The Globe. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1878.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1491, 26 November 1878, Page 2

The Globe. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1878.

After the lamentable failures of tlio Ministry in trying to give substantial shape to the shadows which they had conjured up during the recess, it was broadly stated in well inspired quarters that, beaten on all points as they had been during their late legislative campaign, they will yet show some wonderful trump cards when next the Assembly meet, which cards they hold in reserve for the purpose of electrifying the wavering taxpayer. From what we can hear, two of the most powerful levers wherewith the Cabinet hopes to move public opinion and conciliate it, are, first, an amendment in the Counties Act by which the status of Road Boards and of Counties shall be more practically assimilated, and a new scheme of constitutional reform by which the two islands of New Zealand shall bo provincially divided, with Wellington as as a Federal centre where the Assembly would meet as heretofore, to discuss colonial politics, and carve out what might bo thought to best suit the exigencies and clamour of representatives. A third proposition is, wo believe, rankling in Ministers minds, or at least in that of Sir George Grey, but wo fancy that it will not succeed in assuming a practical shape; We refer to a wish to have the constitution, of the Legislative Council reorganised upon a “ popular” basis by its being made elective, if not by the people, at least in a manner such as was sketched out by Mr. Curtis, the member for Nelson, in his resolution of this year which provided that members of the House of Representatives should have the selection of the future members of the Upper House. Lot that bo as it may, wo only wish, at the present moment, to refer to the question of the federal separation of the two islands, a very largo issue indeed to be placed before the community at the present political period, and one which, before its being settled, must undoubtedly involve an appeal to the country. _ Wo find that one of the earliest post-sessional speeches made by members of the Legislature was delivered in Auckland some days ago by a local member, Mr. Fiedeiick Moss. Now, Mr. Moss is well-known to bo in the coutidouce of Sir George Giey. Ho has acted as a kind of high-class whip during the session, and has since undertaken to conduct one of the Ministerial papers down South, the late manager of which having been bountifully "provided for by the Government during the present month. To Mr. Moss's foreshadowing of coming events, some substantial credit should therefore attach. From his late address to his Parnell constituents wo glean many things which cannot but prove of considerable interest to those who care to watch the quarter from which future Parliamentary breezes are expected to blow. Mr. Moss does not like the present county system, and ho points out that a modified form of provincialism would bo found more suitable to public requirements. Ho makes no secret of the fact “ that Ministers regard the old provincialistic institutions as past reviving,” and suggestively adds that “ the only modification which can bo offocted is the insular separation of the

colony.” The speaker was careful, of course, not to commit the Ministry to those views more than ho could possibly help, but the listener must have certainly been compelled to “ add two and two together and make four.” When the member for Parnell, for instance, exclaimed that “ Many were of opinion that wo might find ourselves with two Governments, one for each island and a Federal Government at Wellington for colonial purposes,” it was impossible not to revert to the old ideas which, it is notorious, have floated for some time past upon the surface of Sir George Grey’s mind, as well as upon that of Mr. Macandrow. “ Something will have to be done to give effect to those opinions,” continued Mr. Moss, “and Sir George Grey has stated that ho would take care that these views should bo fully considered.” To the commonest understanding these utterances cannot fail to possess great significance, Mr. Moss had prefaced his remarks by saying that he was not in the confidence of the Government. The New Zealand Herald, however, the recognised Ministerial organ of the present Government carefully expunged from its report the remarks made by the representative of Parnell on this separation question. This was done of course for some good aud substantially valid reason. Newspapers as a rule do not find it to their interest to shut out from their readers startling items of news or the very essence and pith of what Parliamentary speakers utter when before their constituents. The other local organ, the Star, published Mr. Moss’s remarks in full and without reservation. To our minds there cannot be the least doubt but that Sir George Grey aud his Southern coadjutor, Mr. Macandrew, contemplate urging with all their might and main this federal separation of the colony. Colonel Whitmore and Mr. Sheehan, it is well-known, have always been opposed to the scheme. But they are in the minority, and their other colleagues, Messrs Ballance, Stout, and Fisher, care but little one way or the other, so long as they can, by hook or by crook, stick to the Ministerial Benches. What Mr. Moss says either from the political platform or in the public prints boars with it the imprint of the Premier’s thoughts. To illustrate his moaning, the member for Parnell asserted that the Assembly as now constituted under the abolition regime, was absolutely incapable of doing the work of the colony. Under the present system of centralisation he thinks the departmental officials pull all the strings, and the community at a distance suffers. Wo have heard Sir George Grey make use of these arguments before. Like the feather which indicates the direction of the coming wind, we feel inclined to regard Mr. Moss’s lucubrations as heralding a now Ministerial scheme of constitutional reconstruction. It will be for the constituencies to weigh the matter in their minds, and to try to discover whether any such proposal can suit their interests. As wo said before, it is scarcely possible that so organic a change can be effected without an appeal to the people. Then, without a doubt, ample opportunities would offer to discuss the pros, and cons, of a question which can be scarcely said to have any novelty about it. The glaring differences of opinion which so painfully —and, lot us say, so unconstitutionally—divide the members of the Ministry, aud make the latter anything but a happy family, may, however, have the effect of melting into thin air this and other golden dreams of the groat benefactor of our race.