Wanganui Chronicle. AND PATEA-RANGITIKEI ADVERTISER. "NULLA DIES SINE LINEA." THURSDAY, JULY 21, 1881.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXIII, Issue 9456, 21 July 1881, Page 2

Wanganui Chronicle. AND PATEA-RANGITIKEI ADVERTISER. " NULLA DIES SINE LINEA." THURSDAY, JULY 21, 1881.

TViiex the time came for Mr Slieehan to introduce his Bill for the repeal of tho Abolition of Provinces Act, that exceedingly clever politician and apt disciple of Sir George Grey declined the situation — or, to use a vulgar but expressive term, "jibbed on It." He stated that he had heard all sorts of rumours in tho lobbies with reference to the intention of the Government with regard to his Bill, and he asked the Premier to state plainly what the Government proposed doing if the Bill were introduced. There was no delay or hesitation in giving him a fitting answer. The Government, said Mr Hall, would view the introduction of the Bill as equivalent to a motion of want of confidence. Although several honourable members objected to this straightforward and sturdy avowal, and held that the Government should not treat Provincialism as a party question, we are quite at a loss to understand how Mr Hall could have adopted any other course than he did. The Government, of which he is the head, had come before the House with a very complete set of proposals. Only a night or two before the Colonial Treasurer had explained at great length and with remarkable clearness the views of the Ministry with reference to local government. The repeal of the Abolition of Provinces Act w r ould assuredly mean, amongst other things, the rejection of a most important part of the Government policy — the rejection of their measures on one of the burning questions of the day. However, on Mr Hall announcing the attitude of the Government towards the Bill for repealing the Abolition of Provinces Act, Mr Sheehan declined to introduce it. But it soon became evident that the opponents of tho Government did not intend to allow the matter to drop so easily. Though there was an end for the time of Mr Sheehan's promised Bill, there were a number of other members who had proposals to make with regard to local government quite as antagonistic to the Government scheme as the reintroduction of Provincialism. In the resumed debate on the second reading of the Crown and Native Lauds Eating Bill, the Opposition did their best to make their weight felt, and at length, during the sitting on Tuesday night, Mr Orinond threw off the mask which he had hitherto worn, and moved as an amendment on the Government Bill that the whole of the Government proposals in respect of local government and finance were unsatisfactory. This was, of course, equivalent to a direct motion of "want of confidence, and was accepted as such. " The debate continued for the rest of the sitting, was resumed last night, and was still going on when our latest telegram was received. It may be admitted at once that the issue is doubtful, for there are several members who usually support the Government but on this occasion are inclined to break away because they are either opposed to the local government proposals of Major Atkinson or think that they do not go far enough. Mr Wakefield's speech' was a most telling one, although in one particular we disagree %v^jfc. him. ITo said? he should advise the Government to resign if Mr Orwondfg amendment was carried, i

and thus allow their adversaries t° make an attempt to govern the country. But Mr Wakefield knew well, and indeed admitted, that if the Grovernment were defeated on this question, and were to ask for a dissolution, it would be granted, and that they might appeal with confidence to the constituencies — the issue really being between Provincialism and an improvement of the present system. In case of defeat it would be better to waste no time in allowing Mr Ormond to make an abortive attempt to conduct the affairs of the country, but that the constituencies should be appealed to at once. We may, however, be premature in our remarks, and the good sense of the majority may induce them to see the Government safe through the present difficulty, leaving the whole question of local government to be fought out at the hustings.