BALCLUTHA.

Otago Witness, Issue 181, 6 August 1886, Page 17

BALCLUTHA.

August 3. — The usual weekly meeting of the Ciutha Parliamentary Union was held on Wednesday, 29fck July, when there was a good attendance of members. The Speaker (Mr Wm. Dallas) being absent, the chair was taken by Mr R. Grigor. Mr Geo. Bain moved—" That in the opinion of this House the respective duties of the Public Works and Permanent Way Departments be readjusted." It seemed that the two departments did not work together as they should. They always seemed to bein antagonism to each other. As soon as anew piece of railway or road was finished it was handed over to the Permanent Way Department., who at once proceeded to do over again tho work done by the Public Works Department. An iustance of the reckless waste of money that occurred was the Catlins river line. As soon as this was handed over tho Permanent Way department proceeded to undo the work of the rival department and lifted the rails, replacing them by stcoud-olass rails. The motion having been seconded, a discussion, ensued, and on bbing put ifc was declared lost ou the voices. — Mr T. Mackenzie (Wellington) moved — " That it is expedient that action should be taken in conjunction with tho other colonies of the Empire to obtain just and equitable representation of the colonies in the couucil of the Empire relating to its foreign policy." The mover said he might be charged with being visionary, and the House would pro bably be told that the scheme was impracticable, but he hoped to show them that the timo had now arrived when the colonies should demand as a right that they should bo represented in an Imperial council. If the Empire ever becomes oansolidated it must be by means of Federation. There were many questions that were of vital importance to the welfare of the colonies, and through federation these could _ be discussed, and the opinions of the colonies be heard. The questions of foreign policy, tariff, and duties would bo adjusted. War could not be declared without the consent of a majority of the various legislatures. We have a right to demand a voice on the question of peace or war. England by engaging in a rash war might endanger the safety of the»e colonies. Our commercial importance also demanded it. England taken alone is behind France, Germany, and Russia in revenue, but combined with her colonies she leads the world. Her dependencies now exceed her in revenue, expenditure from revenue, exports, population, and area. It is, therefore, bub just that they should be represented. By federation the empire will bound more firmly together, and the welfare of each individual colony will be advanced. (Applause.)— The Minister of Education (Rev Mr Dodd) seconded the motion. He felt a good deal in sympathy with the mover, but would have been batter pleased had he detailed more fully his scheme. He believed in a federation, and should give his hearty support to the motion. — The Premier (Mr F. Calvert) would oppose the motion. It had been laid before the House in a very crude form, and the mover had not even given the House a sketch of the nature of the proposed council. He thought that before hon. members were asked to pass a motion like the one before tnem.involviug a great constitutional change, they should at least have laid before them something more definite than they had. He was in favour of an Australasian confederacy, and thought the interests and sympathies of the colonies were more in unison than with the Mother country. The freedom and progress of the colonies would be hampered by such a federation as proposed. — The Rev. J. Smith (Mataura) strongly supported the motion. He disagreed entirely with the last speaker, and was sorry to hear such sentiments expressed in the Uuion. He gloried in the name of Briton, and felt assured that there was no lack of loyalty on the part of colonists.— (Applause.) Should our mother country, for whom we felt a deep affection, require our service?, we colonials would not be found in the background. He would vote for the motion, as he thought ifc would tend to unite and strengthen our glorious empire. — (Applause.) — Mr A. Grigor (Lyttelton) and the Rev. S. Currie (Thames) supported the motion. The latter speaker was of opinion that a scheme such as that proposed by the hon. member for Wellington would prove tho solution of the difficulty which had arisen at Home to as self-government for Ireland. Mr T. A. Johnstone (Frauklyn North) also supported the motion. — The mover having replied, the motion was put and carried almost unanimously. — The debate on Wednesday last was to be on Mr Gladstone's Home Rule proposals,