The Star. THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1879.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3420, 27 March 1879, Page 2

The Star. THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1879.

Who was the " distinguished member of the General Assembly" that recently waited npon his Worship the Mayor and led him to believe that a large majority of the members of the House would be favourable to holding the next session of Parliament in Ohrietehureb ? At the last meeting of the Oity Council the Mayor delivered a long speech, urging the importance of agitating the Government to carry out the resolution of the House of Representatives thafc next session of Parliament be held in this city, but obviously the whole value of his statement depended upon the answer to our qnery — who prompted him to begin ? Who was tbe " distinguished" member ? The Mayor evidently did nofc feel himself at liberty to state distinctly who the distinguished member was; nevertheless he considered himself in a position to assure the Oounoil he was satisfied that if stepß were taken to agitate tbe question there were good grounds for believing their efforts would be successful. We will not stay to examine the claims of any Canterbury members, who were in a position to wait npon the Mayor at the time he has indicated, to be considered "distinguished," and probably our speculations would nofc be entirely agreeable ; but, during tbe past week, Ohristchurch was visited by a member of tbe House, to whom, as a Minister of the Orown, the term "distinguished" might, without impropriety, be applied. If we are right in our oonjeofcure, that ifc is to the inspiration of this gentleman that tbe

course taken by tbe Mayor is du<\ then the proposition to agitate for the holding of the next session of the Legislature in Ohristchurch becomes a subject which might well engage earnest attention. The proposition to hold the next session of Parliament in Ohristchurch was brought forward by Mr Shrimski upon a motion for the House going into Committee of Supply when the business of the session was nearly over. The mover wittily contented himself with a couple of short sentences, the House divided, and the motion of the member for Waitaki was carried by a majority of one. Whether fche Government will hold a chance majority of one vote, obtained under such circumstances sufficient to justify fchem in taking a step which practically would change the seat of Government in the Oolony, is the first issue with which we are confronted. It mußt be confessed thafc the public of this city and the Press, by tbeir silence, have tacitly admitted that the Government would not be blamable if they altogether ignored such a decision. Nevertheless, the decision of the House is an authorisation to the Government amply sufficient to justify their action if fchey think proper to hold the next session in Ohristchurch. If, by counting noses, the Opposition found they were strong enough to turn oub the Ministry,] it would be quite open to them toj select as a fair ground for a party fight! the 'fact thafc fche resolution of the! House as to where next sitting should be held had been ignored. By parity of reasoning, therefore, ifc is quite open to the Government to obey the resolution of the House.

Ifc is worthy of notice thafc in tbe division on the question " that the next session of Parliament be held at Chriatchurch," the name of the Premier, who addressed the House a few minutes previously, does not appear. Sir George Grey musfc have retired from the House immediately the division was about to take place. Of the members of the Government, Mr Macandrew waß not present, whilst Messrs Stout, Sheehan, Ballance, and Fisher voted against the motion. Messrs Richardson and Stevens as representing the City might reasonably be expected to have some interest in such a question ; both were absent. Mr Moorhouse, however, was present, and voted straight against the proposal. So also did Mr Rolleston, but he is not in any way bound to forward the interests of Ohristchurch. The vote was an open one, members of the mosfc opposite politics being found together ; there can be no doubt, however, that several members who were in-, different on the subject followed the four members of the Government into fche lobby. From this we gather the conclusion that if Government decide to regard the resolution adopted as a sufficient warrant for the holding of the next session of Parliament in Christchurch they would be supported, as the Mayor's "distinguished" visitor indicated by a large majority of the members of the House. Now the importance to the people of Christchurch of the issue involved in this question is very easily measured. For many years Parliament meb in Auckland, and whilst it did so the prosperity of thafc city rested upon a comparatively assured foundation. Since the removal of the seat of Government, Wellington haß advanced by leaps and bounds, whilst Auckland has fallen into decadence. The meetings of Parliament being held in Christchurch represents to every owner of property in this city and fche neighbouring districts a very substantial gain; a gain so manifest fchat ifc is nob necessary to particularise it. If we take the capital cities of the world, it will be found that a central position has not weighed in the selection ; although no doubt the selection was made in very dark days. In modern times the choice of the seat of Government, in two notable instances, was not governed by considerations of trade, commerce, or population. In Canada, Montreal and Toronto were both rejected in favour of Ottawa ; and in the United States Washington, and not New York, is the capital city. In these days of cheap, rapid, and comfortable travelling considerations of diatance or of position matter little. If a member of Parliament has to leave Ohristchurch to go by steamer to the seat of Government, ifc matters little to him, so far as the inconvenience is concerned, whether he goes to Wellingtoa or Dunedin. Whafc does matter to him, however, is the comfort and convenience he experiences when he gets to his destination, where, under ordinary circumstances, he has to remain for three or four months, and the facilities afforded him when there fov the transaction of publio business.

Taking fchia low basis as the sole ground of argument, we think it will nevertheless be found that there are substantial reasons for the holding of the sessions of Parliament in this City. Mr Shrimski, in moving his motion, stated tbat " the buildings in which they at present met were anything but convenient." Now, in Christchurch there is a substantial and really beautiful hall ; commodiously and conveniently designed with reference to use as a Parliament Chamber. No doubt when the vote was taken, this consideration had a strong influence upon the House. So defective are the buildings in Wellington that Mr Sheimski's Becond sentence was an assertion that " the health of members was not likely to be improved by coming to them." In addition to buildings and other conveniences it must be said that, compared with windy, stormy Wellington, Chriatchurch is a perfect haven of peace. A city picturesque and pleasant in its surroundings — where the ah* is warm and the climate mild — a city thafc is neither a smoky manufacturing centre nor a dirty, noisy seaport, must be held pre-eminenly suitable for the assembling of tbe representatives of the people, and as the scene of deliberation upon tbe greafc issues affecting the destiny of the Colony in tbe future. In climate, in healtbfulness, in situation and scenery Christchuroh must be held to carry off the palm from all fche cities of New Zealand. On these grounds we may fairly claim consideration, arid ask that the resolution of the House on the subject should be carried into effect. The Council, however, will have to take muoh more vigorous action than they Been* to contemplate. The Municipal and; County Councils of the Middle ' Island generally have very little to gain by the proposed change that they should go out of their way to help Ohristchurch in such a matter. We suggest to the Mayor that the proper oourse is to sub-;

mit the question to the citizens in public meeting, and backed with resolutions from fche people, waifc aaa deputation upon the Government in Wellington to urge the matter to a conclusion. If the Government are disposed to make the change, their hands must be strengthened by a display of public feeling put of doors, and with thafc view; a vigorous and energetic local agitation shonld at once be instituted.