THE DEBATE AT WELLINGTON.

Waikato Times, Issue 660, 12 August 1876, Page 2

THE DEBATE AT WELLINGTON.

We take from tho ' Cross' the following sketch of tho Housa proceedings on Welne^day, after tha closing of tho telegraph, which forms the conriectiiif,' link between nur latest report in last issue, and that received from our special reporter, which take up the wbato with tho speech 'of Mr Bhllan<:e in thi-> : — Mr Stout, followed Mr Stafford and wa^ prolix on broken :>led^es, log-rolling, back door influence, and the deserved defeat of the majority of the Ota go member? who had supported the Government last year. Towards tho close he waxed vr.irhko. Though he would not threaten, ho would warn the Government that Otago men were of a race that nerer submitted, but were ready to tight; and ho asserted that the best statesmanship recognised tho pro-

prcty of submission to the fi.'elinu s ani prejudices of the people. Mr lidleston ran a middle course between t'u Government and Sir George Grey's resolutions, The former were impracticable, and the latter too revolu.ionary- He dherded to Provincit'i^m &•* capable o** improvement by modifications, but cmld not vote for the Separation resolutions. He was characteristically sad as to the prevailing distrust ot the puolic men of the colony, and lie Id that to bo enhanced by rumours a« to the probability of the Premier a«suminjs the Atjent Genernlship. Mr Joyce (Southland) dilated on Provincialism and little a! c and loft it doubtful how he would vote, though ho seemed to indicate his favour for the resolutions.

Two matters are noticable in the lafe speeches mnde during the Separation debate. Mr Stafford, in speaking, allnded to the lato Land Fund resolutions, and declared that if Droughtforward in the next Session, he could assure them a far wider support. Mr 11. Wood, in the. course of his speech is reported to have plainly stated that i h» Opposition, if defeated, were propared with further proposals. It is understood that he alludes to a proposal that the coming into oporation of the Abolition Act shall be again delayed Until after next Si ssion, the country in the meantime t» be appealed to ou the question of Separation.