HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1720, 14 July 1883, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

•'•YESTERbSY: The House met at 2.30 p.m. , , „ r The" RegistratiGn of Electors |Act Amend incut Bill and the r G mainland „ Lotteiies Act'Aniendment Bill'( Pyke), •■> were read a fit"t time. t, , j ' Mr .Sheplu>rd resumed' the debate on* i Mr Montgomery's' resolutions. He regietted th.it the House seemed to, be reduced to , the t position of ,i coloni.il debating Society. There was nothing practical in what they were discussing. He opposed the resolutions. *-■ 'f J » | Mr Duncan supported the resolutions'. The House resumed sit 7.30. Mr Duncan continued the debate, narrating a number of locil grievances, He was m favoui;.of insular • separation, but would support the resolution. < ■ Mr Ivess ,s(dd his districtt»lia,d { pronounced against centralism. That system had failed.,, He was not in favour of reviving provincialism, but thought that the powers of the counties should be largely 'increased, and tliu number'of counties reduced. He-would support the resolutions. Mr Wv'nn-Williams' ridiculed the ridiculous and trivial local grievances which were bains; urged as a ground for a serious constitutional change. The resolutions had neither head nor tail, inside nor outside. Ho was surprised at the audacity of Mr Montgomery' in bringing down such resolutions to that House. Canterbury, at least/would never revive the farce of provincialism. He charged Mr Holmes with • doing more than any man in the colony to injure the prospects of the \Vest Coast Railway by the course he was adopting. The idea' of ,Otago, Canterbury and Westland agreeing under' one local government was ridiculous Ho stiongly condemned Sir G. Grey's conduct in constantly making serious charges of dishonour.ible conduct against Ministers, lie ch.uacteiised Mr Rusden's statenients about Mr Bryce as infamous, vile, and scunilous, and such as the House should resent. Mr Bracken thought the resolutions would soon scour the hearts of the people ot the colony. Niuety-nine out of,every hundred muu in the colony would condemn the piesent system of Government, which fostered and stimulated local jealousies. He ndvocated a federal union as the best form of Government for New ZeHlmid. Owing to its configuration the colony would not much lonucr submit to be governed from Wellington. I (Lott sitting.) ■ j