The Evening Star MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1875.

Evening Star, Issue 3964, 8 November 1875, Page 2

The Evening Star MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1875.

There would have been little worth notice in Mr Stout’s speech at Caversham had he set himself to work to illustrate the truth of the maxim quoted by him, “Honesty is the best policy.” We quite agree with it ourselves, and although the gathering at Mr Sargood’s store denounced free speaking by the Press, honesty requires that a few words should be written, lest what Mr Stout said, and what he left out, should mislead those who have no means of knowing the value of some of his illustrations and insinuations. We were not present to hear him speak, and are therefore indebted to newspaper reports for knowledge of his utterances. We cannot deal with all that he said in. one article ; and, with the full reports published of Parliamentary proceedings during the session, it ought not to be necessary. But we would suggest to him that a little candor would have divested Sir George Grey and the leaders of the Opposition of much credit that he claims for them, and have done that full justice to the Ministry they have a right to expect from every man. With those matters we will not deal until we have had ample time to quote from authorised documents, for we have no desire that our readers shall be of the class Mr Stout so grossly insulted when he said :

He also was of opinion that a grent many peoi.le were Abolitionists because they had nothing else to think about, and who simply took tht-ir opinions from newspapers which they read.

We wonder how it has come to pass that Mr Stout has attained that intellectual elevation that places him and his theories so far beyond the reach of the Press ; or why his dicta, right or wrong, should bo accepted, while the Press, with equal opportunity of acquiring knowledge with himself, is pronounced by his party either incapable of judging or corrupt. What has the Press to gain by the Abolition of Provinces that should lead to an unanimity of opinion on the subject seldom hitherto known ? Are not its writers likely to be equally sound in judgment with Mr Stout? One illustration will, at any rate, show what the information ho favors the public with is worth. In descanting on tin- advantages of Provincialism, Mr Stout committed himself to the broad assertion that— Th« countne* wind. had adopted the Provincial system were move ciieanly governed than 'hose where it did no- prev il. In proof 0 f this sta'ementho referred to Belgium, which, singular to slate, hud the same number of Provinces as New Zealand.

We could hardly credit the correctness of the report on reading it in the ‘ Guardian,’ and thought it must be a joke; but on referring to the ‘ Daily Times ’ we find it in some degree verified, Perhaps on reading what follows, a linking suspicion may be raised that Mr Stout’s statements and references require strict examination, or there is danger of voting for the wrong man at the next election. Referring to the “Statesman’s Year Book for 1875,” we find that—

According to the Charter of 1831, Belgium in “a constitutional, representative, and hereditary monarchy,” the legislative power is vested in the King, the Chamber of Representatives, and ’he Senate, The Royal succession is in the direct male line in the ord>-r of primogeniture. '1 he King’s person is declared sacred ; and his Ministers are held responsible for the acts of the Government. The King convokes, prorogues, and tlis olves the Chambers, and makes rules and orders necessary for the execu tion of the laws. . . , Ho nominates to civil and military offic-.-a. . . . Sanctions and promulgates laws ... in default of male heirs may nominate his successor , . . (but in case of a vacancy) the two Chambers, de-

iberahng together, nominate provisionally the regency. . . , The power of making laws is vested in the Chamber of Representatives ind the St-na'e; the members of both Houses being chosen by the people. ... No meml)t>r oau retain his seat after obtaining a -wlarnd •ffice under the Government, except on being re-elected. . , , Except in special cases resolutions in Parliament are adopted by an absolute majority. The King has the power of convoking the Chambers on extraordinary occasions, otherwise they meet in November and sit forty days. I ho King can dissolve the Chambers simultaneously or separately. I he Chamber of Representatives is composed of deputies chosen directly by all citizens paying a small amount of direct' taxes. The number of deputies is fixed according to the population, and cannot exceed one member for 40,000 inhabitants. In the year 1869 they amounted to 116, elected in 41 electoral districts. The members represent the nation gnurully, and not merely the ‘province or district by which they are nominated. . , . * he members not residing in the town where the Chamber sits recei e during the session an indemnity of 430 francs, or £l7 5s each per month. The members are elected for four years, one-half going out every two years, except in the case of a dissolution, when a general election takes place. . . The Senate is composed of exac Iv one-half the number of members comprising the Chamber of Representatives, and the senators are elected by the some citizens who appoint the deputi s. The senators are chosen for eight years; they retire m one moiety every four years ; but, in case of dissolution, the election must comprise the whole number of which the Senate ig composed. . . . In those Provinces where the Ist of cit.zens who possess the necessary qualification f. ra Senator (viz., paying not le*s than £B4 annually in direct taxes) do* s not itoaoh to the proportion ot one in 6,000 ef the population. i;hat hat is enlarged by the admission into it of chose citizens who pay the greatest am aunt of direct taxes, so that the list shall always contain at least one person who is eligible for the Senate for every 6.000 inhabitants of the Province. The senators do not receive any P.ay- Ihe Executive Government consists of six departments (six Ministers), and besides rhem there are a number of Ministers without portfolios, who form a Privy Council, called together on special occasions by the Sovereign. We are not aware, in this sketch of the constitution of Belgium, that we have omitted one important item, although we have not thought it necessary throughout to give verbatim quotations, and have omitted many things not material in order to economise space. But we ask Mr Stout’s most ardent admirers what support does his Provincial theory receive from these facts ? The kingdom of Belgium may, however, be said to be an offshoot of Provincialism—the nine Provinces of which he speaks, having formed part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands prior to 1830. It is also true there are Provincial Assemblies, but they have no legislative powers, their chief duties being of a municipal and administrative character such as are proposed to be conferred on Hoad Boards by the I ocal Government Bill. Mr Stout’s claim to the cheapness of government, because of Provincialism, therefore falls to the ground, and as to the implied prosperity of the country, we think we can supply a better reason which he has overlooked ; Belgium has been wisely governed since it became a monarchy, and, excepting its shareof the National Debt of the Netherlands, has borrowed mainly for works of public utility, “particularly the construction of State railways.” These have cost on an average £18,208 per mile. There is some little likeness in our proceedings in that respect at any rate, excepting that our railways will only cost one-third of the money. Mr Stout’s opinions regarding the tendencies of European populations to Provincialism, are quite on a par with his Belgian analogy. With the Kingdom of Italy, and the Empire of Prussia staring him in the face, in which minor governments have been subordinated to one supreme authority, it is drawing largely upon the assumed ignorance of his hearers to venture upon such daring statements. It is to be regretted that party spirit should enslave an able man like Mr Stout, for, in consequence of it, the good that is in him is lost.to the community.