The Globe. SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 1879.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1594, 29 March 1879, Page 2

The Globe. SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 1879.

The Christchurch City Council liave a happy way of doing those things which they ought not to do, and leaving undone those things that they ought to have done. They are considerably helped in thoir efforts in this direction by thoir newly acquired idea that they are a great political body into whoso hands have been entrusted not only the interests of the City of Christchurch, but the goneral interests of the colony at largo. Tho temptation to launch vaguely into space is no doubt considerably heightened by the fact that thoir own immediate business has lately acquired a habit of going to the bad with amazing rapidity. When a man's fireside is not as comfortablo as it might be, ho ofton rushes wildly into the pot-houso over tho way in order to discuss, with fellow-sufferers, the affairs of the Empire, and to drown in beer and vague generalities the remembrance of domestic discomfort. It is possibly from some such reason as this that tho Christchurch City Council have lately been busying themselves, in not only sketching out plans for the formation of a vice-regal establishment in Christchurch, but in sending to tho various Municipalities and County Councils a circular asking these bodies to co-operate in obtaining the removal of tho next session of Parliament to this city. Undeterred by the fact that the administration of city affairs is carried on, at tho present moment, less efficiently than it has been for years; undeterred, too, by the fact that their meetings are bocoming a byword ; and that, in such a simple matter as the re-organisation of their staff, they have proved themselves hopelessly at sea; the City Council has taken upon itself to urge matters, which aro of colonial import alone, on the General Legislature of tho colony. Let us examine for a moment tho question of tho removal of the next sitting of Parliament to Christchurch, unbiassed by the views of many, who, we hold, have not considered the matter in its proper light. In the first place the quertion is strictly a colonial one. It is not a question whether this or that town shall grow rich through the increase of trade, and expenditure brought about by a peripatetic parliament paying a visit to the district. No doubt it is always agreeable to attract trade to one's own locality. But aro we to look upon the Colonial Legislature in this petty huckstering spirit ? Tho affair is none of tho Mayor's or of the City Council. When the Government offices wore removed from Auckland, they were not moved to Wellington on a motion of the body analagous to the Council of that city. A commission took in hand tho highly important and onerous task of fixing on the spot most suitable for the seat of Government, bearing in mind imperial interests, the goneral good of the whole colony of New Zealand, and the fact that it was obvious that Auckland could, in no sense, be looked upon as tho centre of the colony, either geographically or otherwise. Tho Assembly would naturally have treated as an impertinence a petition from Wellington endeavouring to bias the views of the Commissioners. Wellington rejoiced at the gift that came from above, and Wellington was made by that gift. But it had no more power, or no more right to influence tho Commissioners in their choice, than a lodging housekeeper at tho sea side has to attempt to bully a visitor into establishment. Tho Christchurch City Council aro not a colonial but a municipal body, and thoy have fallen into tho egregious error of thoroughly mistaking thoir functions. Even from tho Mayor's own point of view, what advantage would be ultimately gained by Christchurch ? One session would be held at Christchurch, and then the legislative Wandering Jew would pass on to Dunedin, thence perhaps to Auckland, and would finally make the tour of tho colony, like an opera troupe or a company of acrobats. If the Mayorthinks that the various towns he has appealed to would be coutont to see Parliament permanently settled in Christchurch ho must possess amazing viridity. Besides, tho Council aro holding up Christchurch in the pitiful light of a city which takes no thought of the gonoral interests of tho colony, but is anxious to secure for itself an advantage for the mero sake of the pounds, shillings, and penco that may fall into its coffers through tho transaction. Is it a dignified attitude for Christchurch to assume, this of begging on its knees for a pecuniary benefit P We yield to

none in lovo for our own town, and would bo delighted to see Parliament permanently settled here, if tho General Assembly were to find that circumstances geographical and otherwise, justified the removal. But wo grieve that the Council is so foolish as to have mistaken its functions, and so dostituto of all natural dignity as to have fathered tho circular issued by tho Mayor. Times are bad no doubt, and tho money market is very tight. But are wo to call to Parliament and say, " Come hoi'o that we may bleed tho members for six months; we arc hard up; wo want tho price of lodgings raised, and a general fillip given to trade." Why the request is worthy of an itinerant apple-woman of mature years and unvonerablo aspect, seeking to supplement a failing income by solicitation of charity at tho stroot corners. Lot the cobbler stick to his last. Parliament is quite capable of managing its own affairs. Tho frog that attempted to swell to tho size of a bull burst in tho attempt, lot us remind the City Council. Lot us give a piece of good advice to that body. Lot it attend to municipal affairs. Lot it look to the health and comfort of the inhabitants. Let it see that municipal contracts are thoroughly carried out and the ratepayers' money not squandered. Lot it conduct its meetings with dignity and propriety. Let it cease attempting to walk on its hind legs like a circus horse round the political arena. Its early training has not adapted it to such performances. It only makes itself ridiculous. Its character for dignity is not so high that it can afford to play ducks and drakes with the remnant that is loft.