WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 1875.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 240, 17 March 1875, Page 2

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 1875.

In a former article we called attention to the unfortunate position in which the colony will be placed in being called upon to discuss a great political question before the scheme of Immigration and Public Works has been finally disposed of. We pointed out that the present parliament is peculiarly unfitted for the discharge of such a task, being totally unacquainted with the state of opinion on the part of the constituences with regard to the proposed constitutional changes. Nor is ft possible, by means of public meetings to obtain any expression of opinion, for the simple reason that no definite scheme has yet been placed before the public, fieyond a general charge against some of the provinces as bankrupt, and, therefore, incapacitated from longer carrying on their functions, Ministers have maintained a remarkable silence on the subject. No carefully prepared scheme, or even putjiue of ft scheme, of local govern*

ment to take their place, has yet been made public. Nor from what we can gather have any steps been taken to prepare such. MTr Vogel is absent in England on the business of the colony, which must occupy his entire time and attention while there, and he is not likely to be able to return to New Zealand till the Assembly is about to meet. His colleagues here, judging from past experience, are not likely to be in possession of his views on this important question, and cannot therefore do anything in his absence. The barrister of colonial reputation, who was to visit every corner of the colony to collect the views of those interested in local self-government, has not, as far as we can learn, yet started on his arduous journey, and how he will be able, in the course of the few months which remain before the Assembly must be called together, to collect the necessary information, and then draft a Bill which shall satisfy the wishes of his numerous clients, it is not for us to say. But we had forgotten. Mr Seed, the Commissioner of Customs, is going to look up the question in Canada. What his qualifications for such a task are, none in the colony except Ministers know. He is a praiseworthy and respected public officer, whom circumstances and industry combined have placed in a comfortable and lucrative public office.It is true that he is accompanied by Mr John Martin, but this gentleman we should say has devoted more attention to speculation in land and public houses in Wellington than to the consideration of grave constitutional questions. But it is a comfort to think that the colony is not to be left entirely to the chapter of accidents in adopting a complete change in its mode of Government. Mr Seed and Mr Martin are not our leading politicians certainly. Probably a dozen pupils of Christ’s College could tell more of constitutional history, and what experience has taught us necessary for the good government of any section of the Anglo-Saxon race than they can; but Messrs Seed and Martin’s notes on local government in Canada will show to the trusting and obedient followers of Mr Vogel, when the Assembly meets, that his promised constitution has not been entirely forgotten. The only, hone is tnaTthe House, obedient as it is to the dictates of Mr Yogel, will refuse to accept such off-handed treatment. We are glad to say that there are rumours of such a contingency, and during the last few days it has been reported in Wellington that the Government are seriously considering the propriety of postponing the question. Should the report prove true, however humiliating it may prove to Ministers, the step will be accepted with satisfaction throughout the entire colony.