegates, great results may be anticipated. Southland is intimately interested in the subject, and it is to be hoped that one of the first questions brought forward when the Council meets in January will be similar to that now being debated in Otago, and watched with intense interest in Canterbury. It would be folly to review the debate in all its bearings at this stage of its progress, but when it has terminated we shall return to the subject.