MEMBERS OUT OF PARLIA. MENT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 397, 7 October 1874, Page 6

MEMBERS OUT OF PARLIA. MENT.

"Kew Plymouth, October 1.

The Hon. Major Atkinson addressed hie constituents on After referring to local subjects he said he thought the Colony would get tbe worth of its money in public works. Notwithstanding the number of immigrants pouring in, the cry w-*s for more, is Mr Reeves had said, the T&rauaki members did not represent tbe feeling of the t'eop'e of that Province, he wished them to pass a resolution expres-siag their opiniou upon the point. — (Loud cheei ing ) H e compared the position of Auckland, Otago, and Canterbury, and pointed out why + be latter should not bo abolished. The Public Works scheme meant ultimately tbe extinguishment of the Provinces. As long as the Provinces h?d money to take part in the settlement of the land, they woald exist, but no longer. In answer to a question, he said the Ministry's scheme was for a central Government. The following resolutions were then carried unanimously, only one hand being held up against them : — " That this meeting is of of opinion that Mr Vogel's resolutions, proposing the abolition of Provinces in the North Island and to substitute in their place a form of Government really local in nature, s wise, statesmanlike, and deserving of bearty support. That the land fund of the several Provinces should combine to be, as far as practicable, localised. That this meeting do* s not desire to see the land fund of the Southern Provinces taken for expenditure in the North Is'and ; but, on the contrary, wißhes to see it applied locally to its legitimate purpose of opening up and peopling the country. Mr Standish, a member of the Provincial Executive, moved an amendment to the first resolution, to the effect that this meeting reserves to itself an expression of opinion as to Major Atkinson's action, re Provincial changes until it was in a better position to judge of the question ; but the amendment did not find a seconder. A. vote of confidence in Major Atkinson concluded the proeaedings.