DUNEDIN.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2151, 25 November 1875, Page 2

DUNEDIN.

Wednesday. The banquet to Mr Keid, which v?as held last evening in the Drill Shed at Mosgiel, was attended by 150 persons from all parts,of the district, while there were a good many visitors from Dunedin. The chair was occupied by Mr Jas. Allan. M.P.C., who was supported on his right by the guest of the evening, and Sir J. Bichardson, Mr Jas. Green, and Mr Stout; and on his left the Superintendent, Mr A. Todd, sen., Mr Turnbull and Mr Davie. After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts, Mr Keid, in response to that of his; health said he had always taken a pride in representing an important district like that of Taieri. He next addressed himself at considera* ble length to a review and criticism of the arguments advanced by the press and supporters of the Abolition Bill, and argued in effect that Otago had nothing to gain and everything to lose from the measure. The Opppsitiori had been blamed because they did not propose a scheme. It wasrthe duty of the Government, when they undertook to entirely sweep away the present system, to bring forward a matured scheme to ! supersede that system. They had not done so, for the Local Government Bill of last session proposed to establish a far less liberal system than that existing already. The Superintendent, partly as member for Port Chalmers, and partly as representing the province, proposed a Board of Works for Otago. There was as much difference between that scheme and the scheme of the General Government as there was between day and night. Were those who wrote up the Government scheme prepared to support that scheme ? A great deal of nonsense was being talked as to what was to supersede the present system. He,did not mean to say it was so perfect as they'might have it. Some of the provinces—-Taranaki, I for instance—might be abolised . with great advantage to all concerned. There was much. in. the idea of the Superintendent (o! having a Federal Government for the two islands. That would confine itself simply to collecting revenues sufficient to defray the expense of the Federal Government itself, and for getting the claims of the public creditors. There was nothing to prevent such a scheme of Government, nor would" it be objectionable to the outside creditor. It then should be left to each island to undertake, through its Provincial Council, those matters which essentially were of a character that was not federal, such as roads, railways, the administration of waste lands, and all.other matters that were not purely federal. The question of the number of provinces he was going to touch upon. He thought it very likely that for a time at least two in each island would be better, if the Taieri district could be content without being made a province. The wishes of such provinces as Taranaki could be, without injury acceded to. They could be, abolished as provincial entities, and •be attached to the larger provinces. One word before he sat down. It behoved the electors to consider very seriously what action they intended to take with regard to , the Abolition. Bill. By them it would be determined whether our institutions were to be sue'v as were fitting for a free,' intelligent, self-reliant, active, and vigorous people, or whether they were to be such-as would make the people callous,and indifferent to their political privileges, and by becoming these toreact injuriously upon" our race. . Sir J. L\C. Eicbardson, in re'pliying to " Our Institutions—Social and Political," declared himself a progressive Coustitutionalist and a Separationist. Separation could easily be effected. What was wanted was the men who would go in for it." (Cheers.) " New Zealand—Past and Present," -" New Zealand's Future Prospects," " Our Visitors," and other minor toasts followed, and the company left by special for town at 11.40.