The impor tance of this subject will be felt through cm the Province of Outgo ; the decision which may be arrived at upon it, will also 1)e felt in Otago lor many years to come. The question which has been submitted to 'us is, whether immigration and colonisa tion are to come to a standstill for the. fcext twelve or fourteen years, or whether we are to proceed as we have hitherto done •in the settlement of this country, and in ♦enabling Settlers to occupy the land. Sir, M regret that it has not fallen to the lot of MKneJi&n. member more able to do the ■matter justice than myself-; but, seeing ■the position in which T am placed, I feel v fthat\T should not he fulfilling ray duty to 'the persons who sent me- here if I did not take the step I now do namely, that of Recording 5 my protest against the Irgisla Mon that has taken place in respect to the 'waste lands of this Province. First, the jparty to which I belong has been charged 'witfe a*HeSire, to set class against class — with a desire to raise a party feeling- in the To that statement, sir, I reply that if there is any charge of this descrip tion to be trough t.agaijnst anyone it ought ■to be made against those person^^wlio *were instrumental in bringing^fSrwani Hhis measure, the Otago Hundreds Kejru •lation Act, and in getting it passed into Haw. ! Can we, I ask, be expected to sujb-. <nnt to tfcMon dnthe^part of others which •goes the length of depriving tis of that; "which we ha/c hitherfo been to recognise «s our right; in fact, to' perj| mit 'legislation 'to take place which : jks rbelieve w^U be qffpefma^ient injury to fffili bor adoption, Without raising, our, voices against itv? In doing that can it %c justly *aid tb&t we are striving to set •class against class ?— (Hear, hear). J3jr. if that is to be the axiom, then wojifflLydt. -impossible for 'us to Taise our||o%es ; -against anyfhing : ; some : cl ass is ntpre or 'less affected by all legislation. Take, 'instdrice, the Distillation Act. Ifyheie *was Hay "ill-feeling raised against thaY, it be said that, the people 'opposed 'it, "therefore thfij were.stirrih^up. 