PROVINCIALISM.

Evening Star, Issue 3779, 5 April 1875, Page 3

PROVINCIALISM.

To the Editor.

SlB, —I Lave read with interest the recent letters from Mr M'Glashan, M.H.R., in your paper on the abolition of the Provinces, and I think the people of Otago will belie their true character if they should be led away by such arguments as his for the abolition of the Provincial system amongst us. His statements about a North Island land fund in the future are altogether visionary and fallacious, whilst our own land fund is a substantial reality, capable of being conserved for present and future generations, if wa prove true to the trust now reposed in us. Our duty is to look after ourselves, and not trouble about the bankrupt Provinces of the North (which have already drawn sufficiently from us), without entertaining the idea of entering into a complete partnership with them. Our policy here in Otago is to nave the Pro vinoe proclaimed, an independent Colony, to conserve our public estate by leasing instead of selling, and to open our ports to the commerce of the world free of all toll. This plan would not only save the Province from being enSilphed in ruin and stagnation with the rest of ew Zealand, but would make it one of the first Colonies in the Empire, and the City of Dunedin second only to Melbourne or Sydney. —I am, &0., ■■ , Colonist. Dunedin, April 4.