The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1875.

Dunstan Times, Issue 698, 3 September 1875, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1875.

Beneath the rule of men entirely just the PEN is MIGHTIER than the. sword.

The unexpected large majority by which the second reading of the Abolition Bill was carried in the House of Representatives on Friday night last, leaves little to doubt but that its finally passing into law will be equally as triumphant. There are no persons possessing ordinary powers of discernment who can feel otherwise than rejoiced at this result, not so much perhaps at the seemingly hasty manner in which the doom of Provincialism has heen cast, but that, an absurdity, which has for so long a time been sapping the very vitals of the Colony and country districts of Otago in particular, must shortly become to be remembered as only a thing of the past. Viewing the matter at first sight, it does appear that the measure has been unduly forced forward by the Colonial Executive ; still, a close and careful observation reveals the fact that, constituencies have not been so taken by surprise as the admirers ol Provincialism would have them heMeve, It is twelve, months sii ce Sir Julius Vogel propounded his Abolition resolutions, and from that time to the present there have been ample opportunities for people to understand them. We will of course allow that the astute Premier only made pretence that the resolutions should merely applv to the North Island, having no reference whatever to the South unless if. was so de.-ired by the people interested themselves, still,

there could exist no possible doubt but that, to make the measure thoroughly successful, the South Island provinces would have to bo equally included, and Sir Julius Vogel must have thoroughly understood this fact, or he would nor have preferred to have administered his unpalatable doso cum grnno mils. Had tljo then Prouder, while propounding his Abolition icsplutions only have hinted that it was desirable they should take effect simultaneously in both Islands, the an nouheement would have been received with a perfect storm ofdisapprobation, sufficient possibly to destroy all confidence in his Government, but happily anything in the shape of a rupture was avoided. The Southern : Proviuc'alists resting in the fancied security that their little kettle of fish would not be overturned for a while at least, concluded that Abolition was exactly the thing the North Island wanted, and essayed to let Sir Julius Vogel and his resolutions take their course so long ns they suffered no barm thereby. The iudigna'iou of Otago Provincialists is in reality notso much expressed at the suddenness of the Abolition movement, for there is nothing really very sudden about it, as everyone knew that the matter would this present Session be dealt with by the Parliament of the country. What has so alarmed the admirers of pettyfogging Provincial Governments is the turn things have taken by the South Island being so unexpectedly included in the operations of the Bill, and all their calculations for profit and pay thus summarily npset. The fiat has now eone forth that the abolition of Provincialism, with all its concomitant evils will speedily become an accomplished fact, and seeing the large majority which voted for the second reading of the Bill, we can draw from it an additional sense of pleasure and satisfaction, inasmuch that we unexpectedly find so large a proportion of the members of the House of Representatives possess a soul above narrow minded selfishness, and which must have been the case with a considerable number who, while supporting the Bill, did so in o] po itiou to their own private interests. We can only say all honor to such men who can cast personal considerations Upon one side, looking beyond the narrow limits of their own electoral districts atid provinces wisely conclude that they were not sent to Parliament especially to legislate for small conventionalties, but, for the whole of New Zealand. One of the most baneful effects of Provincialism is without doubt its pernio’ous system of excessive localisation—eadi of the nine Provinces of New Zealand are almost in the position as regards one another of nine different foreign States, living upon the reverse of amicable relations with each other, while instead of Colonists being educated to exert themselves jointly to form one great and prosperous whole, they have been actually taught to direct their energies to a species of mutual extermination, which pettiness was even extending itself to the country districts, and still further dividing the people. For our piosperity we have to thank the immense natural resources ofthecouatry, and not as Superintendents would make ns believe, the blessings and fostering care of Provincial Governments, and we quiteendorseanopinion uttered during the late debate, “ that New Zealand bad prospered almost in spite of itself-” There is littlereason for doubt but that so far as Otagoand Canterbury are concerned; they are entitled to some special considerations, inasmuch as having conserved their land revenues, while other Provinces were prodigal, it would not be fair to place all upon a footing of equality in regard to the land fund This appears to be about the only difficulty requiring to be arranged, and we realty see no reason that the Colonial Government should refuse to perform this one act of justice, by declining to meet the claims of these two Provinces in an equitable manner, consistent with a spirit of fairness to the country at large. Having this much arranged instead of nine opposing factions repeatedly warring with each other, we should have in exchange—viewin'* the matter from a broad and liberal platform—,the success of one portion of the Colony of New Zealand contributing to the success of the other. When we sought as Colonists to make our homes in thir “ Britain of the South,” we did not contemplate encircling ourselves within circumscribed imaginary boundaries, or being isolated by becoming divided into nine jealous and narrow-minded little communities. Had such have been the case many of ns never would have come to New Zealand at all, knowing full well that no country having its interests and people so divided, con'd possibly hope to secure any permanent degree of greatness in the end, and it will not bear the force of argument to advance any other proposition but that some proportion of the excess of prosperity in one part of the Colony must bo permitted to extend its beneficial effects, and ramify throughout the others. We cannot possibly all be engaged following the most poofitable of occupations, or bo located in one particular corner, and however reluctant it may be to an. knowledge it, the well-being of any particular portion of a community having the one object in view, and possessing the same desires, must be made to contribute towards the wellbeing of the oilier. Obeying the promptings of nature, it dictates that

individuals may look out for themselves, then follows the next highest and holiest duty, that to our neighbors and our country, and which includes both the people and the Colony of New Zealand. TJio Provinces being abolished, we shall be brought more in contact with North Island politics, and. with the Parliament of , ty T ew; ijealgnd, from which, the corrupt 10. calisitig influences of Proviucialislri has so mysteriously' estranged us that, the doings of the General Assembly in Wellington are almost equally as foreign to many of us as the proceedings of the House of Commons in London, while our Halls of Legisbiture are apparently almost as “difficult" of approach. In a very few months’ time we shall be again called upon to select from amongst ourselves representatives for another Colonial Parliament, let us therefore—having no more Provincial affairs to divert it—turn our attention towards the study of New Zealand politics, and become better acquainted with the affairs of Ihe country of our adoption. Having found out what we mostly require to make us prosperous arid’Mppy, lot us choose such men to represent us. as understand our positions, and who will be most likely to givC effect to onr desires, at the same time bearing in mind that it is the people of New Zealand who'jmust form the Legislature, and not the Legislature the people.