The Evening Star MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1875.

Evening Star, Issue 3952, 25 October 1875, Page 2

The Evening Star MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1875.

Among the chief topics that will come under discussion at the next election j AV iU he that ot self-government; a phrase very much used b} T politicians of various opinions to signify by each his own particular theory. Sinking the wide diflcrcnccs that, sooner or , huer, must place in opposition to each other the politicians who have undertaken a crusade against uniting the various Provincial Governments in one, we shall on Wednesday evening hear glowing descriptions of the blessings that have been enjoyed in the past, and that would accrue in the future from that form of so-called self-govern-ment named Provincial. There must be a charm in the name that tends to lead to forgetfulness of its working. Provincialism has been the panacea prescribed by political quacks for every evil or fancied evil that has afilicted the Colony. If a section of the people imagined, themselves neglected by the “ powers ” of the day, they flew to the Central Government I for redress ; and, if nd'amnial enough, were rewarded with the disguised bless-ing—self-government. Yet Provincialism has never given universal satisfaction 3 although, in the early days of the Colony, we know of no form of governmentso well adapted toits needs. It met with very qualified approval in the Imperial Parliament when first the system was proposed, but in deference to Sir George Grey’s opinions Lord Grey forbore to press his own, although not in accordance with the Governor’s 3 and the Provincial form of Government was established at Sir George’s suggestion, being principally based upon an Ordinance passed ii? the Colony for the purpose. Provincialism came into existence in 1852, so that the Colony has enjoyed its blessings for somewhat less than a quarter of a century. Por ten years or more after its colonisation New Zealand was, in the words of Savainson, “ one undivided Colon}',” governed by appointees of the Crown, Naturally this form of government was distasteful to Pritons accustomed to a voice in the levying and spending of taxes ; yet it is somewhat remarkable that during that time the country does not appear to have had any Maori wars to drain the savings of t fie people, although there is little doubt that evils had grown up that laid the foundation of future troubles. Possibly it may be worth while to investigate that point at some other time, but our present purpose is to allow thethis lauded Provincialism, the main tename of which in one .form or ulm. is the object of the Cm v-cum Pit?' Herbert and Co.’s crusade, has never answered its purpose : ami only a very few years passed after Auckland, New Plymouth, Wellington, Nelson, Canterbury, and Otago were created Provinces, when it was discovered that there were nooks and crannies that were neglected in the ministration of Provincial revenues. “Self-govern-ment,” as ibus diot'b.utjd, vvts fours not to suit ovary body ; seif was tut. big in one place and too little iu an-

other; so the little selves swelled up and, asserting their own importance, they showed how shamefully they had been neglected, and how much better they could have done for themselves. The Central Government believed them and allowed the Provinces to shed their buds, and from them sprang up Hawke’s Bay, Marlborough, Southland, and lastly Westland. On the theory that Provincial self-govern-ment is worth retaining this budding process should have shown the advantages of it, but unfortunately it only tended to prove the defects of the system. Not one of the off-shoots of the larger Provinces, excepting Hawke’s Bay, has prospered. Southland’s affairs were brought to a dead lock, and re-union with Otago or absolute \ depciidc_co upon Colonial charity was | inevitable. Mr Macandkew thinks j the reunion has been a bad bargain j for Otago. Marlborough and West- j land may be looked upon as pauper 1 Provinces, and we do not know that Auckland is in a better position; while Wellington owes its rising prosperity to the money spent in the Province and City through the latter being the seat of government. These facts are so well known through having been proved in successive parliaments and by official returns, that they will hardly be questioned by the most ardent Provincialist. Ordinary politicians and men of business will naturally ask, “ If these be the results of division, why should the system be perpetuated 1 It is expensive, and has many glaring disadvantages, besides a tendency to general impoverishment, through waste of means and administrative energy. Isolation of territory has proved detrimental to the larger portion of tho Colony—why not try unity ?” It is plain the tendency has been in that direction for some time past, and as far as it has been allowed to go its advantages have been proved. Since the General Government assumed the direction of public works they have been conducted with an energy and unity of plan that were impossible under Provincial management, but which are absolutely necessary to their successful prosecution, Mr Mac Andrew’s beneficial administration of the affairs of the Province has not been owing to the support accorded to him by the Provincial Government. In fact he owes much of his success to the aid given him by the General Government in opposition to the very men with whom he has now formed a most unsatisfactory alliance. It is necessary to remind his admirers of this. He is an able man, but divided public confidence with Mr Donald Reid, who opposed him bitterly on many points of his policy and thwarted him on many more. The prosperity now enjoyed, the increased value of property, the comfortable independence that has tumbled unexpectedly upon many, are not the fruits of Provincial wisdom, and so far as Mr Macandrew has been instrumental in securing them it has been through Ins cordial cooperation with the General Government. Had it not been for the powerful aid of the Colonial Ministry, bis best efforts would have been paralysed by the powerful and bitter opposition to which he was subjected. •We think, therefore, he has committed a grave error in allowing himself to become allied with personal and political enemies, who arc only too glad to have him on their side advocating u tried and condemned system.