ABOLITION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILLS. PUBLIC MEETING AT HAMILTON.

Waikato Times, Volume IX, Issue 506, 17 August 1875, Page 2

ABOLITION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILLS. PUBLIC MEETING AT HAMILTON.

A large and influential public meeting was held in the Court House la3t evening, to consider the Abolition of Provinces and Local (jrovemment Bill. Owing to some misunderstanding as to where the meeting was to be held there was some delay in commencing the proceedings. Abhalf-pisb seven the Coiivt House was tilled in every part. Mr Seddon was voted to the chair, and read the notice convening the meeting. Mr Potter said, before the business commenced,he would like bo ask why the meeting had been convened by the chairmen of the Hamilton East, Hamilton West, and Hamilton District* Boards, while a large number of other Boards had never been consulted in the matter. There should have been a more general invitation. The Obairraan said he thought it would have beon more courteous for the conveners to hare spoken to other Boards on the subject. Mr Morris explained that there had been no time to consult the other Boards, as the Bills would probably be carried through the House on Tuesday (this day). A good deal of time was taken up in discussing the advisability of making it a public meeting, or a meeting of ratepayers only, and it was finally decided to adhere to the terms of the notice convening the meeting. TheOhairman was of opinion that a great crisis was at hand. What they wanted was a cheaper and more efficient form of Government. He then in an able manner briefly reviewed the main objections to Provincialism. Mr Morris denied being a Provinclalist. He had Jong been an Abolitionist. He believed the time had come for the abolition of Provincial Institutions, but they should first consider what they were likely to get in lieu thereof. The speaker strongly urged that time should be given for opinions to be expressed, and moved the following resolution : — " That whilst this meeting is of opinion that the time has arrived for the abolition of the provinces, it also considers the present proposed measures should not be passed without the coirntrv having sufficient time to understand them." Mr Johns, in a brief speech, seconded the resolution. Mr A. Cox moved as an amendment: " That this meeting is of opinion that in order to ensure the success of the lrami gration and Public Works policy, to provide for the efficient and economical adminisi ration of the Government, of the cnunlry, and to secure justice to the outdistricts, it is ex edient that the Ah>lition of Provinces and L >cal Government Bills should become law during 1 the present session of Parliament." The mover dehvere 1 a mo-;t ab!o and telling speech on the colonial aspect of the question under discussion, dwelling especially oh the follj of condemning one chuse of the bill, which would undergo rao iificatiuns in committee. He also quoted portions ot Mr Morris's address to the electors when a candidate for the Provincial Council, aud iv which he stated that the Abolition of Provincialism would become necessary next (thin) session of the Genenl Assembly. He concluded amidst applause. Mr Montrose seconded the amendment, stating- that he did so in his private capacity as a ratepayer and an elector, and apart altogether from his journalistic connection. The speaker went largely into figures, and shewed that the proposal to postpone the consideration of the question had been raised by the Provincial party whenever abolition had been propose I, and was nothing more than an attempt to get rid of the question by a side w.nd. Mr Bright supported the amendment. Mr Morris replied, expressing his satisj faction at the discussion which his motion had elicited, and concluding by asking the permission of his seconder to withdraw the resolution. Mr Johns, after a few remarks, consented to withdraw the resolution, on condition that certain recommendations should be passed as a distinct resolution. The amendment waa then pat and carried unanimously, aud with enthusiasm. Mr Johns then proposed, " That this meeting suggests that the condition of the clause, giving the title to vote, be so altered as to iuolude &9 many votes aa the present lawß." Mr Cox seconded the resolution which was carried uuanimously. Mr Hammond proposed, ?'Tha6 the resolutions passed at this meatinsf be telegraphed by tho Chairnnu to Al «j >r Jucksou, with a request that ttie same ue laid befoie the G.)verniueit." Mr Munis seooaded tho motion, which w<\b oui'ifujd uuttuiawudlvt

On the m >lion of Mr Morriit, seconded by Mr (Jox, a vote of thauka to the chairman, was carried by acclamation, and that urentlmnan having briefly thanked the meeting, the proceediug-a terminated. We may add that the meeting wus m >sfc orderly throughout, und conducted with regularity. We shall publish a full report in our next issue. *