COMMENTS ON THE SESSION,

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 391, 16 September 1874, Page 5

COMMENTS ON THE SESSION,

MR ROLLESTON AT CSRISTCHURCH,

(From the Star's Correspondent.)

Christchorch, September 11.

Mr Rolleston gave a lengthy address to his constituents last night, in which he dealt with the la3t and previous sessions. Referring te the Pacific Trade Bill, he said no doubt the connection of New Zealand with the Islands was of great importance to the future oi tbe Colony. He felt strongly en the matter, and would go to a great length to encourage it, believing that the Colony was so situated as to carry on an advantageous trade with the Islands ; but in the present state of the Colouy he would not lead himself to the scheme, because he did not think it a proper one for the Government to embark upon with its present undertakings incotnpleted. He touched upon the personnel of the Government, admitting the Hon. M r M' Lean's ability, but objected to the personal system of tbe administration of Native affairs ; nor does he believe that any one man is absolutely necessary to the Government Referring to railway matters, he said he would be sorry to predict results similar to those which occurred in Canada, but there waa every ground for looking gravely around and using, the utmost caution. The point about which Canterbury had great causa to be nervous was whether they were putting down railways at all, or but tramways. For himself, he held strong opinions upon, and had done his best to prevent what he thought a crying wrong to Canterbury, namely, the forcing upon.it a change from the first-class system of rail' ways it had initiatecl. He' believed the present sytem would not answer the expectations entertained. Speaking of immigration, he said he found Mr Vbgel, as the head 1 of the department, prompt and business-like, and satisfactory to work with ; and though opposed to iiiß policy he (Mr Rolletton) was himself prepared to work cordially with him and do his best to make its administration a success in Canterbury. Coming to' the l*rgvincial question he said the change •was inopportune, because tb^ Assembly had, §gown itself incapable, pf dealing' generally with a large range of subjects affecting localities. The General Qpverninent, as inspectors, had not done their eluty in seeing that Buch institutions as gaols, hospitals^ &c, were properly carried out. The inaccuracy of eqryeya was traceable to insufficient care being taken, in issuing Crown grants, Neither Mr Yogel nor the Houge could see tha result of tbe sudden abolition of the Provjncßß, even over a portion of the Colony, and he warned the Middle Inland particularly to demand increased, representation. It wag absolutely impossible to carry out partial abolition j it must be either all or none. — (uheers.) When a desire for change has been most un. mistakeably expressed he would accept it ; but at present he did not see his way, and was .waiting, as he hoped the people were waiting, to see the details of the scheme. Powerful Otago and Canterbury would not suffer any scheme to be adopted which would tend todothem wrong in respect to the rest of the Colony. He trusted the people of those Frovinceswouldiookteit at the next election to return men who would express themselves clearly as to what they intended to do with regard to the proposed changes. Referring to the debates in the House, he asked where were the substantial revenues referred to by Mr Yogel to come from ? He waß at a lo3a to know. On what principle was Mr Yogel going to frame the Bills giving these revenues and localising tbe land revenues ? In conclusion, 'Mr Rollestdn said he hoped the people generally would sho*" that they respected existing institutions, and would demand 'to be coogulbed before any great change was made. Personally he did not' 1 think a man holding hig position should' blindly oppo?e any particular form of the Constitution aftet the people had Hnmistakeably dec'ared for a change. When so declared it was his duty to do the best he could to guide that change for tb,e. hegi interests" of $he people,