TELEGRAMS.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 123, 22 October 1874, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

(Per Anglo-Australian Press Telegraph A ye nog.) Auckland. October 21 To-day’s Herald publishes a petition to (he Governor by Sir George Grey, forwarded to that journal by his Honor the iSuporintndenc, against the proposed constitutional changes. Sir George asks that the Superintendent will take steps to get the petition signed. The petition sets forth—“ That Her Majesty appoints the Governor of (lie colony of New Zealand to exercise the powers belonging to the Queen by prerogative, as well as the power conferred on the Governor of the country by or in pursuance of the New Zealand Representative Constitution Act. That any Acts performed by the Governor in excess or in violation of such above stated powers, are unconstitutional and a violation of the Acts of Parliament, and of the rights and liberties of the people of the colony, and would in youi petitioners’ belief be hurtful to the interests, present or prospective, of her Majesty’s dominions. That the New Zealand Kepre sentative Constitution Act establishes in New Zealand a constitution of four estates : the Crown or Governor, Legislative Council. House of Representatives, and Provincial Government. These are all creations of the same Act. Parliament has no power but such as it derives from that Act. These powers are all carefully balanced to form one whole, which is the representative Government of the country. That the Governor is bound by duty to protect each of these estates in the exercise and enjoyment of their respective powers and privileges. That he is for some acts responsible to the General Assembly, for some acts he is responsible to the Provincial Government, and that no advice given him by one or more of these estates will justify him in attempting directly or indirectly to deprive any other estate or estates of their existence or of the powers or privileges which the Representative Constitution Act assures to them. The fear, and that for obvious reasons, would always be that that Legislature which least truly represented the people would strive to destroy those bodies which were mo-t truly representative and independent. That at 'he various elections for the General Assembly the people of the colony for many years past returned members to the House of Representatives to exercise the powers conferred upon such representatives by the New Zealand Representative Con-

stitullon Act, nncl no other powers' nor could the elections confer any other powers upon them, and any other powers which such representatives may exercise, or claim to exercise, or may have exercised, and all acts at any time done, or now about to be done, in pursuance of such assumed powers are, and always have been, absolutely null, void, and have no effect whateve''. I hat, by the said dew Zea'and Representative Constitutional Act, the most valuable privileges, vie his, and liberties were assured to the subjects of her ajesiy residing in these islands, by the establishment of provinces (herein, and of the provincial system under which they arc allowed to elect their own Superintendent or Governor for a term of four years for large districts, the territory of which in some instances exceed in extent what are regarded as important British colonies. That any parent in these islands may thus hope to see the child of a deserving man raised by, his fellow colonists to high and useful offices, and worthy objects of ambition are also opened out to all, which fact cannot fail in tire process of time to exercise a most important influence upon the character of the people of New Zealand, from whom, as being inhabitants of a more dependency of a great nation, many of the most worthy and ennobling objects of ambition are cut off. The petition proceeds to set forth the advantages of provincialism in the making by the people of their own local laws, securing the efficient

expenditure of money, the training of the population to political discussions, and making all educated men to some extent statesmen. That the provincial or federal system has been very successful. Vast difficulties have been overcome, ana contentment has prevailed. The petitioner hoped to see this federal system help to solve many difficulties of the future; that happily hereafter the whole English speaking race might be welded together in some such federation, insuring to mankind a peace and prosperity that no previous age hat! witnessed. That the petitionersccscvery person of the Russian race convinced that the country is marching on to the great future which they have before them. The same feeling prevails in the United States of America. The German and Italian speaking races are federating into separate great empires, with a view to future progress. The dependencies of the British Grown alone appear to be utterly neglected, and to be formed by degrees into isolated communities, often with questions unnecessarily created between them which are Bkely to give rise to future disputes. In some instances they are absolutely abandoned. For them no future is opened out, and your petitioner would dread to see the federal system abolished, which he trusted offered the prospect of a solution for these difficulties. Indeed so succe sful had the federal system proved in this colony, that it was adopted in Canada, that wise course being ordered by her Majesty’s late Government. If possible, it would bo introduced into South Afiica, although they had up to this time been opposed to that measure, and the Governor of Cape Colony recently stated that if that Government had been allowed to reunite the whole of South Africa, when it might easily have been accomplished, he would have had very little apprehension for the future ; but as it is, ho is afraid that federation is still far in the distance. That the before-mentioned privileges and other rights confirmed to the inhabitants of New Zealand fo" watching and controlling the public expenditure, and for guarding against the unjust and partial alienation of public lands by the scrutiny of a local freely elected legislative body, are of greater value to them, because, in the General Assembly of the colony, which is composed of the three estates, the Governor, the Legislative Council, and the House of Representatives, which form of legislature was imposed upon this country by, or under, an Act of Parliament, in which its inhabitants were not represented, the Crown reserved to itself the right of nominating two out of three estates of su h Legislature, viz., the Governor and the Legislative Council, the members of which body are nominated by the Crown for life. That the petitioner and his fellow colonists, are thus only directly represented in one branch of the said Legislature, and are subjected to a constitution repugnant to that of Great Britain. That the British Parliament ought to continue to protect the weaker and truly representative bodies which it had called into existence. That (ho British Parliament had placed it beyond the power of the Assembly to destroy the provinces, for good reasons. That relying on this, the petitioner and other colonists had quietly occupied themselves in other pursuits. That the Assembly had recently taken steps which would result in the total abolition of the provinces. That the petitioner was also now credibly informed that the Premier of the colony had recently gone to England, and that one of the objects of such proceeding on his part is to endeavor to obtain an alteration by the British Parliament of the New Zealand Constitution Art, in order that powers may be conferred upon the General Assembly of New Zealand, enabling it to abolish either in whole or in part the existing provinces and Provincial Governments in New Zealand. That the Imperial Government, which has so many weighty duties to discharge, ought not to be drawn unnecessarily into interf. ring in a local question of this kind with an important colony, and that every good subject will strive to keep her Majesty and her Majesty’s advisers clear of such questions. That the British Parliament ought not to be led, without due warning, without full knowledge of the people of this country, and with nut the several separate Provincial Govern incuts being first heard, to pass an Act which would destroy complete representative institutions in the colony, and would therefore greatly augment the n sj onsihilivy of the British Parliament to the inhabitants of New Zealand, for the consequences which may flow from the,measures of the General Assembly. That the only manner in which the petitioner ami his fellow colonists can be aware of the representation already made or about to be made to the British Government to induce Parliament to alter the New Zealand constitution, and of your Excellency’s recommendation and suggestions relating thereto, which must have very important influence, is by all the papers connected with this subject being laid without delay before the General Assembly, accompanied by explanations from the present Ministry. That unless such information is at once afforded it will be impossible now to devise or take measures in time to prevent Parliam°nt from hurriedly taking a step which it would certainly hereafter regret having taken, and which, if taken, would create a feeling between this colony and

Great Britain which would ultimately bear ill fruit That the petitioner believes there is no instance (unless it has been accomplished by tyranny or by a revolution) of an independent and freely elected legislature established by law amongst an inoffensive and industrious people being swept away without the consent of each such legislatures, and consequently of those whom they represent, having previously been obtained by Act passed by itself. That any Provincial Government that might abdicate its fane'ions, would probably only do so upon the condition of the whole of the New Zealand constitution hebig recast, so that the General Assembly might he composed in a manner consonant with popular rights and English feelings, at the same time stipulating for an equivalent for the rights resigned and losses past and prospective. That your petitioner would therefore deem any attempt to induce Parliament to lend itself, without full information and withuuttheconsentof the people of the provinces previously obtained, in a lawful and constitutional manner, to any plan for the destruction of provincial institutions now enjoyed by the people of this country, a wrong, and a breach of public faith, and a bad public example to the whole empire. That the petitioner therefore humbly hopes his Excellency may feel it his bounded duty to his Queen and Country, no less than to New Zealand, and to Provincial Governments, to whom by law his Excellency owes independent duties, to prevent Parliament from being surprised into an act so fraught with momentous consequences for the present and future of the colony, and for its relations with the mother country, by at once summoning the General Assembly of New Zealand to meet with the least possible delay in order that all the necessary information may afforded to the inhabitants of the colony. That the petitioner further prays that a copy of this petition may at once he transmitted to Her Majesty’s Government, with a respectful request that it may be laid before Parliament, and that His Excellency will immediately send a telegraphic message to Her Majesty’s Government pointing out that at the present time there is no person constitutionally or in point of law qualified to negotiate or communicate with Her Majesty’s Government on the subject of the abolition of provincial institutions of this country, and that any negotiation for such purpose at present entered upon should be an illegal and unconstitutional act on the part of both parties to such negotiations, in violation of the rights, liberties, and privileges assured to the people of New Zealand by the Act giving a representative constitution to the colony, and an unnecessary public error, as there are proper and constitutional means of settling the whole question. After being locked up all night, the jury in the Star libel case was discharged without a verdict. It is understood that eight were for “ Not Guilty,” four for “Guilty,” The Hank of New Zealand held its annual meeting to day. The report showed a net profit of £15,703, with a balance from last year of £13,212. A dividend of ten per cent was declared, with a bonus of ss, and a balance earned forward of £13,010. The report, was adopted. The Hon James Williamson was elected director vice Mr Taylor, resigned. Mr Taylor was elected auditor. Alexandra, October 21. Rowi has been at Taupo some time, unsuccessfully endeavoring to stop road making in that locality. He has written to Manuhiri for his consent to spill blood there. THIS DA TS TELE G BAMS, Auckland, October 22. A fire occurred this morning at four o’clock, and burned down a block of buildings at the junction of Wakefield street with Queen and Rutland streets. The lire broke out in Kerasley’s earthenware shop. Three small dwcldoghouses in Rutland street rapidly caught, and the inmates barely escaped in their night-dresses. The Charlemoot Hotel, a brick building, in Wakefield street, next caught and rapidly succumbed. There was a great scarcity of water, which rendered the efforts of the Fire Brigade unavailing. A two storey building occupied by Woodward, baker, and a dressmaker’s adjoining Sandall’s the butcher, also caught fire. By this time a copious supply of water had been procured, and although the fire had obtained a strong hold on the building it was extinguished through the efforts of the brigade. The insurances so far as ascertained are— Kemspley stock and furniture. £(!50 in the Victoria Company ; Charlemont Hotel, £6OO in the Norwich Union ; Saudall’s, £250 in the National. A good deal of property was carried out. The fire originated in a shed at the rear of Kemsley’s premises. He was burned out a year ago at River Head. Napier, Oct 22. The ship Rosella from California to Dunedin, when seventy-six days out met with heavy weather, and sprung a leak. She had to put in here for repairs. Dunedin, October 22. Mr Wales met his constituents at the Temperance Hall last night. He said that nothing but a very strong appeal to the Home country, would bring about any alteration in the Upper House, which, though obstructive, was useful. Unless fresh population flowed in, and the newcomers were industrious y and profitably occupied, the results of the Public Works and Immigration scheme would he most serious. He was in favor of nominated immigrants, and if they were not nominate .1, they ought to pay at least one-third of their passage money before starting, He next referred to the Licensing and Forests Bills; he was in favor of the latter, because, unless something of the kind was done, the country would in time be without timber. The representation as at present, was very unfair, and Dunedin should petition for two extra members He then ex Gained why he was not present at the division on the abolition question. Several members having to speak it was thought that the debate would not conclude for some time, but a division was brought on immediately after the dinner hour, and in his (Wales) absence. He afterwards took the opportunity of telling the House how he should have vo’ed, If the whole of the provinces were abolished, the saving would be proportionally greater. They had paid 100 dear for their land to part with it easily, and he should oppose any proposal to take it from them. [Applause.) He was in favor of stopping the influx of free immigrants. At the conclusion of his speech he received a vote of thanks for his address. The meeting was very poorly attended. Mr Wales spoke over two hours but was quietlyreceived.

Port Chalmers, October 22. The French warship Yire arrived this morning from Campbell Island, having left the observation party there ; she leaves in a day or two for Wellington, and returns via Lyttelton and Akaroa. The s.s. Albion, with Suez mail, sails this afternoon. (FROM OUR DUNEDIN CORRESPONDENT.) Dunedin, Oct 22. Captain Macfarlane goes home to superintend the building of another steamer for tlv Harbor Company. Captain Malcolm then takes command of the Bruce. Mr Jones, chief officer of the latter, succeeding him in the Maori. The American wool buyers, now in Melbourne, will visit this market. The Ball;/ Times , referring to Sir G. Grey’s petition, says:—“This sudden burst upon the arena of New Zealand politics, to which Sir G. Grey’s faltering affection for his bantling constitution has incited him, seems from the beginning to the end, an ill-considered proceeding, and about the last one that his career as Governor would have led us to expect.” Very little interest was taken in Mr Wales’s meeting. He astonished his hearers by declaring that he was prepared to support the abolition of the provinces altogether.