The Waipawa Mail SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1878.

Waipawa Mail, Volume I, Issue 15, 2 November 1878, Page 2

The Waipawa Mail SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1878.

By a majority of one tlie House of Representatives has resolved that the next session of the General Assembly be held at Christchurch. This is not the first time that a motion to the same effect has been carried. It was in 1871, we believe, that the Lower House by a considerable majority affirmed the desirability of having peripatetic Parliaments, but nothing came of the resolution, although the all-powerful Sir Julius Vogel had expressed himself favorable to the change, and it may be safely assumed that the motion carried on Tuesday evening last will be equally barren of result. Mr Shrimski, the member for Oamaru, and by no means a prominent politician, is the gentleman who took the initiative this year. He stated that the object of his motion was to consult the convenience of members. The arguments advanced in 1871 were of a different character. It was then contended, unfortunately with too much truth, that hon. gentlemen were entirely ignorant of those portions of the country outside their own particular districts, and it was argued that this ignorauce would be removed by holding the sessions of the Assembly in turn at Christchurch, Dunedin, Auckland, Nelson, and so on till every nook and corner would have had an opportunity of admiring the wisdom and eloquence of our legislators. Members whilst gaining a knowledge of every portion of the colony, would elevate the tone of society in the several communities amongst whom they sojourned for a few months in the year. But it was not to be. "Wellington has continued to reap all the advantages morally, intellectually, and financially. The last of which advantages practical people consider the main desideratum. All these beneficient says have been shed upon Wellington for a considerable number of years, and it is now somewhat surprising to be told that Wellington, notwithstanding its central position and healthy climate, is no fit phice for members to congregate. What baneful effects have followed the presence of the “collective wisdom” of the country for a few months each year in the present capital? Members have answered that question by their vote on Tuesday last, and the answer is by no means flattering to themselves. Surely they should pause before inflicting themselves on the innocent and primitive communities to the northwards and southwards of Cook Strait. It is always advisable to concent rate the objectionable elements of a people in one spot. That is the basis of our criminal law. Those whose presence at large would have baneful results are confined within narrow limits.

However, as we said before, there is little prospect of Mr Shiiiaiski’s resolution being carried into effect, and the citizens of the Cathedral City may pursue the even tenor of their wav, undisturbed by any gloomy forebodings of the presence amongst them of that deteriorating element which it has been alleged has rendered Wellington unfit to be the abode of even a member of the House of Representatives. Fifteen years’ tuition have made the pupils more accomplished adepts than the teachers in the “ ways that are dark.” It is somewhat ominous for the giving effect to the motion that three prominent members of the

Ministry voted against the next session of Parliament being held at Christchurch. The change would involve the expenditure of an extra hundred thousand or two, and the finances of the colony would not admit of such an outlay. The Government is not absolutely bound to carry out a simple resolution of one branch of the Legislature. Besides, it is a question on which the Upper House would have to be consulted. The “ Lords” cannot be shifted by the will of the Lower Chamber. Members of the Legislative Council are not subject to popular clamour, and it may be relied upon that they would not consent to the undignified course of moving the sittings of the General Assembly from one place to another with no other object than pandering to narrow local jealousies.