The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 1875.

Evening Star, Issue 3871, 21 July 1875, Page 2

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 1875.

Parliament has met, and the Governor has spoken. What he said was reported by this journal last evening. It was not much : nobody expected that a dying Parliament would burden itself with too much business, for the attention of those members who propose continuing to legislate is now, perhaps, as much occupied with the hustings in prospective ns with the duties immediately before them. His Excellency's iirst remarks inform the public of the opinion lie lias formed of the condition and prospects of the Colony, so far as his personal observation goes; and it coincides with that of Ids predecessor, that as far as it is developed the industrial scheme lias proved successful. He views its cost as any clear-headed mercantile man regards it. Pail ways and other public works have cost a heavy sum, and for their formation the Colony has incurred a heavy debt, but that is not likely to prove burdensome, because the increase of population has caused considerable addition to the revenue, and, wherever the railway lines admit of traffic, the receipts indicate that there is every likelihood of their repaying, even in the first instance, more than interest on the outlay, This is more than the most sanguine of the supporters of the scheme calculated upon. They thought it^ quite possible there would he some slight deficiency, which would have to be paid out of the general revenue. Imt that the indirect advantages would immeasurably outweigh the slight extra charge. One of those indirect benefits, although not claimed as a result, is alluded to iu the altered relations of the Maories to the colonists. No longer enemies, they are seekiug participation in the benefits of industry and education. As we years ago predicted, the King Natives are tired of self-inflicted isolation, and peace has conquered where war was powerless. The question of the abolition of Provincialism is opened move widely than was foreshadowed by the resolution of last session ; and it is now made, not merely a partial one, relating to the Northern island, but a Colonial one. Before expressing an opinion regarding the Government.s proposition to change the term of government, we should like to see the Bill ; as we look upon it that, before it ought to receive the support of (he South, provision should be made for the localisation of our land fund, in ratification of the compact of 1850. That done, few will regret the death

of our local parliaments. No difficulty is experienced in governing England and most of her Colonies by means of one Legislative Assembly, and we can* not think the people of New Zealand more difficult to deal with than others. We have no idea that this important change will be settled before the meeting of the new Parliament. It will be made an open question, and, however decided, is not likely to affect the present position of the Government. Two measures arc announced that must bo considered of great importance: the readjustment of the representation, including changes in the electoral qualification, and the proposed insolvency law. These will most probably form the leading features of the session, and should be carefully considered by the country as well as by the House. That changes are urgently required in each of these matters has long been admitted. Many persons are now excluded from voting who are eminently qualified to judge of what is required for the benefit of the country; and many constituencies exercise far greater influence in the House by their representatives than they are entitled to from their populations. These anomalies have grown through the rapidly changing circumstances of the Colony, and, whatever adjustment is made in representation can only be temporary. Tho working of the last insolvency law has been mischievous and expensive. The mercantile world has itself to blame for this to some extent. It is a subject which should engage the earnest attention of the Chambers of Commerce throughout the Colony, and we trust will be carefully considered by them with the view of aiding, and not embarrassing the Government.