THE CONVENTION AND THE GOVERNOR.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4884, 16 November 1876, Page 6

THE CONVENTION AND THE GOVERNOR.

From the report of the Evening Star we take the following account of the discussion at the recent Otago Convention, re the action of petitioning for the Governor’s recall: — Mr. De Lautotjk, in moving the motion standing in his name, said he did not think it was overstepping the bounds to which they, might legitimately go. For, if anyone representing the Crown in any colony should in the course of political contest misrepresent them, they had a right, as colonists, to petition that he should .be removed to some other place. He did not go the length of saying that the representative of the Crown in this colony had overstepped the line to which a representative of the Crown should go, as laid down for his guidance in the colony. The majority of the Convention would agree with him in saying that there were grave doubts if his Excellency had not gone beyond that line in the despatches which he forwarded to the Home Government; and also, if on inquiry it should be found that he had done so, and that he no longer possessed the confidence of the colonists of New Zealand, then that he should be sent elsewhere. He preferred to let the matter rest, simply on the ground that they had sufficient reason for asking the Imperial authorities to inquire into the case, so that whether they were right or wrong they might not be led into a course which would be unconstitutional and indefensible.

Mr. Lumsden deprecated commencing the business with such a discussion. The Convention should avoid coming into conflict with the Queen's representative ; and he strongly urged the withdrawal of the motion. The matter had been referred to in such a manner in the Assembly, that he felt sure it would lead to the Governor's recall. Mr. Reid said the Convention should not descend to personalities. How could the members of the Convention be in a position to endorse such charges of their own knowledge? Dragging in his Excellency’s name after the manner of the resolution would have the effect of weakening their deliberations, especially if the first act was to pass such a motion as was before them. It was a pity that they had not resolutions emanating from the persons responsible for this meeting brought before them. It was a pity such a resolution should have been brought forward, and it would be a great pity if it were to be carried. If the matter, therefore, came to a division, he would vote against the motion. Mr. Stout thought that in any constitutional struggle no one should bo afraid to express his opinions. If the Convention believed that the Governor had taken a one-sided view of a political question they would be guilty of namby-pambyism if they were afraid to open their mouths and to say that he had done so. (Applause.) They were not descending to personalities by discussing such a motion ns that which they had now before them. If they were not to have the privilege of speaking their minds under such circumstances there was an end to the liberty of debate, and they would cease to be citizens of the colony at all. (Applause.) From the letters which had been read he believed that there were not more than twelve or fifteen persona who had absolutely refused to attend the Convention. It was of no use preparing resolutions to submit to the Convention. Who was to take the responsibility ? Mr. Reid: Whoever called It.

Mr. Stout : It was called by the Superintendent, and bo expected that his Provincial Secretary would aid him. (Applause.)

Mr. Reid ; I was never asked,

Mr. Stout replied that Mr. Reid got notice the same as everyone else. Why did he not come'down with resolutions, framed in' the manner in which he wished to pass them'? They should show that Otago was not afraid to criticise the highest person in,the land if they believed that he had done wrong. If they believed that the Governor had done wrong, he hoped they would vote ’ according to their convictions. ,

Mr. Gillies would like the mover to reduce his motion somewhat, so that it ’might state that partisanship was shown in some of/the despatches which had been sent Home by his Excellency, ■ They should leave out that portion of the resolution which referred to the Governor misrepresenting the majority of the people of New Zealand. . If Mr. De Lautour

would be prepared to alter tho resolution to the extent he had suggested, _ he would be -willing to support if" Even in its present form he would not oppose if. Everyone who had any patriotism at all should express clearly and distinctly their sympathy with one who, in ms judgment, had acted in a straightforward and patriotic manner. (Applause.) Professor Maoobbqor could not conceive how any man with the heart of a man could he in doubt for a moment as to how he should act: on this occasion. Sir George Grey had been excessively and consiatently_misrepresentod in very many quarters. -He had no personal interest to serve, and had no possible object whatever in coming forward as ho had ; yet he was treated in a most shameful fashion —(Loud applause.) He would be ashamed of himself if he did not express his opinion of such conduct, no matter who was guilty of if The Governor, in so acting, had misrepresented her Majesty. He was rather surprised that a man like Mr. Reid, whom they all respected, should seem to be in doubt as to whether they should deal with this subject. Mr. Hislop agreed with Mr. Reid, that the resolution as at present worded was not true, as far as they had the facts placed before them. There had been no attempt made to prove that the despatch in question misrepresented the majority of her Majesty's loyal subjects in the colony. For that reason he would not think of supporting the resolution as it now stood. The Convention should be very careful to be thoroughly accurate in anything that they did ; and, if the first resolution that they carried affirmed a statement which was not clearly established, he thought their influence would be very much lessened. Such a resolution should not have been brought forward. Mr. Wales did not see anything in the Governor's despatch which misrepresented the feelings and wishes of the majority of her Majesty’s loyal subjects. The feelings of a large majority of the people of Otago were possibly . misrepresented ; but this resolution dealt with the whole colony, with which they had nothing to do. He strongly urged the withdrawal of the resolution. He would; not like to characterise the letters which were written by Sir George Grey with reference to the.action of the Governor. Professor Macgregor had spoken about Sir George Grey being a man of independence, but anyone might be a man of independent views, and yet in a queer state of mind. (Hisses.) He would not be deterred by any number of geese from expressing his opinion. The Chairman hoped Mr. Wales would withdraw such an expression as he had just used.

Mr. Walks was quite: willing, to withdraw the ; expression if it was disliked by those people who were imitating geese. It was most outrageous for members to imitate such animals. His observation had been taken up too hurriedly. He believed that Sir G. Grey’s enthusiasm had carried him beyond himself, and he had used expressions which he would not use if he had been writing in retirement. 1 He would vote against this resolution; however it might be amended.