MOTUEKA.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume IX, Issue 459, 21 December 1850, Page 170

MOTUEKA.

This meeting took place on Tuesday evening, the large room of the Hotel, and was attended by the great majority of the inhabitants, as well as by many of those from the neighbouring district of Riwaka. Mr. Knivett was called to the chair.

Mr. Saxton stated the object of the Constitutional Association .in calling the meeting. The propositions to be discussed were not intended "to be thrust upon the settlement against its will, but had been drawn up with the sole view of eliciting the opinions of the people on subjects which were of most vital importance to their future welfare and the well being of the colony. It had been by some supposed that the Association arrogated to itself a right to speak on behalf of the settlement; but nothing of the kind was intended. It had been felt that a great exigence had arisen, which required to be met by prompt deliberation ; and no measures having been taken by other parties, the persons who formed the Association had come forward to supply the want which they saw existing. Mr. Jennings wished to learn the object of Sir George Grey's Bill. J. D. Greenwood, Esq., J.P., thought the consideration of Sir George Grey's Bill and the buisnesß for which the meeting has been called, distinct subjects. Was glad to find, by the sa« ' tisfactory explanation given, that the Constitutional Association did not intend to dictate to the settlement. The Ist proposition was then read, and after some discussion, carried unanimously.

Proposition 2, read, and passed unanimously. Proposition 3 read. Proposed by Mr. Askew, seconded by Mr. M'Nab, that members shall be elected annually. Mr. Jennings suported the original proposition.

The amendment put and lost; the original proposition carried. Proposition 4 {as amended), read, discussed, and carried unanimously. | m Proposition 5 read. Dr. Monro inquired why secret voting had been recommended.

Mr. Saxton showed the evils which too often attend open voting, and their demoralizing tendency. Though the means of intimidation used in England -might at present be wanting in New Zealand, there was no saying how soon

they would be found, \ Mr. Askew tore testimony to the corrupt practices ia use at elections in England, and the dependence of large bodies of voters on a few individuals. The ballot would prevent such a system ever growing up in New Zealand, which otherwise, sooner or later, would take place.

Dr. Monro said thtt, whatever weight the arguments for the ballot might have in England, they were powerless here, where no intimidation was likely to be exercised. The relations of society were here reversed ; and the class who were the intimidators at home would here be the intimidated, if such foul practices were resorted to. Personally, he was not afraid of this. The ballot might suit such natiom as the Italians and Spaniards, but was unworthy of Englishmen. It would lead to hypocrisy and .deceit. 1 Mr. Jennings opposed the ballot. Mr. Picard looked on the ballot as the only safeguard against undue, .influences, which would be as certainly exercised in New Zealand as in England, though perhaps not to the like extent. He disliked the eneer which had been made at the Italians and Spaniards, who, by their recent glorious, though unfortunate struggles for liberty, had evinced a tore of freedom as deep as could beibund in the breasts of Englishmen. • , Rev. T. L. Tudor->apported the ballot, which was calculated to prevent the evils arising from elections in England ever occurring here, though otherwise in time they would arise. Mr. Greenwood opposed the ballot. Saw no reason why men should not declare their poSticsl sentiment! openly, without causing bad feeling. The ballot had failed in the United Stats*, according to the testimony of every intelligent American. Mr. Elliott considered the hypocrisy attributed to the ballot was nothing compared to the hypocrisy caused by ope» voting, where

men were forced Co " violate their consciences and vote against their convictions.

Proposed by Mr. Greenwood, seconded by Mr. Jennings, " that the voting.be open." Amendment lost, and original proposition carried by a majority of one. Proposition 6 read, discussed, and carried unanimously. Proposition 7 read. Dr. Monro argued for Responsible Government.

Mr. Greenwood took the same view.

Mr. Stafford showed the difficulty the Governcount would find, in the present state of the colony, in selecting out of the small body of members men qualified to fill the higher appointments, who could devote the chief portion of their time and attention to official duties; and also, the improbability that the Governor would be able to procure seats for his officers if the men he wished to appoint had not already been elected. It was necessary for the chief officers, such as the Colonial Secretary and the Attorney- General, to possess seats in the Parliament of the colony, and to be in someway responsible to the people ; and this the proposition provided for, without entailing those constant changes which would tend to throw the real government of the colony into the bands of clerks.

Proposition put and carried. Proposition 8 read. Through some misapprehension, we believe, this proposition was Dot put to the vote.

Propositions 9 to 13 read and carried.

Nearly the whole body of persons constituting the meeting then advanced to the head of the room to thank the Deputation for their vibit, and for the manner in which the discussion had been conducted.

A vote of thanks was given to the Chairman, and the meeting separated.