The Evening Star TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 1872.

Evening Star, Issue 2965, 20 August 1872, Page 2

The Evening Star TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 1872.

Mu Reynolds’s motion for a separation of tiie Colony into two great Provinces, is worthy of more attention than it has yet received from the Press. We do not know that anything new can he said on the subject, though, like all other matters of great interest, the old arguments require to be repeated in different forms, with such additional illustrations as circumstances supply, in order that the conviction may spread that such a separation is desirable. Mr Reynolds, as a reason for the separation, lays down the proposition that there is nothing in common between the two islands, and that experience has demonstrated that laws that suit the circumstances of the North Island do not apply to those of the South. We think the honorable member pushed his argument too far when he included in the list of unsuitable subjects for common legislation that of education. Very possibly some modification or special adaptation of principle is necessary to suit the social condition of different districts; and herein is the secret of the matter—the true reason why separate Legislatures are advisable : the General Assembly has never recognised the difference of circumstances. It has assumed that the South Island was interested equally with the North in the Native question, and has never considered it necessary that those settlers who reap the benefit should equitably pay the cost of being maintained in possession of their lands. It is because a cast iron rule lias been applied to both islands, formed upon a model applicable only to one, that separation is desirable. But there is yet another aspect of the case, leading to the conclusion that such a form of constitution is advisable Provincial Governments are becoming annually of less importance to the development of our Colonial resources. Mr Reynolds referred in his speech to the growing dissatisfaction with the administration of the Public Works and Immigration Act, and expressed the conviction that the appointment of resident Ministers would not render separate legislatures unnecessary. He submitted the outline of a Billto.be prepared, should his motion be adopted, as follows: —

1. The existing Provincial boundaries and institutions to be abolished. 2. Two Provinces to be established in New Zealand, the dividing line being Cook Straits. The City of Wellington shall be deemed to be the capital city of the Colony, and shall be the scat of the Colonial Government thereof, and shall be governed solely by its own municipal authorities and the Colonial laws, and shall not be affected by Provincial legislation. 3. The General Assembly of the Colony to consist of a Legislative Council of members and a House of Representatives of members, and to hold triennial sittings. 4. The Legislative Council to consist of an equal number of members from each Province. The Governor to nominate four times the number required to be elected, and from these so many as are required shall bo elected by the whole electors of each Province, and shall hold office for the duration of five years. 5. At the end of five years one-half shxfll retire by ballot, but shall be eligible for renomination and re-election. 6. Each Province to be divided into electoral districts for the election of members of the House of Representatives and Provincial Councils, and the proportion of members from each Province for the House of Representatives shall, as near as may be, be in proportion to the population, whether European or Native, of sueb Province. 7. The Colonial Executive to consist of three members —Colonial Secretary, Treasurer, and Commissioner of Cuatoma. 8. The legislation of the Government and administration of the Colonial Government to be confined to the -Judicial, Postal, and Customs departments, and all matters con.

nected with the liabilities of the Colony, an 1 * such other subjects as shall, from time to time, be declared by a majority of each Provincial Council to be subjects of Colonial rather than Provincial concern. 9. All the revenue from whatever source collected within the two Provinces shall be payable to the Colonial Treasurer, who shall thereout satisfy—(l.) The annual charges payable to the public creditor in respeet of all existing general or Provincial loans; and (2.) All Colonial expenditure authorized by the General Assembly under section 8.

10. A separate account of all revenue derived from ea b Province shall be kept, against which respectively shall be debited (1.) The annual charge for consolidated and General Government interest and sinking funds in proportion to the population, whether Europ-an or Native, of each Province. (2.) The annual charge for interest and sinking fund due by the aggregate of each Pi ovince, (3.) Tim Colonial expenditure applicable directly to each Province, and where not directly applicable, in the proportion before mentioned. (4.) Balances in favor to be paid to each Province. 11. In consideration uf„the Northern Province undertaking the sole liability for the preservation of peace and Native affairs, there shall be paid annually by the Southern to the Northern Province the sum of £ f„r years, and therafter of £ for

years. 12. 'I he inti, rest and sinking fund on all moneys raised or to be raised under the Public Works and Immigration and Railways Acts of 1870 and 1871, shall be a charge against the Provinces in proportion to the moneys so raised for expenditure in each Province. 13. Each Provincial Government shall consist of a Superintendent appointed by the Crown, holding office for years, but shall be removable upon resolution of threefifths of the members of the Provincial Council, and a Provincial Council of one member to every of population (Natives included, counting three Natives as one of population); such Provincial Council to consist of members, and to be elected «s provided for in the election of members of the House of Representatives. 14. The seat of the Provincial Government for the Northern Province shall be and for the Southern Province, Akaroa. 15. Supeiii itendent and Provincial Council to have unlimited powers of legislation and administration on all subjects excepting those reserved by clause 8 to the General Assembly,