The Globe. MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 1874.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 61, 10 August 1874, Page 2

The Globe. MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 1874.

The idea of doing away with the provinces of the .North Island, which has been so lately propounded by the Premier, may vve think most people will agree, be taken merely as a prelude to the destruction of similar institutions in this island. If the Premier can carry his first resolution, and bring the whole of the North Island under one Government, he may then turn round to the South, and say that they must be prepared to undergo the same fate as that of the northern provinces, and bow down to the reign of King Vogel. It is not likely that the Premier’s scheme will be received with very great opposition, as it appears that even during the short time which has elapsed since the delivery of his now famous speeches on the Forests Bill, public meetings have been held at various towns in both islands, and the-tone of the resolutions which have been passed at these gatherings, show that the wishes of those who attended them were towards the total abolition of provincialism. Our telegrams speak of Mr Vogel’s remarks being favorably received by ninetentbs of the population on the West Coast. Certainly they must bo, for what does the abolition of provincialism in this island mean ? Merely that those prodigal counties who have separated from the parent provinces, and who have squandered all the money that they could lay their hands on, should be admitted again to partake of the large incomes which careful management and good statesmanship have secured for some years past, and we hope to come, to the other provinces. Westland wants this road, that tramway or some other public work, and the people see no means of getting it out of the Canterbury Government, so they naturally cry out. for the abolition of all the provinces,and a general scramble for (he revenue. In the words of the American gentleman rendered famous by our greatest author they, “ would run a moist pen slick through everything, and start afresh.” Mr Vogel may see before him years of power, and office, if be can succeed in carrying out his sweeping measures; and the main opposition to bia schemes must come

rom Canterbury and Otago. The members for the different districts in these provinces, are the men to whom we must look to delay the evil day for as long as practicable, and to secure for the great southern provinces the enjoyment of their land fund. The whole question will virtually resolve itself into a fight as to who shall be the recipients of this large sum of money annually, and whether the provinces shall be allowed to spend the money raised from their own lands, in the pushing forward of public works, on the ground from whence the means to carry them on Have been raised, or whether the yearly receipts from the land fund shall be swept into the voracious maw of Mr Vogel’s government, the most money swallowing government that the southern hemisphere has ever seen. Few people will deny, that the question is one which affects this province to a degree scarcely equalled by any other, and the attitude of the various Canterbury members, in reference to ttio proposals which will be made next session, must bo very carefully watched. The want of a regularly organised opposition is now certain to be felt with double force, when such a vital question as this has to ho dealt with ; and it is not yet too late, if the members of the House of .Representatives will throw aside petty personal jealousies, and ignore private quarrels, to show that tiie South Island will defend, as long as possible, the laud fund, that is the very life blood of the colony.