Abolition Debate.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2057, 7 August 1875, Page 3

Abolition Debate.

(fBOM HEBAID COBEESPONDEtfT.) WELLINGTON.

Friday, 7.45 p.m. Mr Atkinson is now speaking on the Abolition question.; He said he would divide the subject into three parts. First, what they might legally have done ; second, what they proposed to do; and third, the reasons for doing it. They might, if they iiked, have simply repeated the second clause of the Constitution Act, and had no objection to introduce a :clauseJ to i.that effect even now. /They, however, deemed it better to adopt the course they had done. 35T0 one of common sense could doubt that having power to abolish the provinces separately they could do it collectively. The Imperial Parliament had conferred on them the power to alter the Constitution to suit the requirements of the country. That was the great principle, and the one for which he would contend as long as he was in the House. Sir George Grey's own history of how the Act of 1868 was passed in the Imperial Parliament proved, if proof were needed, that Parliament took no interest in our local affairs, and was determined to let us manage them as we liked. The Home Government actually sent out the draft of the Act to .see if it-was what we wanted, and then passed ib without alteration. The Government have had the advice of legal officers_of their own, and their advice fully justified the Government in maintaining that they had the necessary power to do what they proposed. The question, however,- was one above technicalities, and what the Assembly had to do was to consider what was right and •just to the colony, not what was written in paper Constitutions, Ua would not say much as to what the bill contained, it spoke clearly for itself. It was to confer real local self-government on the country. (o'ieers and derisive laughter.) Yes, real local self-government, and he ;would say, " Let those laugh who win." It had been impossible: to consult the "Road Boards, but in committee the Government would .be prepared to consider suggestions to make those'bodies more effective. (He is still speaking and explaining the most important clauses in detail.) 8.30 p.m, Major Atkisnon's speech lasted exactly an hour. "His chief indictment against the provinces was that when they had anything to do they delegated their work . to others, as, for instance, by appointing Education Boards, Harbour Boards, &c. During his speech there were frequent ironical cheers, and McGlashan at one time foolishly rose, appealing to the Speaker on the authority of May to put them down. The House roared at such an attempt, and even Major Atkinson himself protested against it by saying that the cheers of his opponents rather encouraged him. . Sir George Grey simply moved its - adjournment, but on the question of its adjournment to half-past seven on Tuesday, Mr Reynolds Taised the point that it was a Government day, and .Government could arrange business as it liked. The Speaker, said the' Government could only do so if the House did not fc-ordor otherwise. "* Major Atkinson then agreed to the adjournment to the hour named. The House is now going on with other business. .

(fbom oub own cobeespo'ndent.) "