The Evening Star MONDAY, MAY 3, 1875.

Evening Star, Issue 3803, 3 May 1875, Page 2

The Evening Star MONDAY, MAY 3, 1875.

The speech of his Honor the Superintendent is more than usually lengthy. It deals with a variety of subjects. It appears the Province is now no longer under pupilage. Its majority has been reached, and seeing that it is now twenty-one years old, and has accomplished so much, his Honor very naturally objects to its extinction. There are various topics in the speech. We may summarise them as, first, a statement of the past and present financial of the Province, an account of the railways in course of construction, the fruitless efforts to obtain a loan from the Colonial Parliament, and latterly a defence of Provincialism, and a protest against the abolition of any of the Provinces, We have hitherto supported the abolition of the North Island Provinces, whilst we objected to the South Island ones being disturbed. His Honor reiterates the assertion so often made that the abolition of the North Island Provinces means the abolition of those in the South. We have contended, and contend now, that this is a non sequiter. It is a piece of prophecy, aud, like that commodity, is problematical. At present we do not intend to deal with this question ; but, as we have opposed the abolition of the Provinces in the South Island, it may be well to point out some of the arguments used in the speech. They seem to us unanswerable. It is clear that abolition in the North by no means means management of local or Otago affairs in Wellington— management also by men knowing nothing of, and perhaps caring less about, our requirements. One thing we must lose sit ht of, and that is the disposal of our waste lauds. When we think of what the' North Island people have done in disposing of their vast landed estate, we dread any interference on their part with settlement. To them settlement means bt disposal of large blocks of land at a nominal price, f-'ettlement was consequently retarded, and vast sheep runs are the clog of many Provinces. We have an extensive area of land fitted only for grazing purposes, but when the leases expire, if these acres are split up into small holdings the revenue will be three or four times as much as we obtain now, and the production of the wool will also be increased. he danger of intrusting the administration of our lauds to those outside the Province is great, aud in tins point we ar.e at one with the speech. The way also in which the revenues of the South have been wasted, is repeated in the speech, and this furnishes to his Honor [another argument against abolition. Two Bills only

dealing with any special principle are spoken of: one the Education Ordinance, and the other one dealing with the formation ol branch Imes'by private companies. We have already stated our approval of the proposed Permissive Education Bill, and we do not see how it can be opposed. It is nonsense to argue, as we notice the member for Kaitangata argues, that the rate should be general. He might as well say that all school buildings should be of one size and plan, and all teachers of one grade and pay. Districts differ, and their requirements differ. Some 'districts pay sixpence a-year for road rates, some a shilling, some again only feurpence. it tliere.jjis to be no variation in taxation why not abolish Koad Boards and have one general road rale? Those who will oppose the proposed Bill will, however, he two classes. First, the largo landed proprietors and their friends ; and second, those who desire denominational schools. We trust the friends of secular cdm* a ion will be able to triumph ever and control both. The braachhailways should, in o Ur opinion be constructed by the Government. In the absence of a loan we do not see how they are to he constructed, unless by private compani s; and if the provisions mentioned by the Superintendent are insisted on, wc believe there will bo no o.mo suiou to the passage of the proposed Bill. ” e may, in conclusion, congratulate the Province at the progress made during the past year ; and we trust, as the Superinteuaent mentions I hat, as the Bills and Estimates are ready, the spirit of faction will be laid aside, and the Provincial Council of Otago show how well Government business can bo transacted, and how cheaply and expeditiously I'rovincial Councils can manage local affairs. A short business-like session will (.o more to prove the vitality and useful ness of Provincialism in Otago than any resolutions or Superin ter dental addresses.