THE PUBLIC MEETING ON TUESDAY.

North Otago Times, Volume VII, Issue 139, 21 September 1866, Page 3

THE PUBLIC MEETING ON TUESDAY.

(To iho Editor of the Oamaru Times.) Sir, — Tho meeting of Tuesday put3 me very much in mind of an anecdote. A black man m Iho Southern States, accosting another, said, " I say, Hcip., yestex--day, Musba aud I 'sputo one hour." " And what you 'sputo about ?" said Sambo. " Why, Massa say dat do five-aero field should he sown w lth rye, aud I say do same, and wo 'spnte upon him one hour." This was precisely tho ease at the meeting referred to. A great deal was said that w as entirely beyond tho question iu the speeches made ; for the meeting was not called to discuss general politics, or to determine the continuance of the Provincial system, but to concert measures for the general interests of the Province, as expressed in tho circular from the Mayor of Dunodin ; and tho motion aud amendment ought, therefore, to have been combined, and thus put to the meeting. It 13 to be regretted that tho matter was not better understood and inoro maturely considered. This district is tolerably well convinced that the Provincial system, as it has been worked hitherto, is not one to be supported, but it is nonsensical to maintain that, while it exists, it is to be deprived of its revenue and ciipplccl. If tho Provincial system is to be abolished, le it be so, as a whole, as soon as a better system of Government 13 devised ; but wliile it exists, tho Provinces must resist the General Government in any attempt to rob them of their legitimate revenues. But, if the proposed constitution of tho Otago Association is considered, it will be found that what is proposed, us stated in the Mayor's (of Dunedin) circular", is, "to form a Committee, lo secure attention to our Provincial interests," and, again, "for watching ovor and promoting tho prosperity of tho various interests of tho Province." The question raised by Mr CKbbs was tho genoral ■ question : — Ought the Provincial system to be maintained ? — for the discussion of which the time has not yet arrived. The queatiou for discussion on Tuesday was — Under present circumstances, and while the provincial sj stem subsists, ou<iht the Province of Otago combine and concert measures for tho general interests of tho province, and in opposition to General Government aggressions ? Tho ameudment, so callod, proposed by Mr Gibbs was not properly an amendment, because it was not opposed to tho motion ; and if the meerin? had not been s>o impatient, tho two might have been carried in combination, airl a Committee appointed. Mr Gibbs' motion was a noa sequitur to hib speech ; and it is pretty evident that he has failed to perceive that of late there has been a decided advance towards a system of local go\ eminent. 1 do not consider tho action of tho late meeting as negativing the proposal to appoint a Local Committee, but only as coming short of appointing it, and therefore it is iu the power of the Town Council to proceedjfurther in the matter if they think fit. Ihe resolution carried was vagua and indefinite, difilcult to understand, but Jiot calculated to do cither harm or good. Yours, &c., Non-Obstiutctor.