Post Sessional Utterances.

Bruce Herald, Volume VII, Issue 650, 17 November 1874, Page 7

Post Sessional Utterances.

ME STEWARD AT OAMARIT. November 13. Mr Steward addressed a meeting of the electors of the Waitaki district at the Volunteer Hall last night. Two hundred and fifty persons were present. He spoke tor two hours, and waa listened to throuijgout with great attention. He reviewed the legislation of the session and the proposals tor universal suffrage with residence qualification and registration. He said a measure to effect this would have his support, but residence for at least a year ia the Colony prior to registration should be required- He believed the scheme for the development of the Pacific Islands trade wouid be again heard of, and there was a great future for New Zealand if she made the most of the advantagea of her geographical position, for the development of tbis trade. He was in favor of an elective Upper House responsible to the people, but the change would never be effected till the constituents were in earnest and brought Btrong pressure to bear. Ma the Premier's resolutions he paid the members of the Assembly, with the exception of a few connected with. Provincial institutions, were convinced that the abolition of Provincialism in the North Island was necessary to the progress of the Colony. He believed if satisfactory machinery of Jocal government were substituted, the time would soon arrive when Canterbury and Otago would ask for its extension to the Middle Island. Nelson, Marlborough, and Westland were already ripe for the change. The seat of government question should be considered aB disposed of, and Wellington recognised as the permanent I political capital. The Government did [not propose to interfere with the land | fund of the Middle Island, and he was bound as an Otago member to resist any such interference. Still he ventured the opinion that were the whole landed revenue of the Colony thrown into one common fund, and, after deducting the Colonial charges, divided pro rata, according to the population, the Middle Island constituencies would, in the long run, benefit, as with tire dying out of Native opposition to the opening of roads and railways in the North Island an enormous area of valuable land would come into the market. A resolution of thanks and entire confidence in Mr Steward was unanimously passed ; as also the following resolution : — " That this meeting ia of opinion that the time has arrived for the abolition, of Provincialism in the North Island, and th» substitution tberefor of a less costly system of Government, securing the expenditure of the local reveuue (after deducting Colonial charges) in the districts in which it is raised ; and, further of opinion that the abolition of the Provinces and substitution of local government with local expenditure of local revenue should be extended to the Middle Island as soon as practicable."