THE GREY ANNEXATION.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 713, 20 September 1870, Page 2

THE GREY ANNEXATION.

MR. KYNNERSLEY'S OPPOSITION TO THE GOVERNMENT. In the House of Representatives, on the second reading of the Railways Bill, Mr "W. H. Harrison moved as an amendment, that the Bill be read a second time that day six months. He did so for reasons entirely outside the merits of the Bill before the House. So strong was his feeling at the absolute injustice done by the G-overnment in the matter of the Grey annexation, that it was his intention to oppose, in every possible way, the passage of every Bill which the G-overnment would bring before the House this session.

Mr Vogel thought the honorable member should be rebuked for getting up and declaring that he would be obstructive because some measure which he advocated had not been passed. If Buch a course were to be allowed, they would degenerate into a free fight before long. He trusted that the Speaker would call the honorable member to order ; the character of the House demanded it.

The Speaker said that the honorable member did not appear to be guilty of any breach of order. He must say that the course the honorable member was taking was very peculiar and unusual, but it was quite competent for him to act in that manner if he thought proper, although he would, in all probability, incur the disapprobation of the House.

Mr Hall stated, from his knowledge of the facts of the case, that, although the honorable member was adopting an extreme course, he had received extreme provocation.

Mr Kynnersley would support the amendment. He saw, by clause 13, that it was proposed to construct a railway from Nelson to Cobden. One of the principal reasons given for constructing that railway was, that it would be a great convenience for the miners residing in that district. He thought it would be inconsistent to have any consideration for the miners after the way they had been treated during the session. He would be bound to support the honorable member for "Westland Boroughs in the extreme course he was going to take, for he considered the action of the Government as an entire breach of faith, not only to the honorable member, but also to the inhabitants of the Grey district.

Mr Barff said it appeared to him

that tlie mover and seconder of the amendment wore acting in a very childish manner.

The Speaker informed the honorable member that he was not in order in making use of such language. Mr Barff said that if he knew how to put the idea in different language so as to mean the same thing, he would do so. He desired to congratulate the Government upon having expressed an intention of withdrawing a Bill which was certainly most offensive, in many respects, to a large portion of the population on the West Coast. The withdrawal of such a Bill would, to his mind, he a step in the rigbt direction. Mr Vogel, in the course of his general reply, said—l have been forced to think to-night that there may be something worse than a provincialist or a centralist party in the House, and that is, a party representing such infinitessimal divisions and narrow principles, that it would be almost hopeless to expect to carry on the public business at all, if such a party were to obtain any dominance. A division was then taken on the amendment of Mr Harrison as follows : —Ayes, 4 ; Noes, 35. The following members voted with the Ayes —Messrs Kynnersley, Ludlam, Brown, and Richmond. The second reading was then agreed to amid cheers Previous to the division being taken, Mr W. H. Harrison mentioned that he had paired on this bill against the Government, but he had been locked in, and should therefore record his vote with the Noes. Next evening, on the motion for going into Committee on the same bill, Mr W. H. Harrison demanded a division, which took place with the following result: —Ayes, 34; Noes, 2. The motion was therefore negatived. The members voting with the Noes were Messrs W. H. Harrison and Kynnersley. The House then went into Committee on the bill. On the question that the enacting clause be postponed, Mr Kynnersley demanded a division, which resulted as follows : —Ayes, 31 ; Noes, 2. Messrs Kynnersley and Brown voted with the minority. On the question that the short title be the short title of the bill, Mr Kynnersley again demanded a division, which took place as follows : —Ayes, 24 ; Noes, 2. The clause then passed. Mr Harrison then required the clauses to be read by the clerk which was done. On clause three, Mr Kynnersley objected to this clause. He was sorry to be obliged to assume the attitude of opposition to this bill, which he felt it his duty to do, but it was owing to the Government breaking faith with the inhabitants of Grey Valley ; as they had promised to bring the petition of those inhabitants before the House, and had now refused to do so. He objected to this clause because the Government had broken a contract with the representatives of Westland. Mr Vogel said that the hon. gentleman had not the ability, although he had the will, to discuss the third clause, and he hoped the Chairman would keep the hon. member close to the question. Mr Kynnersley said he should divide the House upon every clause, and upon every word of every clause of every bill introduced by the Government until justice was done his constituents, by bringing their petition before the House.

On the clause being put, a division was demanded, which took place as follows: Ayes, 28 ; Noes, 2. On clause four being read, Mr Kynnersley moved the addition of the word covenant in the first line of the clause.

Mr Bunny deprecated the continuance of this practice. The House was being detained and no good done. Mr Vogel said that the Government would not alter the position of the Order Paper to meet the views of these hon. members. The bill would come on for discussion in a short time, and then the Government would move that it be discharged. After some further discussion, in which Messrs Swan and Wilson took part, Mr W. H. Harrison said that the G-overnment had stated that they intended to bring forward reasons why theWestland Boundaries Bill should be discharged. But the Government would have saved a great deal of trouble if they had given the members for Westland these reasons. The result of the action of the Government would be to stir up an intense excitement in the part of the country from which he came.

Mr Kynnersley said that, had he been backed up by the 200 settlers from Wellington or any large Province, the petition would have received attention in the House. He would again state his intention to divide the committee on every word of every clause in every measure of the Government until the bill for the alteration of the boundaries of "Westland had an opportunity of being considered. He was quite prepared to stay up jnight and day for a month if required. A lengthy discussion ensued. Ultimately Mr Vogel said that he would agree to this, that the Government would make the consideration of "Westland Boundary Bill the first order of the day for the next sitting day. Mr Kynnersley was quite willing to accept this, and would withdraw his motion.

On the following evening there was a full discussion of the "Westland

Boundaries Bill, when Mr Vogel stated ! the reasons for the discharge of the Bill and the appointment of a commission instead. Referring to Mr Kynnersley, Mr Vogel said he felt sure the House would excuse the hon. memher for the course ho had taken on account of his inexperience. On the same evening, on Mr Borlase moving the second reading of the Customs Tariff Bill six months hence, Mr Kynnersley supported the amendment. The Hon. the Colonial Treasurer had on a former occasion sad that the House would excuse him (Mr Kynnersley) for the course he had taken with regard to certain measures on the ground of his youth and inexperience. Now he (Mr Kynnersley) could only excuse tha action of the Colonial Treasurer in introducing this bill on account of his age and imbecility. He was opposed to protection, in the interests of his constituents. The item he principally objected to was the tax on breadstuffs. He should oppose the measure. Mr Kynnersley's speech on the Annexation question we shall give in an early number.