The Globe. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1876.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 697, 13 September 1876, Page 2

The Globe. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1876.

As we conjectured last week, the session bids fair to come to an end without the Counties Bill—the last almost of that string of new constitutional measures introduced by the Premier —becoming law. More than two months have elapsed, since the newly-elected M.H.E.s, fresh from the hustings, full of pledges and good intentions rushed off to Wellington. What has been the result? Nothing, and perhaps worse than nothing; in fact, retrogression. With a large working majority at their elbows, the late Grovernment have, so far, failed to carry out one single measure of their own, succeeding only in defeating their opponents on questions entirely raised by the latter. On one or two occasions indeed, notably during the central gaol debate, it was made clear that there was something wrong in the temper of the middle party, which all the efforts of the whips could not succeed in smothiug down. Last year, Abolition having theoretically been affirmed by a large majority, it was understood that during the ensuing recess, the theory would be moulded into practical shape, in the form of new enactments embodying the principles of central government, together with the localisation of revenues, and increased powers to Boards and Municipalities. Hon. members, verily, “ went and saw but “ they did not conquer.” Not only things are now left, at the tail end of the session, absolutely as they were when the last Parliament was prorogued, but the work of constitution-framing, which was carried out with great labor, it is said, between the two meetings of the Assembly, has been entirely wasted, the result having found its way in the Parliamentary waste-paper basket. What governs the country just now, is that which

waa hurriedly passed last year as a matter of temporary expediency, viz: the Abolition Act of 1875. And vve perceive very little likelihood indeed of anything else taking its place before next session. Constitutions do not spring up like mushrooms, in a night, especially when such elements of discord and disorder, as now exist in Wellington, are found in Parliament. So far as can be seen, this Abolition Act, such as it is, will have to be utilised during the coming period of recess, unless, as a means of conveniently calming the troubled waves of public opinion in certain obnoxious quai’ters, provincialism be allowed to rule once more for a few months longer. It is probable that the former mode of conducting the affairs of the country would be resorted to instead of the latter. The Act in question is doubtedly very bare and somewhat crude, yet it makes sufficient provision, for general administrative purposes, to enable the Government of the day to carry on public business satisfactorily, for a short period at least. Matters of official and departmental routine would be dealt with in the meantime, exactly as they are now, with this exception, that the authorities at Wellington would be substituted for the Provincial Ministers, and that these departments would be controlled from there, being in no manner disturbed from their usual channels. The only reasonable plea urged in favor of another temporary lease of lifei'being granted to Provincial administration—and that only in lieu of the abolition measures which have been rejected, and pending the procreative results of the recess —is the one adduced by a Wellington contemporary, that Provincial Councils, if allowed to meet once more, might give valuable suggestions, and offer practical hints, as to what kind of local government should be substituted in the room of provincialism. Notwithstanding the ravings of some of the Otago and Auckland men, whose proclivities in favour of the old order of things are of such a nature as to blind their common sense, as well as to nullify whatever modicum of patriotism they may possess, it may be possible that another meeting would have the desired effect. As things are now tossed about on the floor of the House of Representatives, it is beyond the power of anyone to predict, with anything like tolerable accuracy, what the next few weeks may bring. The most important feature of the last month has been, not so much the resignation of the late Premier, nor the blunder committed by the new administration in almost disqualifying themselves, but the loss of time, of that invaluable time, during which petty scrambling for office or miserable squabbling over wretched little technicalities has been the order of the day. The estimates even have scarcely been touched. When they are introduced for discussion, the House will be too impatient and fagged out to bestow much attention on any but one or two chance items. And what will be the fate of the small Bills, of the private Bills, and of the much needed amendments to measures, such as the Bankruptcy, Coroners, and other similar Acts ? Hansard has already reached its twentieth number ; a viretable mountain of small type, dressed in blue, which has failed to bring forth even the smallest shadow of what Parliament was called together to produce, a new constitution.